Help Asap! E39 - BMW Forum

Silverstreak · 03-06-2005, 09:49 PM

Hey my Dad's 1999 E39 540i 6 speed manual needs new transmission fluid quickly. This stupid rubber plug fell out of the bottom and slowly leaked it all onto the floor!
We looked up what it takes (at autozone heh) and the computer database said industrial gear lubricant?!? WTF!

Where can we get this stuff? Does it have a real name or what? I thought it would take the same mobil 1 ATF as my 5spd 328is but now we're afraid to put anything in it!

If anbody knows please help us, also how much does the tranny take?

Thank you!

billB · 03-06-2005, 10:46 PM

There should be a sticker on the tranny; just read what it says on it- it may be color coded/yellow/green etc...let us know.

Dirty_Tool · 03-06-2005, 11:06 PM

I believe it takes MTF-LT1 which you will most likely only find at the BMW dealer. Its lifetime fluid so it is not cheap.
DT

CosmosBlack · 03-07-2005, 03:45 AM

I wouldn't mess with that fluild unless you know what you're doing.
This is one time you are better off going to your dealer.
Like dirty tool said, it's a special fluid and is expensive.
I have heard stories from my independent mechanic, about people who tried to add fluid to their transmission and didn't know what they were doing...OUCH! New transmission before long!