How Do I Replace the Oil in a BMW 528i?

The 1999 528i is a four-door luxury sedan from German maker BMW. The 1999 528i belongs to the E39 generation of cars and is powered by a straight-six engine. Like all cars, the 528i should receive regular oil and filter changes as part of its routine maintenance. This will ensure a long life for the engine. Changing the oil on an E39 5 Series takes little time using the proper tools and approach to the job.

Things You'll Need

  • Floor jack
  • Jack stand or ramps
  • Socket set and ratchet
  • Torque wrench
  • Screwdriver
  • 7 qts. synthetic oil
  • Oil filter
  • New O-ring for oil filter housing
  • New crush washer for oil drain plug
  • Warm the engine up to operating temperature so that oil will drain out completely. Park the BMW on a flat, level surface. Lift the front passenger side of the car with a floor jack, using the factory jacking point. Lower the car onto a jack stand placed under the front cross member. You can leave the jack in place for added security if you prefer. Alternatively you can drive the front of the car up onto a pair of ramps.

  • Locate the oil drain plug, which is on the oil sump and points down at an angle. Place an oil catch container under the oil drain plug. Use a 17 mm socket to loosen and remove the drain plug. Let the oil fully drain into the container. Loosen the oil cap in the engine bay to speed the process.

  • Locate the large, cylindrical container with a 36 mm nut on top. This is the oil filter housing. Unscrew the 36 mm nut with a socket and ratchet. Remove the cap and the filter as a unit. Remove the filter and then the O-ring located in the cap by gently prying it out with a screwdriver.

  • Install a new O-ring in the cap. Lightly coat the O-ring with engine oil. Install the new filter onto the cap. Make sure all the oil has drained out of the engine and then reinstall and tighten the filter and cap.

  • Wipe off the drain bolt. Remove the old crush washer from the drain bolt. Install a new crush washer on the bolt. Install the drain bolt and tighten it to 21 foot-pounds. Remove the oil cap on the valve cover and pour 7 qts. of oil into the engine. Tighten the oil cap. Start the engine and let it get up to operating temperature or drive it. Ensure there are no leaks.