Got the Griot's Garage Oil Extractor thingamajig. Changed the filter, pumped the oil out (pump creates a vacuum and the oil travels through a tube inserted into the dipstick from the engine into the reservoir). Pretty cool. No need to get under the car.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b327/fullswing/59c84b62.jpg

That looks freakin great for $65. Have you tried it with success on your e21 yet? if so...I'm buying one on Fri.

Thats cool and all. But I like it the oldskool way. Can you check the drain plug on the pan just for kicks to see if it actually gets all the oil out.

Too late to do the check, as I've put all the new oil in already. Will check the next time, either with the E36 or E21. However, checking does defeat the purpose of not having to get under the car... as oldskool can also mean having the old oil on the old face syndrome :-)

Here's a blurb from the Griot's garage website:http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1007&L3=L3_4500&SKU=10122

Tech Tip

A Japanese magazine (Automechanic, Nov. 1997 issue) tested our Oil Extractor to see if it would be able to withdraw more oil versus draining the oil using the "drain plug" method. Great news! The Oil Extractor was able to withdraw an additional 71ml of oil on a late model Toyota. Due to the ultra tight packaging of engine compartments these days, it seems manufacturers are locating the drain plug in areas that compromise complete oil drainage. You're gonna love changing your oil!

I wouldn't mind doing a test myself - hmmm, I could also measure the oil that I just pumped out... I'll do that tonight.

Benz dealers have an air powered one, they are nice. if you are religious on your oil changes it's not a bad idea........but if you run late every so often it's better to drain the old fashioned way (every so often) to get all the sludge at the bottom those things may miss.