DIY: 6MT Transmission Oil Change

I somehow snapped off the head of my fill bolt. I had the torque wrench set at 26 ft/lb. Hopefully, I didn't do any damage, and I can just use a new one.

jimk wrote

For those who have ISTA/D, you can activate the pump under Activities, Engine, Manual Transmission. I used the Rheingold release:

I am new to Rheingold. I couldn't find the above when I connected to the car. Is there a user manual to navigate around Rheingold? Would appreciate any help.

aussiem3 wrote

I am new to Rheingold. I couldn't find the above when I connected to the car. Is there a user manual to navigate around Rheingold? Would appreciate any help.

I've self taught myself on how to use it. It will take you a while to learn it and find the proper tools. I've spend several hours navigating through the console to become familiar with it and if I don't use it for a few months, I forget where things are and I spend a bit more time finding what I want.

Are you connected properly and be able to diagnose, pull codes, clear codes, etc.? If yes, then you are almost there. I will connect mine and take a few screen shots and post them here shortly.

jimk wrote

I've self taught myself on how to use it. It will take you a while to learn it and find the proper tools. I've spend several hours navigating through the console to become familiar with it and if I don't use it for a few months, I forget where things are and I spend a bit more time finding what I want.

Yes, managed to sort it out. Mine is under vehicle management/service function/Engine/Manual gearbox/activate transmission oil pump ...

Was wondering what gear oil you guys recommend. Would Royal Purples 75W-90 be fine or should I stick with the 75W-80 from BMW?

Or any other Fluids you guys recommend.....

bimmer254 wrote

Was wondering what gear oil you guys recommend. Would Royal Purples 75W-90 be fine or should I stick with the 75W-80 from BMW?

Or any other Fluids you guys recommend.....

I went with Liqui Moly. Feel is slightly better than the OEM oil. Could be placebo.

aussiem3 wrote

I went with Liqui Moly. Feel is slightly better than the OEM oil. Could be placebo.

I've had good luck with Amsoil transmission fluid in the E46M3. Glad the liqui moly worked for you. It's a high quality product.

Also Redline MTL is a 75W80 that should be compatible.

I put Redline MTL in the trans of all of my manual cars, even the E36 Lemons/Chump car that has done 15-20 endurance races on a gearbox that came out of a 150k mile car and still feels great. I also use the Redline 75-90 in the diffs. Redline is great stuff!!!

aussiem3 wrote

I went with Liqui Moly. Feel is slightly better than the OEM oil. Could be placebo.

LOL could be! I just hate how the newer BMW's are touchy when it comes to oils. Especially when you go to a dealer and they never give you a right answer....only looks that say, "You seriously going to not put BMW fluid in your BMW M....like seriously."

I ended up going with the BMW fluid, $88 for 2.5 liters, used ~2.2L, lost 0.4L when checking the level after changing and driving. So I guess I'll buy more again.....however it began overflowing after I put the 0.3L that I had remaining so maybe I'm fine.

If you want to ask how that happened.......my hand slipped when unscrewing the fill plug and couldn't get it back on, plus hot trans fluid doesn't help. Failing in life

For those that don't activate the pump, has anyone actually had to add more fluid after initial drive after change?

Is this the one you guys are using? https://www.ecstuning.com/ES1503/

I am confused now as someone used Redline ATF.

Im about to do several maintenance work on mine.

Hey guys, I plan to do this DIY in a few days. I bought a tune up kit from ECS. When I checked their Transmission fluid in the kit contents, they only have 2 1 Quart Redline Fluid included. Based from the OP post, we need 2.5L. Can someone enlighten me on this? Do I have to order another bottle? Thanks!

Tune up Kit:
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-M3-S65_4.0L/Maintenance/View_All/ES2723119/

It's 3.2 pints, from what I see online. That is less than 2 L.

2.5L might be the total capacity (i.e. when the trans is brand new, since you'll never fully drain it).

dparm wrote

It's 3.2 pints, from what I see online. That is less than 2 L.

2.5L might be the total capacity (i.e. when the trans is brand new, since you'll never fully drain it).

Thanks! Yes I dont plan to start the cooler to drain more oil, that's out of my skills anyway. Will probably be draining around 2L only. So I guess ECStuning figured 2L will be enough for the procedure, although it might not overfill, but still close enough to the desired capacity. They just want people to save money from buying the Redline 3rd bottle unnecessarily I guess and that's always good.

This is a great thread and I have used it 2x. Thanks for all the hard work you guys put in.
What is the purpose of the shield that covers the transmission other than making it smooth and possible protection?
I also did the engine oil change along with it...9.5L drained out! I added 8L and it told me add a quart... really looking at the bimmerworld dipstick kit.

red998 wrote

This is a great thread and I have used it 2x. Thanks for all the hard work you guys put in.
What is the purpose of the shield that covers the transmission other than making it smooth and possible protection?
I also did the engine oil change along with it...9.5L drained out! I added 8L and it told me add a quart... really looking at the bimmerworld dipstick kit.

LOL, $230 and you have to weld the oil pan? No thanks.

I have been changing the oil every 5-7K, and every 3rd DE event- the sensor is very difficult to work with and time consuming. If it were less than 4 oil changes a year then I would not care.

i half did this today on a e92 m3 2008. i didn't order a new crush washer for the strainer so i will have to go grab one from the dealer on Monday. I could put it back together and let it leak a bit but i don't wanna take it off jack stands and put it back on...eh i got another vehicle. plus i gotta flush power steering and do the rear diff fluid and change a damn thermostat.

The trans oil pump can be activated with BMW GT1 V57 with the pss autosoft software which is actually very affordable. I got it boot camped on my macbook pro with a fresh install of windows 8.1. Although, you will have to buy a usb to obd2 cable too. I got that from one stop electronics website. I spent about two hours today wandering around GT1 before I found the correct activation function. To those who are activating the pump with a 12V battery, I noticed there the notes in the program that said to be very careful only to run the pump for 30 seconds when draining.

I spent about $200 for the pss autosoft, the cable and a copy of win 8.1 all together. Not bad to have the legit diag software.

Also those that said the TIS doesn't mention activating pump for draining are incorrect. The TIS on GT1 V57 mentions run it for 30 seconds to complete draining and then a minute after filling then top off.

Is is necessary to replace the drain and fill plug? Can the old ones be used if theres no signs of damage?

simpleM3 wrote

Is is necessary to replace the drain and fill plug? Can the old ones be used if theres no signs of damage?

Should be fine to reuse. They have rubber gaskets, not metal crush washers.

simpleM3 wrote

Is is necessary to replace the drain and fill plug? Can the old ones be used if theres no signs of damage?

The plugs can be reused as long as the threads aren't damaged.