Int. rearview mirror. + Oil change

[Hellrotten]

1. Mine has some crust at the bottom of the glass, seems as if it's something that seeped from behind the glass. It's like an off white...crust. I cant imagine what that even is. Anyone else have this?


2. I need an oil change, wish I had the time, tools, and money to do it myself, but this'll be my first one. I'll have the chance to do it other times, I'm content to watch for now. What I'm wondering is, at about $150+ for the oil change, should I get a tune up instead? Hasnt had either since I bought it, and my budget is super tight so I have to choose one or the other. Of course the tune up is closer to $250, but can I hold it off?

[TouringDan]

$150+ for an oil change? Are you replacing it with oil that's laced with gold? That's absurd... Stop by AutoZone (or whatever shop is near...) and get the oil filter, then take it to WalMart for the change. With M1 synthetic, I believe the bill will be less than $50.

If the car is running fine, then skip the tune-up for now. But it does bring to mind the question that if you can't afford the basic maintenance of the car, perhaps you're in the wrong car. No crack on you - it's just that with these cars, once the problem crops-up, it's usually too late and the repairs are expensive. Preventative maintenance is nearly a must with ANY old German import.

[strad]

Yes I had that. I scraped it off with a knife. My working theory is that it is dried-up glue.

As for the oil change, how many miles do you have on the oil? As for the tuneup, how many miles on the spark plugs and all the filters? That would be the criteria I would use to decide between one and the other.

Keep in mind that the oil plus the filters is about $80 for the proper materials. The shop has to make some profit on top of that.

[TouringDan]

Keep in mind that the oil plus the filters is about $80 for the proper materials. The shop has to make some profit on top of that.

A Mann filter is $8. The 540 requires 8 quarts of oil. M1 in the gallon jug is $23 at WallyWorld, so figure $46 for the oil, and $8 for the filter.

WalMart charges $55 for a Synth. change (5 quarts) so add $15 for 3 more quarts and you're at $70 - out the door. Link (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=495848)

Don't get me wrong - I despise WalMart, and don't trust anyone to change my oil, but if you gotta do it - don't get robbed.

Edit:
To the OP - I understand that you don't have the tools, but you DO have the money. If you were willing to drop $150 on a change, then you can easily source everything you'd need to do the job yourself for less than that.

Oil - $46
Filter - $8-10
El-cheapo socket set: $20-$30
Oil catch - $15
Ramps: $40
Total: $141 - and you'll only spend that much once.

[russiankid]

I buy oil at Walmart because it is cheaper. I also order several oil filters from Autohaus at once as they are cheap.

[Hellrotten]

Thanks for the info.

BTW, I'm a student, so I cant afford maintenance on any car really. But my car hasnt given a hint of trouble, only had it a month. The idle is quiet, but this morning I noticed a slight little ticking, and I know it needs the oil. I think I'll get that done first, then tune up next month.

[russiankid]

I am a student as well.

[Hellrotten]

I see you also own an accord. I need to get a new second car, to dd. I had an E30...that's no better. I need something like a lil honda, or a nissan or something. so I can let the E34 rest during the week.

[Steve547i]

I work at walmart. Do. Not. Trust. The tire lube express guys.

[bustedbmw]

The crusty white stuff coming from your mirror is glue. I have the same problem. See thermoplastic creep

[Hellrotten]

I work at walmart. Do. Not. Trust. The tire lube express guys.

So, no to Walmart for the oil change?:help

[LouieD]

I wouldn't trust any quick lube place. Period. Oil from WallyWorld ok, but not their labor. What Dan said. If you're a broke student, learn to live like one, which means don't pay some one else to do something you can do. Plan ahead, got a few extra bucks order a couple of filters from one of the vendors. Stay away from any mass marketed filters, get the OE ones. The more you get into the car, the more confidence you will have to tackle the issues that will arise... and they will arise. Invest your money in tools, invest your time in experience working on your car. Unless you have two left hands, I can almost guarantee, that in short time you will have more knowledge about your car than most quick lube guys will ever have.
BTW, Hondas break too. My "back up" car, a pristine 1991 Accord Ex with 55k original miles... the damn thing ate it's distributor the other night. That thing was squealing like a stuck pig... 55,000 miles!!! All original, unmolested! I could write a page-full of Honda-BMW comparisons... they all break.

[Hellrotten]

I wouldn't trust any quick lube place. Period. Oil from WallyWorld ok, but not their labor. What Dan said. If you're a broke student, learn to live like one, which means don't pay some one else to do something you can do. Plan ahead, got a few extra bucks order a couple of filters from one of the vendors. Stay away from any mass marketed filters, get the OE ones. The more you get into the car, the more confidence you will have to tackle the issues that will arise... and they will arise. Invest your money is tools, invest your time in experience working on your car. Unless you have two left hands, I can almost guarantee, that in short time you will have more knowledge about your car than most quick lube guys will ever have.

duly noted

[530V8]

1. Mine has some crust at the bottom of the glass, seems as if it's something that seeped from behind the glass. It's like an off white...crust. I cant imagine what that even is. Anyone else have this?


2. I need an oil change, wish I had the time, tools, and money to do it myself, but this'll be my first one. I'll have the chance to do it other times, I'm content to watch for now. What I'm wondering is, at about $150+ for the oil change, should I get a tune up instead? Hasnt had either since I bought it, and my budget is super tight so I have to choose one or the other. Of course the tune up is closer to $250, but can I hold it off?

That is glue seeping due to deteriorating with time. Just scape it off. The European car makers were one of the first at attempting to go green. Some of the materials like the glue first used were more friendly to the environment, but did not held up over time and you're seeing the results of it, just like the door panels separating.

A DIY oil change should cost under $50 with 8qt. of Mobil 1 and oil filter and half hour labor at most.

A tuneup is pretty simple as well. There are alot of DIY instructions on this here and on other forums. Material can be order online like Autohausaz to due the job. OEM spark plugs are about $3x8, and air fliter is about $15 for a basic tuneup.

[bblazen]

Yeah... The walmart by me is not allowed to touch my car just b/c it is a bmw.. But I do get all of my oil from there and my filter from autozone coast like 40$. Takes 20min to do.

[jbondbmw]

That's a lot for an oil change. I paid $95 for an oil/filter change and labor to put my cabin filter in (I bought the cabin filter for $15 from AutohausAZ) at my local BMW dealer. I won't take my 540i to some Wal-Mart or quick lube, they can't even reset the service indicator.

[renemesis]

Is the V8 oil change more intensive than the M30? Cause that just requires two wrenches, an oil drain pan and 15 minutes of your time -- no need to jack the car up or anything.

[bdejong11129]

Maybe if you post where you live (Next to know where is no help) there will be a member that would be willing to lend a hand. I know I would. If you are near me let me know and we can get it done.


Is the V8 oil change more intensive than the M30? Cause that just requires two wrenches, an oil drain pan and 15 minutes of your time -- no need to jack the car up or anything.

No the V8 is not any more difficult, but for mine unless you are like 5 inches thick you will not get under the car.

[Sherman]

I'm being redundant, but these guys are right. Even now, 15 year into my career, I set a price on my time based on the free time I have and what it's worth to me and price myself against what it costs a shop to do the work. If I'm cheaper I do the work. I also enjoy it, so that knocks a few bucks an hour off my cost.
I would suggest that as a student, you have more time than money, though possibly not much and you will find that 90% of the time it's far cheaper for you to do the work yourself.
The initial outlay for tools is always worth it. Don't count tools into the cost of doing a job unless you will only ever use them once, and if that's the case, rent. A few places here loan tools with a deposit (literally no cost at all!!). They've figured out that lots of people buy a tool, use it once and return it, so they have set a selection of tools aside and just let people do what they will anyway.
Tip1: Buy inexpensive tools with lifetime warranty. They'll be good enough - in fact they'll last you a lifetime. If there's no warranty, walk away.
Tip 2: Buy tools that are safe! Don't skimp on things like jacks. They're holding a 2 tonne vehicle right above your very soft mellon...
By doing it yourself, you'll also know it's done right.

[4500 RPM]

I wouldn't trust any quick lube place. Period. Oil from WallyWorld ok, but not their labor. What Dan said. If you're a broke student, learn to live like one, which means don't pay some one else to do something you can do. Plan ahead, got a few extra bucks order a couple of filters from one of the vendors. Stay away from any mass marketed filters, get the OE ones. The more you get into the car, the more confidence you will have to tackle the issues that will arise... and they will arise. Invest your money in tools, invest your time in experience working on your car. Unless you have two left hands, I can almost guarantee, that in short time you will have more knowledge about your car than most quick lube guys will ever have.
BTW, Hondas break too. My "back up" car, a pristine 1991 Accord Ex with 55k original miles... the damn thing ate it's distributor the other night. That thing was squealing like a stuck pig... 55,000 miles!!! All original, unmolested! I could write a page-full of Honda-BMW comparisons... they all break.

Excellent advice.

[skylinergtr]

it costs me probably around $110-115 to change my oil myself, but thats because i live in CANADA. 2 X 5L jugs of Lubro Moly & 1 MAHLE filter.

[js22]

Wow, it looks like the OP has pulled the advice plug, and its flowing at a good clip. Sorry, I can't resist.

My first concern is that if $150 is more than you can shell out comfortably, this could be a very risky car for you to own - if you don't take care of it, it will notice. As dorky as it sounds, you should plan how much money you can commit to spend per year on maintenance, and how much you could lay your hands on in an emergency. Some searches through this forum will give you a sense of how much people spend.

IMO, BMW owners seem to fall into three categories :

1) People with plenty of money who regularly pay someone else to maintain their car well.

2) People with a modest amount of money, but plenty of curiosity and enthusiasm, who properly take care of their car themselves.

3) People whose car turns into a financial catastrophe.

There's a whole lot of #2 in this place. :devillook

As a student, you may not feel like you have tons of time, but plan ahead a little and you'd be surprised.

A decent set of basic tools is one of the very few things you'll spend money on that you'll back on in a few years and say : "That was definitely worthwhile."

Working on cars is a great social mixer. Get to know some "car people" in you area - BMW or not - and you'll be surprised how helpful and generous strangers can be. Especially when a little beer is involved.

Definitely search the forum and read what's involved in changing your oil and filter. It's really, really not that bad.

[Sherman]

It's funny, people half joking refer to the car 'noticing' or getting annoyed at not being kept up. My first car, that lasted me all through school was a 1970 Volvo 144 (aka Sherman - after the tank). I kept it up as well as I could afford, and I was frequently amazed that when the critical stuff started to slide, like delaying an oil change, other irritations would start to pop up, and at how many of these irritiations would suddenly fix themselves once the critical bit had been taken care of.
It sounds nuts, but cars do have personalities and they do get irritated when they're ignored.

'scuse me while I go take my medication now. :drink3

[T444E]

Yeah... The walmart by me is not allowed to touch my car just b/c it is a bmw.. But I do get all of my oil from there and my filter from autozone coast like 40$. Takes 20min to do.

A 40 dollar filter? Jesus.

And OP, since when is your car a manual"?

[TouringDan]

My first car, that lasted me all through school was a 1970 Volvo 144 (aka Sherman - after the tank).

Just a note about the older Volvos (and I've had a few...):

The engines were derived from Volvo's tractor engines. These were the same engines that were started in the Spring, run for nearly 24/7 through the summer and shut down in the late fall. You really really REALLY have to try to kill off a Volvo 4 cyl. Even if you think you have, chances are if you let it sit a day, it'll start-up again.

Back OT:
BMW's are reliable cars, but they don't suffer neglect well. Once things start to slide, they slide quickly and before you know it - your bill is 4 figures. For parts.

There's some great advice in this thread. Get yourself some tools and a set of ramps. Do the job yourself - it's fun. Trust me. You'll enjoy it. I've been changing my own oil for 23 years and I still like to do it.

Plus, and I'm not B.S.'ing here - chicks dig it. According to my wife's sister (a hotshot D.C. lawyer....) - when she tells her friends in D.C. that I'm a gearhead as well as an all-around handyman, her friends oooh and ah, and they "wish their boyfriends were able to do stuff like that".

[Hellrotten]

Well again, I appreciate the advice. If anyone wants to lend a hand, I live in Atlanta. I actually prefer to do whatever I can, whenever I can. I make time to work on my car, but I'm more of a visual learner than anything else. Well, visual, and tactile. So once I see something done, and maybe help out, I can do it for myself for ever. Even when I search youtube for how to clips, its not the same as standing there with someone and asking questions, and being to ask why this way is better than that way, etc.

[TouringDan]

Well crap dude - come on over! LOL... I didn't know you were local. I live in Tucker and would be happy to help you out. PM me and we'll do it.

ROFL...

There's a slew of us from ATL here.

[4500 RPM]

I'd be glad to lend a hand too but have no tools, other that a floor jack and a drain pan. Probably a better idea to take Shrike up on his nice offer.

[russiankid]

I see you also own an accord. I need to get a new second car, to dd. I had an E30...that's no better. I need something like a lil honda, or a nissan or something. so I can let the E34 rest during the week.

I daily drove my E34 for a year, but the trip was fairly short. Now that I commute over 300 miles a week I drive the Honda to save on gas. If it weren't for the gas, I'd drive the E34.

[LouieD]

Maybe someone has already mentioned this... but for an oil change, the two wrenches you need should be in your tool kit. A drain pain and a curb/sidewalk if you have no ramps... and under no circumstances ever crawl under any car supported by just a jack, much less the OE BMW jack... a.k.a. "The Widowmaker"

edit: I just read Dan's post. We should all be so lucky to live so close to a person of his BMW knowledge.

[russiankid]

Just a note about the older Volvos (and I've had a few...):

The engines were derived from Volvo's tractor engines. These were the same engines that were started in the Spring, run for nearly 24/7 through the summer and shut down in the late fall. You really really REALLY have to try to kill off a Volvo 4 cyl. Even if you think you have, chances are if you let it sit a day, it'll start-up again.

Back OT:
BMW's are reliable cars, but they don't suffer neglect well. Once things start to slide, they slide quickly and before you know it - your bill is 4 figures. For parts.

There's some great advice in this thread. Get yourself some tools and a set of ramps. Do the job yourself - it's fun. Trust me. You'll enjoy it. I've been changing my own oil for 23 years and I still like to do it.

Plus, and I'm not B.S.'ing here - chicks dig it. According to my wife's sister (a hotshot D.C. lawyer....) - when she tells her friends in D.C. that I'm a gearhead as well as an all-around handyman, her friends oooh and ah, and they "wish their boyfriends were able to do stuff like that".

Chicks also dig it when you drive them around in a 20 year old car without a worry in the world. :redspot

[4500 RPM]

M

edit: I just read Dan's post. We should all be so lucky to live so close to a person of his BMW knowledge.

He's knowledgeable and all but it's an oil change. I can do that and I shouldn't be trusted working on cars :rofl

[Sherman]

Just a note about the older Volvos (and I've had a few...):

The engines were derived from Volvo's tractor engines. These were the same engines that were started in the Spring, run for nearly 24/7 through the summer and shut down in the late fall. You really really REALLY have to try to kill off a Volvo 4 cyl. Even if you think you have, chances are if you let it sit a day, it'll start-up again.

Back OT:
BMW's are reliable cars, but they don't suffer neglect well. Once things start to slide, they slide quickly and before you know it - your bill is 4 figures. For parts.

There's some great advice in this thread. Get yourself some tools and a set of ramps. Do the job yourself - it's fun. Trust me. You'll enjoy it. I've been changing my own oil for 23 years and I still like to do it.

Plus, and I'm not B.S.'ing here - chicks dig it. According to my wife's sister (a hotshot D.C. lawyer....) - when she tells her friends in D.C. that I'm a gearhead as well as an all-around handyman, her friends oooh and ah, and they "wish their boyfriends were able to do stuff like that".

Yep, the B20 and derivatives were truly bulletproof. Had 4 of them between .25M and .5M miles.

[Stir Fry A Lot]

+1 on all the tools being in you trunk. I couldn't get any rack time for my last oil change so I zipped over to my mom's driveway and knocked it out in about 20 minutes using just what was in the trunk and an old jack sitting in her garage. Just don't use the jack in your trunk. Buy a little one at VatoZone that comes w/ jackstands and you're good to go. My wife can change her own oil, so can you.

I'd take Shrike up on his offer just to get within eyeshot of that sweet ass touring of his.