BMW E92 Oil Change (328i & 335i)
The oil change is the single most valuable bit of DIY on an E92 — and BMW made it clean with a top-side cartridge filter, no spin-on mess. The job is the same in principle on the N52 (328i) and the turbo N54/N55 (335i); only the exact oil and capacity differ. Here's how to do it right and reset the service reminder afterwards.
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Know your engine first
This guide covers the N52 (328i) and N54/N55 (335i). The E92 M3's S65 V8 is a different procedure with its own oil, capacity and a baffled sump — don't follow this for the M3. Confirm your engine, then match the oil spec and capacity to it (see the table below) before you start.
Oil, Capacity & Torque
Match these to your exact engine — figures are typical, verify yours.
| Engine | Oil spec | Approx. capacity |
|---|---|---|
| N52 (328i) | BMW LL-01, 5W-30 | ~6.5 litres |
| N54 (335i) | BMW LL-01, 5W-30 | ~6.5 litres |
| N55 (335i) | BMW LL-01, 5W-30 | ~5.5 litres |
Drain plug torque is roughly 25 Nm and the filter cap around 25 Nm — don't overtighten either (both are easy to strip). Always fill to the dipstick/electronic gauge rather than trusting the listed capacity exactly, and use a fresh aluminium crush washer on the drain plug. For oil choice, see our E92 best oil guide and the general BMW oil guide.
What You'll Need
Most of it you'll reuse for every future change.
Step-by-Step
Warm oil drains faster and cleaner.
Warm Up & Lift Safely
Run the engine a few minutes so the oil flows freely (warm, not scalding), then shut off. Raise the front on ramps or jack stands on level ground — never just a jack. Remove the belly pan / undertray (Torx and a few clips) to reach the drain plug.
Open the Filter First
Up top, undo the filter cap with the cap socket a turn or two and leave it — this lets the filter housing drain back down into the sump and vents the system so the oil drains cleanly below.
Drain the Oil
Position the pan, remove the drain plug, and let it drain fully (give it 10+ minutes). Inspect the old plug and washer. Refit the plug with a fresh crush washer to ~25 Nm — snug, not gorilla-tight.
Swap the Filter
Lift out the cap and old cartridge, renew the O-rings on the cap (lightly oil them), fit the new filter element, and torque the cap to ~25 Nm. Don't cross-thread the plastic housing.
Fill With Fresh Oil
Add most of the capacity for your engine, wait, then check the level. The E92 uses an electronic oil level (and/or dipstick depending on engine) — bring it to full but don't overfill. Refit the undertray.
Run & Recheck
Start the engine — the oil pressure/level light should go out promptly. Let it idle, shut off, wait a few minutes and recheck the level, topping up as needed. Check underneath for leaks at the plug and filter.
Reset the Service Reminder
Reset the oil service in the Condition Based Servicing menu — on the E92 this is done through the dash/iDrive reset procedure (no tool needed). Confirm the oil-service indicator is cleared.
Don't overtighten — and dispose of oil properly
The plastic filter housing and the drain plug both strip easily; use a torque wrench and the ~25 Nm figures. Never work under a car held only by a jack. And take the used oil and filter to a recycling centre or parts store that accepts them — never bin or pour it away.
FAQ
What oil does my E92 take?
BMW Longlife-01 (LL-01) in 5W-30 for the N52, N54 and N55 — match the capacity to your engine (roughly 6.5L for N52/N54, ~5.5L for N55). The E92 M3's S65 uses a different oil and procedure. Confirm your exact engine and see our E92 oil guide.
How often should I change it?
BMW's long intervals are easy on paperwork but hard on these engines — many owners change every 7,500–10,000 miles (or annually) rather than stretching to the factory interval, especially on the turbo N54/N55. Fresh oil is cheap insurance.
Do I need a tool to reset the service light?
No — the E92 oil-service reset is done through the dash/iDrive Condition Based Servicing menu with the car's own controls. No scan tool required for the oil-service reset.
Why loosen the filter cap before draining?
Cracking the top cap open first lets the oil in the filter housing drain back into the sump and vents the system, so everything drains more completely and cleanly when you pull the lower plug.
Can I use this guide for the E92 M3?
No — the M3's S65 V8 has its own oil specification, much larger capacity and a different filter/sump setup. This guide is for the N52 328i and N54/N55 335i only.
The Bottom Line
An E92 oil change is the easiest meaningful service you can do yourself: loosen the top filter cap first, drain, swap the cartridge with fresh O-rings, refill with the right LL-01 5W-30 for your engine, and reset the service reminder from the dash. Use a torque wrench on the plug and cap, change more often than BMW suggests, and your N52 or N54/N55 will thank you. More on the E92 hub and in our E92 oil guide.