When I change mine, I do it after a long drive and immediately pull the car up on blocks. I then take the hot drain plug out while trying not to burn myself. I then take the filter canister cover off (also trying not to burn myself). I then lift the filter up and off of the post at the bottom on the canister. I let the filter set back down loose inside the canister. I then let it drain for an hour or two and cool down. The best thing about this is that the filter is now almost oil free since it dripped for an hour or two into the canister and MUCH less sloppy when lifting it out of the canister.

JohnM 1983 240D 4 sp manual 156K