It has a ZF and not the GM that the 1991 to 1995 525i's have. The 1989 and 1990 525i's do have the same tranny. It should have a dipstick.

Quote Originally Posted by MO525
Your car is similar to my '93 525.
Meaning....NO DIPSTICK.
Nice, huh?
To check level, the tranny must be at 86-131 degrees F and you pull the fill plug on the pan and see if the fluid is up to the bottom of the plug.
If not, put some more in.
All this with warm fluid and engine running so BE careful!!

The Bentley manual says approx. 3.2 qts. of fluid to do a fluid/filter change.
AND Dexron III is the fluid of choice.

The downshift/stop clunk is interesting but I do not know an answer to that one.

I'm doing a fluid/filter change next on my car.
BMA had a GREAT price on the fluid change kit recently: around $22.
Give 'em a ring.

Good luck!