Topside / Partial Oil Changes and Lab Results

FaRKle! · 12-28-2019, 06:12 PM

So for my N47 DIY oil change video I decided to cover both the conventional bottom drain method and topside oil extraction method. One of the things I wanted to see when doing that was just how much oil a topside extractor doesn't get. I was surprised to measure almost a full liter (900mL) of oil still drained out of the bottom after the topside extractor was finished.

When I did the previous oil change before this latest one I used the topside method and recalled that when I checked the dipstick after adding the normal 5.2L of new oil I was past the "full" mark, so I used the topside extractor to draw off some of the new oil till it was at the dipstick "full" mark.

As I usually do, I sent a sample form the latest oil change to Blackstone to see what the effects of having 900mL of old oil were. Below is the report (along with the results from the immediate two previous changes, and one older one past those).

Surprisingly, it didn't seem like there were any negative effects from having old oil in there. My guess is this is because I tend to do my oil changes around the 8000mi mark, and the oil still has plenty of life left at that point.

Of note from my reports, the latest two were using Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5w-30 (discontinued), and the two before that have BMW OE LL-04. The oil from the latest report has three track days, the one prior has four, the one before that has six, and the very first report on the sheet has two track days.

Here's the oil change DIY video if anyone's interested:

cfm56d7b · 12-28-2019, 06:23 PM

Great video.

jimk · 12-29-2019, 10:44 AM

Thanks, great info. I did my last oil change on my N57 the same way and it was effortless. Did the iDrive register an overfilled condition before you extracted the one quart or did you just measure the oil level via the dipstick and adjust?

FaRKle! · 12-30-2019, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimk

Thanks, great info. I did my last oil change on my N57 the same way and it was effortless. Did the iDrive register an overfilled condition before you extracted the one quart or did you just measure the oil level via the dipstick and adjust?

Idrive didn't say I had overfilled the oil. It was only by checking my dipstick that I saw how full it was and decided to draw some off.

exE36M3 · 12-30-2019, 12:15 PM

Man SO wish the stupid N55 motors still had a dipstick. My Griot oil extractor is only getting a workout from my wife's Mazda SUV.

12-28-2019, 06:12 PM	#1
FaRKle! Brigadier General 4017 Rep 3,540 Posts Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 35 [0.00] 2017 BMW 328dx Wagon [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Topside / Partial Oil Changes and Lab Results So for my N47 DIY oil change video I decided to cover both the conventional bottom drain method and topside oil extraction method. One of the things I wanted to see when doing that was just how much oil a topside extractor doesn't get. I was surprised to measure almost a full liter (900mL) of oil still drained out of the bottom after the topside extractor was finished. When I did the previous oil change before this latest one I used the topside method and recalled that when I checked the dipstick after adding the normal 5.2L of new oil I was past the "full" mark, so I used the topside extractor to draw off some of the new oil till it was at the dipstick "full" mark. As I usually do, I sent a sample form the latest oil change to Blackstone to see what the effects of having 900mL of old oil were. Below is the report (along with the results from the immediate two previous changes, and one older one past those). Surprisingly, it didn't seem like there were any negative effects from having old oil in there. My guess is this is because I tend to do my oil changes around the 8000mi mark, and the oil still has plenty of life left at that point. Of note from my reports, the latest two were using Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5w-30 (discontinued), and the two before that have BMW OE LL-04. The oil from the latest report has three track days, the one prior has four, the one before that has six, and the very first report on the sheet has two track days. Here's the oil change DIY video if anyone's interested: __________________ -328d Wagon Build Log (with helpful reference links) -My YouTube Channel for some of the best DIYs and in depth information Please don't PM me for suspension recommendations unless interested in paid private consultations.
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12-28-2019, 06:23 PM	#2
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5886 Rep 10,256 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Great video.
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12-29-2019, 10:44 AM	#3
jimk Captain 104 Rep 934 Posts Drives: 2018 M550i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Camarillo, CA iTrader: (8)	Thanks, great info. I did my last oil change on my N57 the same way and it was effortless. Did the iDrive register an overfilled condition before you extracted the one quart or did you just measure the oil level via the dipstick and adjust?
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12-30-2019, 12:15 PM	#5
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Man SO wish the stupid N55 motors still had a dipstick. My Griot oil extractor is only getting a workout from my wife's Mazda SUV.
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