Taking over the maintenance of the '03 325i - BMW Forum

FL325i · 10-13-2007, 07:26 PM

The honeymoon is over. My wife has run the odo up to 58K and we no longer have the total maintenance package for our 325i.

I have already put new rotors and pads up front and bled the brakes. I used germanautoparts.com for the ATE rotors, Mintex semimetallic pads, and SL.6 brake fluid. I got the new pad sensor from Turner Motor Sports, not knowing that GAP stocks them. The nice thing about GAP is that they drop ship their BMW parts fom FL, so I got the pads and rotors the day after I ordered them. I have gotten scads of VW parts from them as well and their service is top notch.

I changed the spark plugs today, too. I went from the original OEM NGKs (I don't believe the dealer service calls for them yet?) to Bosch Platinum +4s for $7 each at Advance. Super easy job and those spark plug tubes are the cleanest I've ever seen. The plugs were worn, but looked good. The car is running well with the Bosch plugs.

Next up is the auto tranny. I feel as though it has already been neglected. I'm going to drop the pan and change the filter, gasket, and some fluid. Can you recommend a good site for these parts, including the correct fluid (Texaco Esso something or other?)? How much fluid will I lose by dropping the pan? I think the total is 9 qts.

All help and comments are appreciated. I'm looking forward to taking care of this car for a long time!! Thanks!!

FL325i · 10-13-2007, 07:58 PM

I have another plug question. Is the Bosch 4417 the same as the Bosch FGR7DQP? Both are 4 prong plats and recommended for my engine, but GAP gets $14 and change for each FGR7DQP, and I paid $7 for the 4417s.

FL325i · 10-13-2007, 09:51 PM

From looking at the bavauto.com site, it looks like I need 4 liters of the Esso ATF at $18.95 per and the $99 filter and gasket kit. Can I get it cheaper anywhere else?

FL325i · 10-13-2007, 10:57 PM

I ordered 4 bottles of the VW fluid (same as Esso LT 71141) from worldimpex.com for $55 total, and the filter and gasket from autohausaz.com for $53 (shipping included).

FL325i · 10-14-2007, 12:04 AM

That was $73 for the fluid ($15 and change a bottle + shipping).

FL325i · 10-16-2007, 09:17 PM

No pictures until next week. The filter is coming UPS ground from Arizona. Won't get to FL until Monday...

AlpineSixAndSeven · 10-16-2007, 09:46 PM

cool. its good your keeping up with the maintanence

FL325i · 10-18-2007, 09:54 PM

Coolant arrived today. Replaced the front emblem which had peeled. Waiting for the rear emblem which was stolen last week.

FL325i · 10-22-2007, 04:13 PM

Kit arrived today. I wasn't planing to swap the bolts, but it came with new bolts with blue loctite, so I guess that's a bonus. I can't wait to see what the old fluid and filter look like...

FL325i · 10-26-2007, 10:21 PM

Got it done tonight. It was due. Here's the difference in fluid color:

Here is the old filter. Notice the brown filter media inside. The new one is yellow.

Here is the magnet. I cleaned the bottom half for comparison. Plenty of metal paste on it.

The gasket was original. It is a GM copper gasket. The new gasket in the kit from AutohausAZ.com is rubber. The one thing that threw me a little was the plastic ring that is supposed to go below the seals on the nozzle of the filter to the valve body WAS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAN. Looks like it was never installed properly! Anyway, it is back together and shifting very smoothly again. I'll swap the fluid every 15k and drop the pan every 30K. I have the same regimen with my Isuzu Rodeo which has a very similar set up. It has the GM 4L-30E tranny which I have heard was used in some BMW vehicles.

FL325i · 10-26-2007, 10:53 PM

Let me add that I put nearly all of the 4L of fluid I ordered in after bolting the pan back up. You might want to get a fifth liter just in case of spillage!

FL325i · 10-27-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL325i

Coolant arrived today. Replaced the front emblem which had peeled. Waiting for the rear emblem which was stolen last week.

Should read ATF!

jllphan · 10-27-2007, 10:55 AM

good write up, good info thanks for sharing

FL325i · 10-27-2007, 03:56 PM

Wife called me on my cell to tell me that the car wouldn't go. Something about the transmission. I ask her where she is. She tells me she's about 45 minutes away from the house, and allows me to say several bad words before telling me she's kidding. This is wrong.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 10-28-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL325i

Wife called me on my cell to tell me that the car wouldn't go. Something about the transmission. I ask her where she is. She tells me she's about 45 minutes away from the house, and allows me to say several bad words before telling me she's kidding. This is wrong.

.......that sucks sounds like she has a bad since of humor but at least it turned out to be a joke and not the real thing...