trans25ham

So today I decided it to flush the trans fluid on my 545i 6 speed manual, 75k. It was quite an easy job and I highly reccomend doing it. I didnt have any problems but the shifter does feel smoother now.

BMW states the MTF2 found in the transmission is a lifetime fluid, but I don't buy that. The fluid that came out was dark like used motor oil with small specs of metal and the fluid that went in was honey colored.

Once the car is on ramps, both bottom covers come off with a phillips screwdriver and a small socket (forgot the size). After that there is a drain plug and a fill plug on the side of the trans. Didnt take long at all, but the fluid is pricey. 2 liters cost me $70 from the dealer. You can buy the OEM fluid online though for $20 a liter. It is Pentosin MTF2.

If anyone was thinking about changing their fluid, hopes this helps.

Ramsey

My 05 545i is approaching 90k, don't think previous owner ever changed MTF.
Can you post some pics or more details on how to get this done?

thanks

jmdhuse

I'm with you - I had trans and diff fluids changed at 100k... hopefully I'm good for another long time!

Cheers, Jon.

trans25ham

I didn't take any pics, but I can give you quick directions

1. Get car on ramps or jack it up from the lift points.
2. Remove the two covers under the engine and transmission. The front one uses Phillips screwdriver and the back one has about 15 smaller bolts about 11mm? After the bolts come out, both covers pretty much drop down.
3. Looking in back of the engine you'll see a bolt on the bottom of the transmission which needs a large Allen head socket to remove. This is the drain plug. If you look on the passenger side of the transmission, there is another Allen bolt going into the transmission which is the fill plug.
4. Place your bucket under the trans and remove the upper bolt first (to make sure you can get it out so you can fill the trans up) then remove the lower bolt and the dark fluid will drain out.
5. Replace the lower plug and using a 5 dollar pump I purchased at pep boys, I was able to pump the new clean fluid in the side of the trans. The trans holds about 1.6 liters. I purchased 2.5 liters from the dealer and pumped it in until it started to drain out. Don't worry about overfilling the transmission because it cannot be done. In the case it is overfilled, it'll come out of the breather vent on the top of the trans.
6. Put in the fill plug and bolt up the engine cover panels on the bottom and you're done!

Good luck with it.