1992 e36 ATF Fluid

[motion]

What's the correct fluid for a 325IS with the A4S270/310R automatic transmission? Thanks in advance

[JDStrickland]

According to the Owner's Manual,
Use only name brand Dexron II. To avoid overfilling, the oil level should only be checked at maintenance intervals. Contact your BMW dealership for further information. The specification calls for 3.2 qts (3.0 L)

This bit of information is confusing because the Bentley Service Manual says that Dexron III is used. Bentley also says that the data plate on the transmission is either black, or green. The green data plate means that BMW Lifetime Fluid is used. Look for the data plate, do not go by the markings molded in to the transmission case.


According the Bentley Manual,
NOTE
The transmission lubricant installed can be found on a type plate on the side of the transmission. In addition, a sticker may be located on a fluid sump indicating the type of transmission lubricant used.

More from Bentley,
Place vehicle on a lift.
Warm drivetrain by running engine until AFT reaches specified temperature (86F to 131F). Apply the brake while idling and shift through all of the gears several times. Turn engine off.
Remove ATF fill plug, place trqnsmissioin in N and restart engine.
With ATF at the specified temperature, add fluid until it spills from the fill hole.
Reinstall the plug, using new sealing ring.

[Eric93se]

So, they definitely don't sell Dex2 anymore. The good thing is all newer standards of Dex are backwards compatible (dex6). But I would stick with dex3 if I were you. If you were planning on topping off the fluid I would go one step further and do a drain and fill, its not that much more money or effort and it will get some more old fluid out and more fresh friction modifiers in there. You can get Royal Purple Max ATF, probably 3qts will let you do a drain and fill for the main pan. Remember the car has to be warmed up, raised level (I put a bubble level on the pan). When filling the car should be running and in N. Obviously you will put as much fluid in as it will take before starting the car and hand tightening the plug so it doesn't pour out when starting it.