Okay so I have been in the hunt for the best oils for our cars and came upon (what I think is) a cool survey that an E46 site had. The thread starter (ME) would update the results of the survey as more people chimed in with their result/inputs.
I will list the parts of the car and please tell us what Oil/Fluid you use. Hopefully this can be a one stop result page for the next bimmer owner with similar questions and concerns as I had/have.
The following are what I have in my car...
Engine: Mobil1 10W-40 High Mileage
Tranny: Chevron ATF MD-3
Diff: Mobil 1 75W-90 LS Synthetic
Cooling: Zerex G0-5
Brake/clutch: ATE Super Blue
Power Steering: OEM
Windshield Washer: Einszett
COUNT as of post #21:
Engine
Mobile 1 10W-40 High Mileage - 1
Mobile 1 0W-40 - 1
Mobile 1 0W-30 - 1
Mobile 1 5W-40 - 1
Mobile 1 15W-50 - 1
motul 5w-40 - 1
Penrite HPR10 10w50 - 1
Delo Synth 5w40 - 1
Amsoil Signature Series 0w30 - 1
Castrol GTX 5-30 - 1
Castrol GTX 20-50 - 1
Tranny
Dexron III - 2
OEM (have not changed fluid) - 2
Chevron ATF MD-3 - 1
Shell LA-2643 - 1
Red Line ATF - 1
Mobil1 ATF/Lucas Transmission Fix combo - 1
Diff
Mobile 1 75-90 LS Synthetic - 3
Redline 75-90 - 2
Penrite Limslip 85w140 - 1
Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 - 1
Cooling
BMW Blue - 5
Zerex G0-5 - 1
Prestone (Green) - 1
prestone all-colour - 1
Nulon Longlife - 1
Brake/clutch
ATE Super Blue - 4
Valvoline SynPower DOT4 Synthetic - 1
Other DOT 4 - 1
Nulon - 1
OEM - 1
Castrol - 1
Power Steering
Pentosin CHF 11S - 2
OEM - 2
Mobil 1 ATF - 2
Valvoline Dexron III - 1
Castrol - 1
Windshield
Cheapest Stuff - 3
Rain-X (in summer) - 2
Einszett - 1
Prestone (Bug Off) - 2
Water - 1
Shell - 1