Just bought an E39 '98 S 523i SE which has a steptronic autobox coupled to the six pot.

How do you check the auto tranny fluid level in these boxes?  Where is the dipstick?

The manual with the car says that these are sealed and give no fluid capacity.

What type of fluid is it?  I have shed loads of Castrol Dexron TQIII left from my Vx  3.0i 24 v Senator, can I use this fluid in my Beamer tranny if I can work out how to fill the sodding thing?

Andrew

Ibelive that bmw say its a sealed for life unit?

unsure how oil can last the life of the car but i might be wrong?

E34 M30 535i SPORT



                                

Andy

Yup my manual with the car says its a sealed unit but I have driven autos for years and quite a few different types and I can tell my change up and down isn't quite 100%.  I rekon she needs a dod more fluid but I can't get in to it.

My last auto car was serviced at a tranny specialist but I don't want to have to take my Beamer to him just to put a dod of fluid in.

Anyone out there know anyway to get some fluid in it?

Andrew

Andrew i think your best bet is to phone and speak to your local BMW dealership let them know what you want to do and ask them the best way to do it. If I were you I would try and ask to speak to a mechanic rather than the service guys themselves.

Russ

Deathace wrote: Andrew i think your best bet is to phone and speak to your local BMW dealership let them know what you want to do and ask them the best way to do it. If I were you I would try and ask to speak to a mechanic rather than the service guys themselves. Russ

That sounds like your best option to me as well good luck with it.

E34 M30 535i SPORT



                                

The only info i can give you, is that you go by the colour of a label!!!

Not sure where this label is but the info is:-

Orange label= ATF DEXRON II D

Green label= Synthetic Mobil SCH 630

Yellow label= MTF-LT-1 (part no. 83-22-9-408-942)

No label= SAE 80 (MIL-L-2195 or API-GL-4)

If it is the yellow label, then it is a "lifetime" oil and assuming there are no leaks from the gearbox, it will only need to be topped up after any case of repair. There are drain and a refill points, but they look like real pigs to top up. Drain is where you expect it to be on the bottom of sump, now heres the confusing bit, the fill point is also on the bottom, located right beside a mounting bracket and directly above the exhaust. You are right in what you say, there is no dipstick and no other way to check the level. I can only assume with the fill point being where it is, then maybe a special pump is needed to fill it. In my role of mechanic, i've never had to touch one of these gearboxes yet! Sorry i couldn't be of more help.

   Ian

Forgot to mention that the capacity is 4 litres!