I just did the first DIY oil change on my '06 550i, using oil and a filter kit purchased from the local dealer who's been servicing the car. I last got a dealer oil change 5,000 miles ago under warranty maintenance. The car has 39K miles.

When I opened up the access panel and got to work, I noticed two things:

-The 6mm filter drain plug was so frozen onto the plastic filter assembly that the 6mm Allen wrench rotated the whole filter assembly right off the engine by itself. When I had it out on the bench, I had to apply ice to the metal plug to get it to contract enough that I could back the plug out (the engine was warm/hot when I was doing all this). I'm fairly sure it had not been taken out 5,000 miles ago given the way it was welded on there to the assembly. Okay, maybe the dealer doesn't bother with that drain and just pulls the filter assembly....

-No metal crush washer was installed on the main 8mm main drain plug - not stuck to the pan, not fallen into the oil catch pan, just not there at all.

Since there were no leaks and I corrected this stuff, I'm not too worried about it now. The oil change itself was very straightforward.

I'm just wondering if this type of thing is a common experience.

-cokeefe