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I have a manual 97 m3. I know the trans oil hasn't been changed recently so I am looking to doing it. Is the procedure the same as for an automatic car? Whats a good oil to put in there?

The diff i know needs a 14mm hex, Ill probably go buy one. Whats a good oil for this? Is a pump kit needed to drain it properly?

See if this helps. It's for E36 models but I don't know how much more different the procedure would be for the M3.

E36 Transmission Fluid Change (http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_change_manual_transmission_fluid.html)

I used that write-up for my car. Pretty much the same thing. Go out to Napa and get that Sta-Lube pump. I don't know how I would've filled it without it.
Same thing for the diff. I had a hard time getting that 14mm hex though. I tried to find a 14mm allen at Sears to hack off but couldn't. I ended up getting a socket-hex on Ebay. It still was a little too long(space is tight back there) to get a ratchet on it. I had to use a 14mm open end wrench on it. Everything worked out fine though.
I used Redline MT-90 in the tranny and that 75W-90 gear oil for the diff. Watch out for that diff fluid, it stinks like hell.

Just make sure that you remove the FILL plug on the tranny first (the upper one). You do not want to drain the fluid and find you cannot get the fill plug out!!!

On the diff, I found a 14mm hex socket at AutoZone. I had to hacksaw a portion off, then I used a pair of vise grips to turn the bolt. Not too hard. The hardest part is pumping the stupid diff oil into the diff - it is awkward.

Jeff

Thanks for all the great advice, I better save thi thread so I can refer back to it later.

What do most of think about bmw saying that the tranny oil doesn't need to replaced? I am 97m3 so that is the first year it was placed. I read that the oil builds up thickness in areas that needs it and if the oil is drained it will cause trans. problems

can someone answer the last question posted?

Thanks for all the great advice, I better save thi thread so I can refer back to it later.

What do most of think about bmw saying that the tranny oil doesn't need to replaced? I am 97m3 so that is the first year it was placed. I read that the oil builds up thickness in areas that needs it and if the oil is drained it will cause trans. problems

I can't see that happening for a manual transmission. The drain bolt is on the bottom and all the oil will just drain out. For an automatic tranny, I could see the bulk of the old ATF hiding inside the torque converter and all the hydraulic gear clutches. Changing your tranny fluid will prevent problems, not cause them, unless you make some kind of mistake.

You need a pump kit to insert the fluid into the diff and tranny. I recommend Swepco 201:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/catalog/car_care/Swepco.htm

-Wayne

Don't forget to buy or borrow a breaker bar. Those plugs are hard to get off.

I just gave my box wrench a few small whacks with a rubber mallet for both the trans and diff plugs.