ATF Change DIY/FAQ (Pictures)

Originally Posted by jumbo98

okay...followed diy almost exactly and drained about 5 liters. started filling and fluid started spilling out of the fill hole after about 3 liters...wtf???? tilted the driver side up and filled about another liter so ultimately filled 4 liters after draining 5...we'll see...i'm driving it regardless...the car shifts so much better especially this morning on a cold start...it usually downshifted very hard but i didn't notice anything this morning...unfortunately still got the clunk noise when shifting to reverse from park...can't win them all huh?...thanks james and chris...oh i'm running at about 120,000 miles now! will report back again

I believe the clunk noise is unrelated to the automatic transmission, so changing the fluid would not remedy it. It has more to do with the differential (Another BMW "lifetime" fluid. It could also use a change).

UPDATE:

750 miles

Car is still working fine! It still drives like new!

Can I change the fluid and not the filter?

This is not a good idea at all. The filter is what catches debris in the tranny and prevents it from dieing. My putting new fluid in and not a filter, you run the chance of the old filter becoming clogged.

By changing just the fluid you increase the chance of tranny failure by alot. Do both at the same time.

I am glad I did mine last weekend @80K. The oil was so dirty and the magnets were covered with thick layer of gunk. There is no way that stuff is good for the tranny.

Thanks James for this excellent DIY!

Wow... Forgot about updating this thing!

I am currently at 96,670 miles (3,600 miles since trans service).

Car still runs great! Looks like I am into the clear, no problems have showed up. The next trans service will be at 120,000 miles.

Great DIY but I heard most people just change the ATF and not take the pan apart.

Anyone know exactly where the label on the trans pan is, i put the car on ramps and took a quick look but saw nothing. I was looking from under the front end and i moved to the sides and didnt see anything. Is it a color label? or a small worded sticker? and where? My build date is 11/00 and im pretty sure its a ZF so the esso is choice, but seeing this sticker will make ordering parts, ie the filter and gasket, easier on my worries. Any help thanks.

On a side note, did you two-tone your interior yourself or have it done? That looks nice. I'd like to do mine, but I'm scared to try it.

Originally Posted by bassik40

Anyone know exactly where the label on the trans pan is, i put the car on ramps and took a quick look but saw nothing. I was looking from under the front end and i moved to the sides and didnt see anything. Is it a color label? or a small worded sticker? and where? My build date is 11/00 and im pretty sure its a ZF so the esso is choice, but seeing this sticker will make ordering parts, ie the filter and gasket, easier on my worries. Any help thanks.

The label should be on the bottom of the transmission pan. It is a decently large colored sticker. More than likely yours is like mine and fell off a while ago. If it did, the only ways to tell are to look at the difference between the schematics or just go off the build date.

My pan looks like this (GM Trans):


The sticker should have been on the pan.

Go to here to see pictures of what the sticker looks like:
http://www.bavauto.com/newsletter/20...newsletter.pdf

Here are schematics of the two different transmissions:
http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/se...4/B305_240.pdf


Goodluck

Originally Posted by sstainba

On a side note, did you two-tone your interior yourself or have it done? That looks nice. I'd like to do mine, but I'm scared to try it.

I did the interior myself. Used a Dupli-Color Vinyl dye. I seperated the leather, armrest, and door panel into pieces using a drill to remove the heat activated rivits. The panels are starting to show some nicks after a year of being on, however. I am planning to go back through and apply a matte clear coat to them this summer. It isn't a terribly difficult thing to do yourself.

Originally Posted by bassik40

... My build date is 11/00 and im pretty sure its a ZF so the esso is choice, but seeing this sticker will make ordering parts, ie the filter and gasket, easier on my worries. Any help thanks.

I'm pretty sure all E46 325i (but not the xi) steps have the ZF 5HP19 (ZF A5S 325 Z), same as mine. Also, if the bottom of your tranny pan has quarter-sized circular and oval bumps, then it's a ZF. If the pan is flat, it's GM.

And don't limit yourself to the Esso LT 71141. There are a lot of substitutes out there that are cheaper and may even be better quality. But that's a separate topic that's been debated on and off in this forum. I personally used MOTUL ATF-1A (100% synthetic) when I changed my ATF over the weekend, since it's readily available in my part of the world. Most of the ones I've seen in the US use Redline D4 ATF. Both of them are high-quality lub manufacturers. For any ATF you choose, just make sure the manufacturer 'certifies' their product as LT71141-compatible.

For your convenience:
ZF 5HP19 BMW part numbers:
- AT Pan Gasket (24-10-1-423-380)
- AT Fluid filter (24-34-1-423-376)

Uber-pimp info to both of you guys. Appreciated.

I broke 100,000 miles a week ago. That means it has been over 7,000 miles logged since the flush with both highway and city driving.

105,000 miles was logged a week ago.

Car is still running strong with no issues.

12,000 miles since the flush.

My 323i passed away tonight only 6 hours after I made the last post due to a rear-end accident.

I will be back with another car soon, however it will more than likely be a manual. I'm turning over to the darkside and not looking back. Goodluck to anyone in the future who attempts the ATF Fluid DIY and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Sorry to hear about that ... too bad it happened to someone who took good care of his car.

Can someone guide me to what kind of oil should I use on a 1999 E46 (5-99 production date) "with the green tag" transmission? Thanks!

As for this chart it says to use Texaco ETL 8072B
http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/se...4/B305_240.pdf

But this chart says use Texaco ETL 7045E

Originally Posted by 33beto

Can someone guide me to what kind of oil should I use on a 1999 E46 (5-99 production date) "with the green tag" transmission? Thanks!

As for this chart it says to use Texaco ETL 8072B
http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/se...4/B305_240.pdf

But this chart says use Texaco ETL 7045E

I would go off of the tag color if it is still on the vehicle, rather than the build date.

Oh forgot to update this thread with the new car!

I purchased a CPO 2003 325i Black/Black Steptronic with 39,730 miles on her. The car is amazing! The M54 engine is an upgrade from the M52.

I haven't decided when I am going to do the first fluid change interval... It will either be immediately or at 60,000 miles.

Anyways it is under warranty until 11/17/2009 so I have two years where I have to use OEM BMW fluid. Afterwards I might try out the Redline Fluid, only after a multiple fill/drain to clear the fluid.

I am planning on driving this car for a looong time to come, so maintenance is my main goal!

so, each color tag use only one type of oil regardless of car production date and/or year?

Im also looking for the equivalent "off the shell" oil for the green tag tranny.
if is a GM, then the new DEXRON 6 will do?
car has 71K miles and is due for this service.