I just purchased a 2002 BMW 330i with 21K on it. I want to go ahead and change the oil and do anything else that I may need to do to make sure I am up to date on all service (I don't have the full history of previous oil changes).

What oil and oil filter should I really use?

Any tricks I need to know about for changing the oil?

Do I need to do any other maintainence just to be safe (whether on my own or take it to someone)?

Thanks for your help!!!! I'm new at this but learning fast! :redspot

I believe regular maintenance is still covered on your car--up to 4 years and 50K miles. The oil change indicator on your car probably doesn't come on until 15,000 miles, and most here would advise you to do your own oil change halfway into that interval. Thus, the car gets fresh oil and filter every 7.5K miles while you pay for every other one.

You should order a Bentley's manual if you plan on doing any work on your e46. Maintenance parts are readily available through the sponsors of this forum (and others online). BMW's synthetic 5W30 works just fine and is reasonably priced. Other oils you may want to try include Mobil 1 0W40 or 5W40, Castrol Syntec 0W30. Look for the oil to meet BMW's LL01 spec (it should say it right on the back of the bottle). Best filters to use are OEM--from the BMW dealer, or Mann or Mahle from online sources.

Finally, if you haven't already, join BMWCCA (BMW Car Club of America). Their monthly magazine has lots of good articles and help tips, and, as a member, you get a discount from most dealers on parts and service.

Thanks for the advice, very helpful. Do you know where I could get a Bentley's manual? Does that show you how to do various things in your car (like oil changes, brake fluid replacement, etc?).

I really want to try and do most of the work myself, so thanks for the help. I will bring it in for the 30k service though.

A lot of the bigger vendors sell them. It'll show you how to do about anything you could ever want to do to your car. Very helpful book to have, a must IMO for DIYer's. I know bavarian autosport sells em, but they can be pricey. Might just wanna check out your local Barnes & Noble /Borders. They'll have em a lot of the time.

castrol 10w 60

Try amazon.com The Bentley's e46 manual is huge (>1,400 pages) and expensive (lists for $130), but amazon has it for about $80.

As far as oil goes, everyone has their favorite. DRW's suggestion of using 10W60 is sincere, but it's an oil that's needed by the e46 M3's s54 engine. That engine has been known to spin bearings from a lack of oil protection at high rpms. Therefore, the Castrol 10W60 can only be purchased (I think) at the BMW dealer, and it goes for quite a bit more per quart than other oils that would work just fine in your car. Your m54 calls for an oil that meets ACEA A3 or BMW LL-01 specs.

If anyone is interested in a Bentley Manual, we do carry it. Feel free to drop by :)

http://www.bimmerzone.com/bmwproducts.htm

(The one for the E46 is $79.99 + Shipping)