Well I just got done doing my first oil change and I must say that it was pretty easy. Most small cars these days (my wifes 03 civic) have the filter buried and the 2.3 could not have the filter any easier. The worst part is removing the plastic cover underneath the engine. I think the seperate filter is better than a canister type. I filled the engine with Mobil 1. First time I have gone with this so I hope its worth it.

 

It is. I used it and will use it in the future. Actually, I have to change my oil in the next few days.

BTW Mazda have buy 2 get 1 free oil filters. It comes to $7.50 each

 

Mobil 1 is the best stuff out there, period. No way in hell i'd trust conventional oil inside an engine for 6 months/7500 miles, especially oil as thin as 5w20.

Did you guys worry about torquing the filter housing and replacing the O-rings and all that junk? I'd read a tutorial suggesting it and wasn't sure of the validity. Of course, my 3 has about 1200 miles on it right now, so I have a ways to go.

 

O-rings are very easy to replace so I suggest you change them every time(or every other)

 

Did you have to get the car up a hoist or up a ramp to get at the oil filter? I can change the oil filter on the MPV without going up a ramp but the M3 is a lot lower.
Marty

 

I didn't.
Just take out the 7 screws and 2 of those plastic(i don't know how it's called) that hold the plastic cover. Then loose the small screw on the bottom of the filter to get the oil from the filter out. Put it back when the oil stop dripping and remove the filter.

good luck

 

is royal purple oil any good?

 

Do some research on google. Here's one of the many posts that I found...
http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-messa...&page_number=1