[Denson]

I have an E46 325i sports saloon built Dec 2001 with an Auto box and 50k miles.

I'm aware that it's a good idea to have the auto fluid flushed and replaced. I can see the filler cap. I've read that some of these gearboxes are sealed for life. Is mine?

I just basically wonder if it's a job I can undertake myself or would be best taking to a gearbox specialist. Is it simple to drain, or does a hole need making???

Any advice welcome!

Paul

 

[Slacker-ray]

I have an E46 325i sports saloon built Dec 2001 with an Auto box and 50k miles.

I'm aware that it's a good idea to have the auto fluid flushed and replaced. I can see the filler cap. I've read that some of these gearboxes are sealed for life. Is mine?

I just basically wonder if it's a job I can undertake myself or would be best taking to a gearbox specialist. Is it simple to drain, or does a hole need making???

Any advice welcome!

Paul

They are meant to be for life.

You can change the fluid yourself- it is straight forward mate.

Just drain the fluid via the drain plug, then refill with the correct fluid via the top plug.

Just make sure you try and loosed the refill plug BEFORE you drain the oil.

Reason being is that we get alot of calls where customers have drained the fluid from either the gearbox or diff- then found that they can't undo the refil plug or have rounded it off.

 

[Denson]

Cheers

Nice one Slacker.

Any recommended or required spec for the fluid?

Paul

 

[Slacker-ray]

Nice one Slacker.

Any recommended or required spec for the fluid?

Paul

Yes mate,

Check if your gearbox has any stickers on it, if so, what colour?

the colour will determine what to fill up with.:thumbsup

 

[xXNealXx]

Just to add, if your car has done 100k+ miles, then I wouldn't bother as it would do more harm than good. You want MTF-LT1 spec oil

Sticker colours as Ray has mentioned above:
Orange label = Dexron III ATF
Green label = special oil from BMW
Yellow label = needs no change (lifetime fill)