E46 330i: which manual box and differential fluid?

[g3org3y]

Hi all,

Want to change the manual box fluid + differential fluid on my E46 330i.

Any idea what I should be buying?

Looking back, appears I used Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75W 90 for my E36's diff. Do I use the same stuff? (According to the Haynes Manual, looks like the correct spec)

Re the manual box it just says 'BMW Lifetime Transmission oil'.

TIA

Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 18th September 23:47

[helix402]

Diff oil, you are correct. Your gearbox oil is listed on real oem or a sticker on the side of the box.

Probably MTF LT2 (but check). This is £30/litre from BMW. It’s 75w80, some say GL4 some say GL5. This meets the specs:

[helix402]

Diff oil:



Early diffs need new plug washers. Later ones need new plugs. Older gearboxes don’t need new plugs. Newer ones do. 2l of diff and box oil are needed. (Both take just over 1l).

[g3org3y]

Thanks for the info.

Looking at RealOEM, looks like MTF-LT-2

Part number search (83222339219) on eBay suggests this is the Genuine BMW stuff. I'm happy to use the genuine stuff if it's the best (and I don't intend to change it again for a long time!)

Is this the plug you're talking about re the diff. O ring included.

[helix402]

g3org3y said:

Thanks for the info.

Looking at RealOEM, looks like MTF-LT-2

Part number search (83222339219) on eBay suggests this is the Genuine BMW stuff. I'm happy to use the genuine stuff if it's the best (and I don't intend to change it again for a long time!)

Is this the plug you're talking about re the diff. O ring included.

Yes, that’s the correct oil, and you can use the later diff plug in all diffs-you’ll need two.

[rezaq]

I think you want Castrol Syntrans B for the manual gearbox.

[E-bmw]

To 100% confirm the 'box oil you will need to look at the (orange IIRC) tab on the box as there are some that use ATF & some that use gear oil in the manuals.

[helix402]

E-bmw said:

To 100% confirm the 'box oil you will need to look at the (orange IIRC) tab on the box as there are some that use ATF & some that use gear oil in the manuals.

The sticker is like this: