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      06-21-2012, 04:33 PM   #1
Eurocar11
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Questions for those who have performed a DIY oil change on the N20 engine

For those folks who have already performed a DIY oil change on the N20 (4-cyl) X3 engine, these questions are for you.

1. Exactly how many quarts of oil does the N20 engine take?

2. What is the torque spec for the oil pan drain plug?

I do not want to re-ignite the debate about interval oil changes. I plan on doing my own interval oil change soon but could not locate the exact specs for drain plug torque or oil capacity.

Thanks for your help.
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      08-31-2012, 09:25 PM   #2
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I am looking for this information myself with not much luck. I found somewhere a mention about 7 quarts, some say 5. 7 seems a bit much for a 4 cyl engine..
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      09-01-2012, 03:41 PM   #3
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Hi - It took 7 litres as per the book. Yes it seems a lot but that's what it wanted.
Quick and easy - once I found the oil filter "hidden" at the back of the engine bay under the air intake. I only did this one as a precautionary after 4000 miles. Will leave the rest to BMW service plan. It did look like it needed it too!
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      09-02-2012, 07:43 PM   #4
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Since I originally posted the question, I did more research on the web and solved the oil capacity question. The oil capacity is 5.8 liters or 6.1 U.S. quarts.

I did the initial oil change and checked the oil level via the I-Drive. Oil level was dead on.

Where did I find this information? A web site called Automobile-Catalog.com. Look for the link to "Specifications", then search for the car in question.

The 2013 BMW X3 is not listed on the site. However, knowing that the N20 engine is also in the X1, F30 and F10 models, I looked up the specs for those cars and that's where I discovered the information.

The torque spec for the oil drain plug is still a mystery. I just "guessed" that the torque would be the same as the oil filter housing (25 N-m or 18 ft/lbs). So far no leaks.
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      09-03-2012, 09:53 PM   #5
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That website is a great find, thanks!
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      09-04-2012, 03:58 AM   #6
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Just to say 6.1 U.S. quarts is not 5.8 litres but is 6.9 litres ...... (No its not see below Wrong!)
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Last edited by plymjack; 09-04-2012 at 10:59 AM..
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      09-04-2012, 04:43 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plymjack View Post
Just to say 6.1 U.S. quarts is not 5.8 litres but is 6.9 litres (nearly 7 as I previously quoted).
I think you'll find it is 5.8L. 6.9L is 6.1 imperial quarts not US quarts. 1 US gal = 0.83 imperial gal
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      09-04-2012, 10:58 AM   #8
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According to sources, the operating fluids capacities of this version of 2012 BMW X3 xDrive20i Steptronic are as follows:

Engine lubricant oil capacity:

5.8 liter / 6.1 U.S. qt / 5.1 imp. qt

Engine coolant capacity:

7.5 liter / 7.9 U.S. qt / 6.6 imp. qt

Fuel tank capacity:

67 liter / 17.7 U.S. gal / 14.7 imp. gal

So I will shut up again.....
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      03-09-2013, 06:03 PM   #9
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My local dealer says the oil change capacity is 5.1 quarts for the 2013 X3 with the 2.0L 4 cylinder turbo N20 engine. I just changed the oil with that amount and the level is at max.
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      03-16-2013, 12:45 PM   #10
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does anyone know which oil filter wrench fits on the X3 n20 engine? Is it a specialty tool or can we use an oil filter wrench from the local auto parts store? Thanks!

~p
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      03-21-2013, 01:19 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pyratio View Post
does anyone know which oil filter wrench fits on the X3 n20 engine? Is it a specialty tool or can we use an oil filter wrench from the local auto parts store? Thanks!

~p
This is what I use:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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      12-22-2018, 02:23 PM   #12
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This is the best N20 engine oil change video I have seen for my 2014 X3




All torque specs are included which are both 25NM. This is the easiest modern oil change I have done. Thank you BMW!
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      12-23-2018, 05:37 AM   #13
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My BMW dealership charges $90 to change the oil in my X3. That includes all parts, labor. It also includes a free loaner car to drive all day while they change the oil. It also includes a chef cooked breakfast or lunch. Oh, and a full detail.

What does it cost to do at home using BMW parts? $70 for 6 quarts of BMW Twinpower Turbo oil. $15 for an oil filter. We're at $85 in parts, not including labor and oil disposal.

I see no point in changing it yourself.
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      12-23-2018, 08:25 AM   #14
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Not all stealerships are the same, Rick. Think mine charges $150-200 for an oil change, and I'd be lucky to get their Keurig to work to make a cup of coffee while I wait in the "lounge" (really just chairs sitting by the sales floor) and try to dodge salespeople wanting to push me to another vehicle purchase.

Oh yeah, a full detail would be an extra $200 on top of that, thank you.

I can get the materials needed (LL-01 certified oil and a Mann filter) for around $40. Disposal is free at the local parts stores. I'll continue doing oil changes on my own....I like turning wrenches and getting to know my vehicles anyway.
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      12-23-2018, 05:08 PM   #15
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Did you buy your car from BMW (new or CPO) or from some used car lot? When you buy from BMW they treat you like family. When you buy an auction car from Joe's Used Cars you're not family.
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