Which oil filter for my 540i?

[goheel]

Hi,
I just bought a 94 540i, and I tried looking up Fram.com for what filter to get, and it says to use CH8157 for early production and CH8213 for late production. How do I know whether my car is early or late production?

[shogun]

Check your VIN number.
And then try here
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?PHPSESSID=2f576ced29477680ec938848d4d39e a1
1994 does not mean absolutely it was built in 1994, you can check the exact month/year of production with the VIN decoder, which is on my website below. That month/year of production is important for the parts numbers.

[goheel]

So the car was produced in 10/93, does that make it an early or late production?

[Tiger]

Just open up the canister and look on the top of filter... if it has plastic and big hole, it is later model. Early model is metal and little or no hole.

[Russell]

If first time go to dealer parts dept. or contact BMA or Autohauz for the proper oil filter. Stay away from Fram and go with a Malhe or Mann filter. IMO, and many others, Fram makes inferior products.

[shogun]

That is strange, Autohaus lists the 540i only from 1994, nothing in 1993. But 10/1993 production means 1994 model.
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/productx.aspx?sid=pesiv1yorik31k45dehwwari&makeid=800003@BMW&modelid=1012431@540I&year=1994&cid=20@Engine%20Parts,%20Seals%20%26%20Gaskets&gid=5340@Oil%20Filter

Oil Filter - Metal ends - With seal rings * Warning! Must check oil filter to see if it has metal ends or plastic ends
Part # : 11 42 1 731 634 $ 9.96
http://www.bavauto.com//assets/product_images/hardpart/11421731634.jpg

Oil Filter - Plastic ends - With Seal Rings * Warning! Must check oil filter to see if it has metal ends or plastic ends
Part # : 11 42 1 745 390 $ 9.95
http://www.bavauto.com//assets/product_images/hardpart/11421745390.jpg

[goheel]

OK, I guess I'll check the filter tomorrow to see whether it's plastic or metal. I'm planning to change the oil using Mobil 1. Should I change the filter whenever I change the oil (which is every 7500 miles), or these filters require more frequent replacement?

[shogun]

It is enough to replace it with evey oil change. Do not forget the other things, here is a good info for beginners
http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/3e36maintainenceframes.htm
switch to 5 series E34

just as a general info about what has to be done etc., no need to follow it exactly with regards to engine oils they use etc.

[goheel]

Where is the oil filter relative to the engine? Sorry, I've only owned this car for less than a week. I think I know where the filter is, but I couldn't open up the top by hand, so I'm not sure if that's the filter or not. The object I'm talking about is located in the front left of the engine, and the oil cap is on the front right.

[fkong777]

I just change oil recently.. pretty messy job.. I had to pump oil out of the filter canister. it didnt drain. Is that normal?

[joshua43214]

Oil filter is in the housing on the the front left. It has a big black plastic cap with a large nut formed into it. You can't turn it by hand, but its not very tight if installed properly.

[goheel]

What size of nut do I need to open it?

[stargazer_61]

36mm socket. You can get one at Sears for less than $7. They are 1/2 inch drive. Be careful using channel locks or a monkey wrench, as they can strip/gouge the plastic.