1) Assemble Your Kit + Notes

Below is the total kit I used. I used only 1 and a bit bottles of ATF, without mixing with any other oil. This car is a 5 speed Manual gear.

I have heard that some other Bimmers (at least US model ones) take just over 2 litres of Fluid, where as mine took just over 1 litres. Please check first.

BMW say and also the yellow stickers stuck on the transmission say that the oil is a lifetime oil, but that is nonsense. Everything has a shelf life! Once you change the oil, you will notice a huge difference while shifting gears.

Torque Wrench: For conversions, refer to this chart.

For general BMW Tightening Torques, refer to this document.

Change Duration: I personally believe that the Transmission Fluid should be replaced no sooner than every 5 years or 75,000 miles or when gear shifting gets rough - which ever is sooner.

2) Car On Jack Stands

I recommend that the car be lifted on 4 Jack Stands so that it is level and all the oil can drain from the chamber.

2 Jack Stands at the front and 2 at the back. I personally leave the actual car Jack / Trolley Jack still raised under the car, close to where I work, just to provide me with some insurance incase any of the Jack Stands fail!

For more details on lifting the car on Jack Stands, please refer to this page.

3) Shields - Removal

Some DIYs state there may be 2 plastic shields to cover the Transmission reservoir, however mine did not have any. Either my car never had them, or my mechanic took them off and kept them!

Take off the 2 shields by removing their nuts and clips. You will need a 8mm socket.
The smaller shield should be removed first.

4) Screw Plugs - Open

First remove the Fill Screw Plug (to ensure you can fill it up, before you drain it). This is the top one. You will need a 17mm socket.
Next remove the Drain Screw Plug, this is the one facing down . You will need a 17mm socket.

One of the Screws Plugs has a green/blue stain on the head, that indicates that this is the Fill Screw Plug. I am not sure why they are differentiated, as they are both exactly the same Screw Plugs.

As you can see I am using a hammer to turn the Socket Wrench, this is because both screw plugs were very tight indeed!

5) Oil Draining

Catch the oil being drained. Once you take out the drain plug, the oil will pour out very quick. It was nearly finished by the time I turned on my camera!

It will take about 5 mins to completely drain dry. You will notice the oil will be filthy and also see very tiny spots of metal float on the top (that is your gear).

Once all the oil has drained, connect the Oil pump to one of the D4 ATF oil bottle and pump some new oil into it (about 4 pumps), to remove any remnants of the old oil.