All right guys, i'm having no luck with the search. Is Castrol SYNTEC the same as BMW oil or is there some other full synthetic Castrol i'm unaware of. Can I just use Mobil 1 which is readily available? Lastly, what weight are you running? In many of the threads I read through, the common answer was "check your owners manual." I don't have one. Can a brotha get some simple answers?!

Oh yeah, i'm guessing that there is nothing particularily special about the oil filter on these cars...are they readily available from any parts store? And one last thing, I read about how to reset the oil change light, where is that plug? Last last thing, can't seem to open my OBD port on the dash, is there some trick to it?

Sean

All right guys, i'm having no luck with the search. Is Castrol SYNTEC the same as BMW oil or is there some other full synthetic Castrol i'm unaware of. Can I just use Mobil 1 which is readily available? Lastly, what weight are you running? In many of the threads I read through, the common answer was "check your owners manual." I don't have one. Can a brotha get some simple answers?!

Oh yeah, i'm guessing that there is nothing particularily special about the oil filter on these cars...are they readily available from any parts store? And one last thing, I read about how to reset the oil change light, where is that plug? Last last thing, can't seem to open my OBD port on the dash, is there some trick to it?

Sean

I think you'll read a lot of posts swearing by this or that synthetic. I've read that BMW is Castrol. I suspect any full synthetic you pick and stick with will treat your engine well.

http://e38.org/Synthetic%20Oils.pdf

Owner's Manuals
1997 7-series Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/1997Manual-7Series.pdf)
1997 BMW 5-series Radio and Information Systems Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/e39/BMW_E39_Radio_OBC_MID_Manual.pdf)
1999 7-series Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/1999Manual-7Series.pdf)
1999 7-series Protection Model Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/1999Manual-7Series-Protection.pdf)
1999 Navigation Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMW-04_99-7-series-Nav-manual-en.pdf)
2000 7-series Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/2000Manual-7Series.pdf)
2000 BMW 7-series Owner's Guide Interactive CD (130MB iso CD image) (http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/jcarey/7Series_User_Guide.iso)
2000 Navigation Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMW-03_00-Nav-system-manual-en.pdf)
2001 7-series Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/2001Manual-7Series.pdf)
2001 BMW E38 audio users guide (MP3) (http://e38.org/750AudioProg.rar)
2001 BMW E38 sales training videos (http://e38.org/e38trainingvideo/)
2003 Bluetooth ULF Owner's Manual (http://e38.org/ULFOwnerManual.pdf)
2004 Navigation Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMW-2004-NavOwnersManual.pdf)
2005 BMW Bluetooth Users Manual (http://e38.org/Bluetooth_I-Bus.pdf)
BMW E38 Guide to Features and Operations Video (http://e38.org/7series.wmv)
BMW TV module owner's manual: basic operations (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMW_TV_Module_Owners_Manual.pdf)
Business MID Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMWBusinessMID.pdf)
CMT3000VR Cellphone Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/bmw_cmt3000vr.pdf)
CPT8000 BMW Phone Operation (PDF) (http://e38.org/cpt8000_BMW_phone_operation.pdf)
CPT8000 Timeport General Info (PDF) (http://e38.org/cpt8000_timeport_general_info.pdf)
CPT8000 Timeport Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/cpt8000_timeport_manual.pdf)
Homelink UGDO Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/hlmanual.pdf)
Mark IV Navigation Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMW_nav_owners_manual2004.pdf)
Voice Control Owner's Manual (PDF) (http://e38.org/BMW-03_00-Voice-Control-en.pdf)

That's what I suspect as well, but it doesn't seem like anyone gives a straight answer. Well, not entirely true...but close.

Sean

OBD cover clips from underneath, be gentle as the clip breaks easily. Castrol 5w30 is the factory fill according to my castrol rep. They recommended that if u go mobil one u use 0w40 in place of 5w30 - viscosity rating difference. Oil rating should apply to ambient temp an useage.
use a good quality oil filter - there are good one and not so good ones. reset is done under hood on right side see http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1591 make sure it applies to your vehicle.

Sean,
In case you have not yet done so already, answers to your questions (oil weight, filter, reset & OBD II port) are readily found here: www.e38.org
I have this link bookmarked for my own quick reference for FAQs.

Okay, as far as the OBD port on the console: Insert the little finger of your right hand, palm facing the steering wheel, under the OBD port cover, gently feel around and you will feel a ridge which runs parallel with the dash. Press slightly forward (towards you) on the back of that ridge and the bottom of the OBD port will swing towards you. The top has two small tabs which permits the cover to swing forward and out.

Don't use a lot of force, use a lot of finesse. It works. Don't use a screwdriver as my Smog Check guy did, as it will very quickly break the plastic clip. If you do break the clip somehow, save the wood, as the clip only costs like $7 - $8 to replace, but the wood must be pressed back on.

Filters are specific to the e38 and come with a new O ring and brass crush washer. BMW sells 5W-30 for $5.00/quart. Oil change is easy, just remember to replace the crush washer and O ring.

jake

Thank you gentlemen...aaaahhhhh, simple answers. I do have the e38.org bookmarked so, i'll have to remember to search there as well. Used to the Impala forum where everything is under one roof and any question not easily located in a search is quickly answered when posted. It kind of defeats the purpose of being on a forum if you need help and the reply is "check another forum." There's a lot of odd rules on this forum too, but...whatever.

Sean