Quote Originally Posted by amarentic
Hey Bravo10000, my Scotchmen bimmer specialists have seemed to have figured out my problem. Apparently all it need was a tranny flush and new fliud AND filter ($286.35 CDN taxes in). Apparently the filter was the original from 92 and the fluid was more than likely the original fluid as well (I've owned my car since 2000 and have put on more than 200,000 km on it and NEVER touched the tranny).

Over time things do break down filters, fluids, etc. and they just need replacing. In all my years with my baby i have never had to open up the engine or tranny for anything mechanical - seals/gaskets occasionally (this being the first for the tranny and they found no metal shavings in my pans)

One piece of advise from the Scotchmen @ Thorold Imports - the tranny fluid level is to be checked with the BMW scanner from a cold start only and the plug is to be pulled out ONLY once the tranny temp is @ 35 degrees. This allows for proper fluid expansion to give an accurate reading. This could be total BS but I trust these guys with my baby and they have NEVER let me down - they are all semi-retired and live and breath old bimmer's!

By the way, I've thought about the dipstick dilemma too, according to the Scotchmen, it's to stop idiots from over filling the tranny and blowing the seals - it actually makes sense because I've done it myself when is was 16!

Hope this helps?
Well thanks!

Incidentally, though, I did take it for a "full service" fluid change/flush, but that didn't solve my issue at all. Mine has 160K kilometers on it. When I checked my fluid the first time, I did get the temp to between 30-50 Celcius as recommended...

One other thing, though - I read that these transmissions were designed to have "lifetime fluid"...a bit of an optimistic approach, I think...but I suppose we'll see what happens once mine is opened. I'll be certain to post the results.

I've read about and experienced some of the quirks with this model that I'll pass on. The "lock it twice" electric door lock issue among them, which I am also having - that isn't a real big deal. I also have a warning coming up on the trip computer telling me "Bremslicht Electrik - Betriebsanleitung" - translates to brake lights, but they seem to be working fine. I guess the original brake light switch on the brake pedal can be problematic. Then there's an occasional coolant leak - I think my radiator is cracked on the top, and lucky me, it is plastic on the top so no brazing to fix it. It leaks down just far enough to warn me at startup, then the warning goes away. Lastly, I think I have a worn wheel bearing on the front right - a little louder when turning left, and it doesn't stop when I brake.

Overall the car runs great, these other issues are relatively minor and I'll fix most on occasional weekends.