DIY Oil Change, Air Filter, Cabin Filter, Power Steering Fluid

Originally Posted by Kubica

What about this:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

And this:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

I think you can buy smaller quantities . . .and you can always bring your own container to the dealer parts counter.

The 1st step is to identify what type of ATF you need.
2nd step is to get familiar with the ATF service process. Done wrong you could trash the trans.

Originally Posted by Kubica

I agree. However, a VERY good tech from Turner Motorsports that I know uses Castrol 5w-30 in all his customers' cars that he does on the side. I had it in my car for about 5k miles with no problems. He acknowledges it's not "BMW approved" oil, but emphatically claims it is 110% fine for 5k mile oil change intervals. It's a business, not a hobby for him though.

I had 15w-50 in my engine for a few months last summer to cut down on lifter-tick when it got very hot out. Again, no problems.

I agree that you can run whatever you want in there, it's not like the engine will blow up if you don't use the magic BMW oil or anything. Just stating what was the "approved" oil for this car. I've always run 0w40 in my cars all the way back to the veedub days, nothing but good things to say about it. Next time I will try castrol 0w30 though, I hear even better things about that oil...

Originally Posted by Rickna

From my experience BMW dealer will only sell ATF in bulk, I think 20 liters or so.
There are 2 different types of ATF used in E46 AT's-There will be either a green label or yellow label on the AT pan. You must use the same type originally used.

Originally Posted by Rickna

The 1st step is to identify what type of ATF you need.
2nd step is to get familiar with the ATF service process. Done wrong you could trash the trans.

Just to clear things up for you a bit on Auto trannys in the XI.

ALL auto E46 XIs came with the GM A5S390R (5L40-E in GM speak) automatic transmission. The original fill for these trannies was Texaco ETL-8072b fluid 83220024359. BMW has since superceded the original fill Texaco fluid with a new part number 83220397114 which is nothing more than Dexron VI.

Originally Posted by GCoop

Just to clear things up for you a bit on Auto trannys in the XI.

ALL auto E46 XIs came with the GM A5S390R (5L40-E in GM speak) automatic transmission. The original fill for these trannies was Texaco ETL-8072b fluid 83220024359. BMW has since superceded the original fill Texaco fluid with a new part number 83220397114 which is nothing more than Dexron VI.

Good to know-Thanks!

A friend of mine who owns an e36 328is claims that all of the generic Walmart synthetic oil is in actuality made by Castrol and Mobil. I have not done the research myself as I always use genuine Castrol synthetic oil for my BMW's but, it may be something to look into if you're wanting to save a few bucks on your next DIY oil change.