Want to change tranny oil. how to?

[BMWI6]

Hi, I want to change the tranny oil on my z4m. does anyone know which oil I need to use and I also heard that I should replace the one on my differential, can someone tell me which one to use and what else I should change on the car. Any filters or stuff like that. thanks!

[jmillet]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

Hi, I want to change the tranny oil on my z4m. does anyone know which oil I need to use and I also heard that I should replace the one on my differential, can someone tell me which one to use and what else I should change on the car. Any filters or stuff like that. thanks!

Do a search on the Bimmerfest Z3/Z4 forum and you'll find out more than you want to know.
Buy a TIS DVD on EBay and you'll get the official version.

[Leonardo629]

what Jim said, Ron has posted some underneath pics of his Z4M on bimmerfest.

I just did the change myself, I used Motul 300 competition gear oil, the color is gold. You'll need two buy two bottles.

[pbdm4k]

Make sure you check with the manufacturer if their oil is rated for the car.

Not all oils are created equal, needless to say.

I am using Redline D4ATF without problems, and MUCH smoother shifting.
I needed a little over 2 bottles.

[wrh3]

I used Royal Purple Synchromax, I have some info/pics on my website from when I changed mine.

[AWM3]

Change the oil while hot.
Place the car on jackstands so it is level.
Loosen the top (fill) plug first. Make sure you have the right tool.
Remove the bottom plug, let the oil run out, replace the plug.
Use a little pump available at auto parts stores to fill the trans or diff to the level of the fill plug, so the oil just begins to run out. Replace the fill plug.
Redline products would be D4 ATF for the trans and 75/140 gear oil for the diff.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...=E46M3-REDLINE

[mhughett]

Originally Posted by car62

Change the oil while hot.
Place the car on jackstands so it is level.
Loosen the top (fill) plug first. Make sure you have the right tool.
Remove the bottom plug, let the oil run out, replace the plug.
Use a little pump available at auto parts stores to fill the trans or diff to the level of the fill plug, so the oil just begins to run out. Replace the fill plug.
Redline products would be D4 ATF for the trans and 75/140 gear oil for the diff.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...=E46M3-REDLINE

I thought Mike Miller who does all of the technical correspondence for the BMW Roundel always recommends 75w/90 oil in the differential for all BMW's. Is there a reason to use the 75w/140? Also, he recommends Redline MTL instead of the D4ATF although admits that some use a 50/50 blend of these two products in the gearbox and have had very good results.

[AWM3]

Originally Posted by mhughett

I thought Mike Miller who does all of the technical correspondence for the BMW Roundel always recommends 75w/90 oil in the differential for all BMW's. Is there a reason to use the 75w/140? Also, he recommends Redline MTL instead of the D4ATF although admits that some use a 50/50 blend of these two products in the gearbox and have had very good results.

Will Turner is a little more authoritative than Mike Miller, since he races and wins championships with these cars. The diff in the Z4M is the same as in the E46M3. It requires the 75/140 lubricant. Redline MTL is not appropriate for the newer BMW transmissions which are designed to use an ATF type fluid.

[jmillet]

Originally Posted by car62

Will Turner is a little more authoritative than Mike Miller, since he races and wins championships with these cars. The diff in the Z4M is the same as in the E46M3. It requires the 75/140 lubricant. Red line MTL is not appropriate for the newer BMW transmissions which are designed to use an ATF type fluid.

BMW has been calling out an ATF for their manual transmissions for years now. That's one reason Red Line introduced their D4-ATF for manual transmissions. It's basically relabeled MTL. I use a 50/50 blend of MTL and MT-90 in my Bimmer manual transmissions after the car is out of factory warranty. Until then I use Castrol MTL-LT-2.

[BMWI6]

thanks for all the responses guys. My car has 19,000 miles, am I being too cautious and should I wait a little, or should I do it now?

[AWM3]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

thanks for all the responses guys. My car has 19,000 miles, am I being too cautious and should I wait a little, or should I do it now?

We are assuming that the 1200 mile service was properly done at a reputable dealer and the transmission and diff fluids were changed at that time, right?

In that case, if the car is never driven on a racetrack, it is too early and I don't think you will gain anything by changing those fluids after so few miles. If it is a track driven car, they should be changed much more frequently.

[BMWI6]

Originally Posted by car62

We are assuming that the 1200 mile service was properly done at a reputable dealer and the transmission and diff fluids were changed at that time, right?

In that case, if the car is never driven on a racetrack, it is too early and I don't think you will gain anything by changing those fluids after so few miles. If it is a track driven car, they should be changed much more frequently.

Hi, yes, the 1200 mile service was done. I dont take it to the track, but I do drive it very spiritedly. When should I change the fluids then? thanks

[jmillet]

Originally Posted by BMWI6

Hi, yes, the 1200 mile service was done. I dont take it to the track, but I do drive it very spiritedly. When should I change the fluids then? thanks

E85/86 M Roadster and Coupe transmission fluid and differential oil are replaced at Inspection II per the BMW NA Service Maintenance Checklist:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=171200
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...2&postcount=21