1997 Z3 - 1.9L - man. trans & rear fluid change ?

My stated car is approaching 90k. Thought it would be a good idea to replace the manual trans and real diff. fluid (not sure if it has been replaced before). Called the dealer to get an estimate. They stated they do not perform this service and to call a local transmission service co.!!! So, should I tackle this myself? Not sure of the type of fluids to use. I assumed the dealer could do this and would install the recommended fluid.

Try to find an independent shop that works on BMW's They would be the best to use if you are not familiar, and the dealership does not do it. A good indy would do this in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by Gotechslack

My stated car is approaching 90k. Thought it would be a good idea to replace the manual trans and real diff. fluid (not sure if it has been replaced before). Called the dealer to get an estimate. They stated they do not perform this service and to call a local transmission service co.!!! So, should I tackle this myself? Not sure of the type of fluids to use. I assumed the dealer could do this and would install the recommended fluid.

They won't even do it at 90k?

Smolck on the E46 forum is right. Dealers are teh suck.

You can do this job yourself, as long as you know how to safely jack up and support a car (meaning you need 4 jack stands). The transmission uses plugs you can put a socket on, but the differential uses plugs that need a fairly sizable hex socket. And you might have to modify it. At least, this is what I have on my 2001.

If you tackle it, make sure you always remove the fill plug first. Nothing worse than removing the drain plug, only to find the fill plug seized.

For fluids, I'd go with Red Line MTL for the tranny and Redline 75W90 gear oil for the differential. You'll need a fluid pump to get the fluids in. Make sure the car is level, add fluid until it spills out the fill hole, plug it up, done. Each of the fills takes a bit over a liter, IIRC. Get a couple of liters each to be sure you have enough.

And don't go back to whatever dealer you went to.

Originally Posted by bten

Try to find an independent shop that works on BMW's They would be the best to use if you are not familiar, and the dealership does not do it. A good indy would do this in a heartbeat.

Will do. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

They won't even do it at 90k?

Smolck on the E46 forum is right. Dealers are teh suck.

You can do this job yourself, as long as you know how to safely jack up and support a car (meaning you need 4 jack stands). The transmission uses plugs you can put a socket on, but the differential uses plugs that need a fairly sizable hex socket. And you might have to modify it. At least, this is what I have on my 2001.

If you tackle it, make sure you always remove the fill plug first. Nothing worse than removing the drain plug, only to find the fill plug seized.

For fluids, I'd go with Red Line MTL for the tranny and Redline 75W90 gear oil for the differential. You'll need a fluid pump to get the fluids in. Make sure the car is level, add fluid until it spills out the fill hole, plug it up, done. Each of the fills takes a bit over a liter, IIRC. Get a couple of liters each to be sure you have enough.

And don't go back to whatever dealer you went to.

Good info. Thanks. So, you think it is a good time to do this? Of course I read that my manual tranny may have the lifetime fluid in it and not to bother changing it (I don't buy that). Is the Redline products you indicated, synthetic? I assume a synthetic fluid type is in there currently? I may try to look for an independent on this one. If I don't have any luck, I'll try it myself. I do have some jack stands; they are just not very "big." I guess they would still work if I placed them under and on the jack access points, huh? I do have a level garage. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Gotechslack

Good info. Thanks. So, you think it is a good time to do this? Of course I read that my manual tranny may have the lifetime fluid in it and not to bother changing it (I don't buy that). Is the Redline products you indicated, synthetic? I assume a synthetic fluid type is in there currently? I may try to look for an independent on this one. If I don't have any luck, I'll try it myself. I do have some jack stands; they are just not very "big." I guess they would still work if I placed them under and on the jack access points, huh? I do have a level garage. Thanks again.

Well, actually, if you followed the old school BMW maintenance schedule when they actually maintained cars, you would have done it at 1200 miles, then every 30k.

So yes, I think you should do it today, if you can.

I wouldn't climb beneath the car unless each of your jackstands has a 3000 pound capacity. I myself use 6k pound jackstands. Your life is worth more than what it costs to buy good stands.

Red Line products are all synthetic, yes. I would bet you notice an immediate improvement in your shifting when you change the fluids.

If you don't have time, find a good indie, and use good synthetics. I believe in Red Line, but Royal Purple makes good stuff too.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

Well, actually, if you followed the old school BMW maintenance schedule when they actually maintained cars, you would have done it at 1200 miles, then every 30k.

So yes, I think you should do it today, if you can.

I wouldn't climb beneath the car unless each of your jackstands has a 3000 pound capacity. I myself use 6k pound jackstands. Your life is worth more than what it costs to buy good stands.

Red Line products are all synthetic, yes. I would bet you notice an immediate improvement in your shifting when you change the fluids.

If you don't have time, find a good indie, and use good synthetics. I believe in Red Line, but Royal Purple makes good stuff too.

Great stuff. Thanks. I have tried to find Red Line products locally and have no luck. Any suggestions where I can find the fluids I need for this job? Thanks again.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

They won't even do it at 90k?

Smolck on the E46 forum is right. Dealers are teh suck.

You can do this job yourself, as long as you know how to safely jack up and support a car (meaning you need 4 jack stands). The transmission uses plugs you can put a socket on, but the differential uses plugs that need a fairly sizable hex socket. And you might have to modify it. At least, this is what I have on my 2001.

If you tackle it, make sure you always remove the fill plug first. Nothing worse than removing the drain plug, only to find the fill plug seized.

For fluids, I'd go with Red Line MTL for the tranny and Redline 75W90 gear oil for the differential. You'll need a fluid pump to get the fluids in. Make sure the car is level, add fluid until it spills out the fill hole, plug it up, done. Each of the fills takes a bit over a liter, IIRC. Get a couple of liters each to be sure you have enough.

And don't go back to whatever dealer you went to.

Hey Doc, one last question, on the Redline site, they state the following, "from 1993 on, we recommend D4 ATF (yes, ATF in a manual transmission). The only late-model exception is the 2006 Xi trans, which takes D6 ATF." The apparently recommend this over the MTL. What do you think? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Gotechslack

Hey Doc, one last question, on the Redline site, they state the following, "from 1993 on, we recommend D4 ATF (yes, ATF in a manual transmission). The only late-model exception is the 2006 Xi trans, which takes D6 ATF." The apparently recommend this over the MTL. What do you think? Thanks.

I've seen that too. I'm following the recomendations of my guy at Bavarian Autosports, and the recommendations of Mike Miller of Bimmer magazine, in using the MTL. I think their feeling is that the MTL is better long term than the D4.

On finding the stuff, you can buy it online at many places. BavAuto sells it, PelicanParts probably does, you can even buy it direct from Red Line. Google it and you'll find a distributor.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

I've seen that too. I'm following the recomendations of my guy at Bavarian Autosports, and the recommendations of Mike Miller of Bimmer magazine, in using the MTL. I think their feeling is that the MTL is better long term than the D4.

On finding the stuff, you can buy it online at many places. BavAuto sells it, PelicanParts probably does, you can even buy it direct from Red Line. Google it and you'll find a distributor.

Super. Thanks again Doc!!!

I am totally off Redline for my cars.

One of the top E36 M3 autocrossers dropped his diff temp by 20 degrees switching to Mobil 1 from Redline. And having had Redline in my cars, it comes out looking very nasty.

I run BMW LTF2 in the tranny and Mobil 1 in the diff on the Roadster and LTW. Castrol fluid from teh dealer inthe E46 diff.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

I am totally off Redline for my cars.

One of the top E36 M3 autocrossers dropped his diff temp by 20 degrees switching to Mobil 1 from Redline. And having had Redline in my cars, it comes out looking very nasty.

I run BMW LTF2 in the tranny and Mobil 1 in the diff on the Roadster and LTW. Castrol fluid from teh dealer inthe E46 diff.

Hmmm. Interesting. Thanks. Anyone else? I'm about to change the tranny and diff out.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

I am totally off Redline for my cars.

One of the top E36 M3 autocrossers dropped his diff temp by 20 degrees switching to Mobil 1 from Redline. And having had Redline in my cars, it comes out looking very nasty.

I run BMW LTF2 in the tranny and Mobil 1 in the diff on the Roadster and LTW. Castrol fluid from teh dealer inthe E46 diff.

BTW, what type of Mobil 1 are you using in the diff?

Bump, Good forum. I want to change my fluids for my tranny and diff also but im not sure what fluids i need. i have Autozone oreily and walmart im not willing to order online, any suggestions?

Originally Posted by brianrparker

Bump, Good forum. I want to change my fluids for my tranny and diff also but im not sure what fluids i need. i have Autozone oreily and walmart im not willing to order online, any suggestions?

I was going to go with Redline and do the project myself, but decided to have a local Euro mechanic shop do it, who uses Royal Purple. I put the following in my '97 Z3 1.9L Manual: Royal Purple Synchromax Manual Transmission and Royal Purple Max Gear 75w140 Gear Oil. Everything seems to be just fine and that was over a year ago.

2001 Roady 3.0
I use Amsoil in both my Tranny & Diff.
For the 1.9, there is no Limited Slip Diff, unless the car was modified.
So The recommended Amsoil oil is MTF 5W-30 for the Manual Transmission and 75W=30 for the Diff.
Just my 2Cents.

I just replaced my tranny with Amsoil Synthetic ATF.

If you have the Getrag tranny, it takes ATF.

Going with Amsoil 75w-90 Severe Gear lube for my open diff.

Originally Posted by Gotechslack

I was going to go with Redline and do the project myself, but decided to have a local Euro mechanic shop do it, who uses Royal Purple. I put the following in my '97 Z3 1.9L Manual: Royal Purple Synchromax Manual Transmission and Royal Purple Max Gear 75w140 Gear Oil. Everything seems to be just fine and that was over a year ago.

Hey thanks for the info about the fluids im gonna go with those with your recommendations. Plan on changing them in about 1-2 weeks will post again after done.

Originally Posted by Gotechslack

BTW, what type of Mobil 1 are you using in the diff?

Mobil 1 75W-90 Gear Lube. Available at most auto parts stores (Auto Zone or Advanced Auto).

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/..._75W-90LS.aspx

I have heard good things about the Royal Purple lubes. I haven't tried them myself.

the bently SM says Hypoid oil for 96-7 z3s, which is stated in the mobil 1 and valvoline products. (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...uestid=2224845)