auto fluid is red when new, goes brown then finally black.
Discoloration indicates old, overheated, or contaminated fluid.
Some report auto gearbox failure shortly after a fluid change, but I have yet to hear any convincing explanation as to why.
The EH switchable auto is a good box, the earlier non-switchable 4 spd less so. Auto boxes can fail at anything after ~80K miles but this seems to be more common with the earlier box.
In 'sport' mode the EH box will never select top (which is an overdrive ratio), you have engine braking available most of the time, and upshifts can be controlled easily with throttle position. On the usual gearing (3.07 diff) you will pull an indicated 100mph in second(!) gear. In 'E' you will be pulling just 2200rpm at 80mph. I'd still prefer a manual some of the time but for me the EH auto scores 8/10 for brisk road use, and is easy to live with.
Most would say that it is vital that the fluid is changed in the box regularly; it is also vital that the filter is changed, otherwise it can block oil flow (incredibly bad thing).
I agree with James re. the car priorities, but at 3K you should be able to get a not-too-scruffy one to drive rather than a project to work on if that is what you want. Its just a question of shopping around until you find the right one.
My car is an '87 chrome bumper 635; I'm not alone in thinking this pick of the bunch in some ways, as the original E12 chassis cars (76-81) are now difficult to find in good shape, slightly earlier cars (E28 chassis 82-86) have a crossover brake linkage (not BMW's finest engineering moment) and later (8/87-90) cars (although they have improvements in some other places) are heavier and often have stuff like leather covered dashboards (with which I have mysteriously lived without for my entire adult life).
Overall there are about ten different engine specifications on 6ers, three basic body/chassis set-ups (plus sports options, lsd, diff ratios, at least six different gearboxes) and almost endless other trim/gadget options. So there is probably a 6er for most tastes, just a question of finding the right one....
cheers
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~~~~~~~ Brucey ~~~~~~
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