I got the oil changed today, as you thought, the access panel was just beyond the metal skid plate. Easy enough change, the car took around 5.5 litres of oil.
Thanks for your input chaps.

Hi Alan,
Yes I know garages like to use the suction method. I think I'd prefer to remove the plug and use gravity to remove the oil even though it's a bit more faffing around.

With regards to item 3 in the link you supplied, the one on her car, from memory, looked to be solid with no cut outs as in that picture, I'll see I suppose when I do the job.

Hi and thank you for your reply. I'm sure the drop down flap will be there, I didn't get right under the car just down on my knee looking back. I may have missed it. I will post back when I've done the job. I just didn't want to have to remove half the under tray as I know those crappy little 8mm ...

Hi all, new on here. Can anybody throw some light on this please? I am going to do an engine oil change on my friends 2009 X1 2L diesel Xdrive, I believe it has the N47 engine. I've looked at videos on youtube and it looks straight forward, however, when I've had a peek under her engine there's what ...