Who are they kidding

[JGP]

I stop at a local BMW dealer this afternoon to inquire and purchase an oil filter wrench that would accomodate the R1200R. No problem they had one in stock, that is when I began to shutter, retail price $86.00.......yes, $86.00. What are they thinking?

Any other suggestions to the over the top BMW oil filter wrench?

jgp

[LeonardoNYC]

was it $86 for the plastic one that came with the kit? In any case it shouldn't cost $86 unless it was solid gold...one of the few things that irks me about the BMW marque is stuff like this. When I had my R1100R I went through brackets for the touring shield about every two years or so. It was an angled piece of metal for about $42 and change. Usually two failed each time and it wasn't the money so much but the fact that this part probably cost them $2 to produce.

[snowprick]

I stop at a local BMW dealer this afternoon to inquire and purchase an oil filter wrench that would accomodate the R1200R. No problem they had one in stock, that is when I began to shutter, retail price $86.00.......yes, $86.00. What are they thinking?

Any other suggestions to the over the top BMW oil filter wrench?

jgp

Here you go...

http://www.marcparnes.com/BMW_Uni-Oil_Filter_Wrench.htm

[NeilS]

Here's a lower cost alternative that works well.

http://store.bobsbmw.com/index.asp?Page ... rodID=2128

[dirty red]

Several months back I was lying on the floor of my garage looking at my oil filter wondering if I had something on hand that would remove it as I was going to the BMW dealer the next day. Remembering how much it hurt to pay $30 something for one that wouldn't fit this bike. I had several caps/acorn types but would one fit. I was even attempting to alter one of them that was made out of ABS. I had two band clamps a large one and a small one with a red handle. I knew the large one was out and figured if the small one wasn't I'd never be able to get it in there anyway. As it happened, due to the design of the bike the small one worked. Yes I was also very suprised and I'm sure whoever made this design mistake is no longer working for BMW.

See you on the road.

[BigEasy]

I saw this thread yesterday and checked out my bike when I got home to see what the deal was. I have yet to chenge my own oil as the bike only has 2k on it and the dealer did the run in service so I was unsure what the deal was with the filter wrench issue. My thought was similar to reds there: what about a strap wrench such as one of these, seems like it should work to me, and if you don't have one already they are on sale at Sears $10.00 for the 2 pack

[NeilS]

A strap wrench will be OK for removing the old filter, but not for installing the new one. The filter is nestled into the bottom of the engine in a way that you can't get a good grip on it to tighten it by hand, and you don't want to take the chance that the strap wrench will crush the new filter's case. I think you have to bite the bullet and buy some kind of real filter wrench.

And while we're on things that should be in the tool kit, what are y'all doing to turn the front axle?

[ShinySideUp]

<snip>
And while we're on things that should be in the tool kit, what are y'all doing to turn the front axle?

Here ya go:

http://www.marcparnes.com/BMW_Axle_Tool.htm

[Phillo]

The strap wrench will not crush the oil filter casing unless seriously overtightened - oil filters of this type are not intended to be tightened like one would tighten a bolt - a thin film of oil on the rubber / neoprene seal, tighten by hand till it seats then a half to three quarters of a turn with the strap wrench and "Voila" mission accomplished.

[NeilS]

Yes, I know how to install a spin-on oil filter. But the metal on the filter case is pretty thin, and the strap wrench usually will at least dent it. Is the filter element inside damaged when this happens? Probably not, but I don't want to take the chance when I can get a filter wrench for $20.

[Phillo]

Hi NeilS - I was not implying that you did not know how to fit a filter but if you do not have the correct tool the strap will do it and there is very little chance of even denting the casing if you keep the strap right at the bottom of the casing where is is strongest and do not overtighten but like you say for 20 bucks why take the chance.

[TAG-Caver]

I just did the break-in oil + filter change and used an adjustable metal strap wrench from NAPA, part # 77-2380. It fits filters from 2 13/16" to 3 1/16", or 71mm to 79mm. Not a lot of room, and you need to get a grip, turn the filter a bit, then reposition and repeat a couple times until you can turn it by hand. It's not bad for something that's available locally for only about $10.00.

[Ves]

This will do the trick also: http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Oil-Filter-Wre ... B000I1988G