Definitive answer on changing ATF in high mileage 330ci

You sure 7lt is just for a drain and fill, or are you talking about a full flush?

Let me know how it goes... im at 90k and I am planning on doing it sometime this summer

I changed mine at 102k the first time. And a second time at 193k. Both times were drain+fill, not flush, and with filter change. Never a problem. Shifts always smooth.

I just posted a conversation I had with a ZF-certified service guy this week (one of very few in the USA). We discussed high-mileage ATF changes, process and (non)issues like varnish. Have a read:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...644&highlight=

I don't think that the reasons FOR changing the ATF would be any different for the GM tranny. I have heard (though I would question the source) that high levels of metals-based contaminants flowing through high-mileage ATF exacerbates the solenoid failures that do occur in some model years of the GM tranny. Again, I can't substantiate that.

Originally Posted by Rickljc

I done this job by my own at 100000mile on my 2003 330ci, it was a pain when you take out the oil pan replace oil filter, it will drip also when you refill the oil need keep engine running and at the very end the oil will spill out. And if you purchase from Palican wach out the fill plug, the plug was come with filter it is a package BUT LET ME TELL YOU, FOR MY CAR THE PLUG DOES NOT FIT . when I finished try to put on the new fill plug then I was stock over there , end up I use the old one , I call Palican they just say it come with this way from manufacture.
now after 3000mile every thing is fine~~~for your information
oil - Bavarian auto
filter set - Palican

Btw, I had to comment on this.

I also bought a filter kit that includes two plugs (manufactured by ZF). I naturally assumed that one was a drain plug, and the other a fill plug. Wrong!When I attempted to screw on what I thought was the fill plug, discovered that it had a smaller diameter than the fill hole.

Long story short, the ZF filter kit provides 2 types of drain plugs, AND NO FILL PLUG. The 2 drain plugs is to accommodate different models. So you use the one that fits, and toss the other. The really frustrating thing was that no instructions were included... so I thought i had made a mistake and went searching the entire tranny to see if there was a different fill port. live and learn.

Are you guys talking about the plug "washer" or the plug itself? I don't think you should be getting new plugs with the kit, but just the o-rings or seals.

we were talking about whole fill plug~~ and my old fill plug is dead on the seat now~~

Oh, ok, I didn't know that kit came with the whole fill plug.

Originally Posted by cngzsn

Oh, ok, I didn't know that kit came with the whole fill plug.

That's just it. That kit DOESN'T come with the fill plug. just 2 different drain plugs.

Originally Posted by patdosa

That's just it. That kit DOESN'T come with the fill plug. just 2 different drain plugs.

Ahh gotcha

I am going to do more research today....a VIN lookup online shows I have a GM tranny buy I called BMW gave them my VIN and they told me I need Esso fluid. However, Esso is only used in ZF trannys going to look at the actual sticker today for verification. I thought I just needed new ATF and a filter and I was good to go...do I need any other parts?

Originally Posted by ///BMW5

I am going to do more research today....a VIN lookup online shows I have a GM tranny buy I called BMW gave them my VIN and they told me I need Esso fluid. However, Esso is only used in ZF trannys going to look at the actual sticker today for verification. I thought I just needed new ATF and a filter and I was good to go...do I need any other parts?

Just get a filter kit from pelicanparts or autohausaz.com and it'll have all you'll need except the fluid.

How do u know if you have the GM or ZF tranny??

Crawl under the car.

Originally Posted by vminev

How do u know if you have the GM or ZF tranny??

here's a reference chart.

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/attachments/sd92-113.pdf

Originally Posted by cngzsn

Crawl under the car.

I wish I could.. My car is soo low I cant even get the jack underneath the car.

Originally Posted by vminev

I wish I could.. My car is soo low I cant even get the jack underneath the car.

dude get some ramps, is the only way

seems you got everything you need ~~~so good luck

Originally Posted by BMWespresso

dude get some ramps, is the only way

I cant... The front bumper scrapes before even the wheel reach the ramps...

Driving on top of phone books is the way to go...
I dont know what im gonna do if I have to replace a tire on the side of the road....