I am new to the E46 world and am having an issue with the trunk locking. It will not unlock with the inside button or with the Master key remote. It will unlock with the master key. The lock slot is horizontal and I was thinking it should be vertical? I put the key in and it will not turn left. It doesn't matter if the top is up or down. Any thoughts? I have about 60,700 miles. I have heard I will need new front end bushings, front tires wearing on the inside. Also, what about changing automatic fluid? I have heard yes and no not ever. Rich
There may be an issue with the trunk actuator. I think you need to leave it in the middle position (I forget how it is on the E46, but the E36 is that way) for it to work with the doors, button, and remote. Change that trans fluid. BMW says you don't have to, but they don't care once it is out of warranty.
Moosehead: I just bought my wife a 98 328is with yes an automatic! It has 93,000 miles on it and the trans fluid has never been changed. I am really wanting to change the fluid, all my other BMWs get the good old fashioned maintenance schedules. So this is the only thing I have not done yet on this car since I bought is a couple months ago. Should I change the fluid with this mileage, since it is original? I am getting conflicting messages. Some say don't based on the mileage, some say I can. If I do it, I am planning to do the change myself. Any tips on the procedure? Thanks for any insight you can provide! GR
It is actually pretty straightforward. You need a pump to pump fluid into the trans through the fill hole on the side since there is no dipstick. The 98 has a GM trans in it so any good quality (better yet, synthetic) Dexron III compatible fluid will do. You can partially fill the pans before reinstalling them or just pump more in from the beginning. You may get up to 6 quarts out of the trans. Get a filter kit which will come with both pan gaskets, new bolts and the filter. Do not overtighten the bolts or you can damage the gasket. I skim coat the gasket with a very very thin coating of Yamabond 4 (get it at the motorcycle dealer) or black RTV. Very very thin. It is a messy job, so no EPA disasters, please. Always loosen the fill plug BEFORE the drain plug. Seriously. Don't bugger up the head of the fill plug when loosening it. Use a good wrench on it. Makes sure there is not even one tiny spec of old gasket on the pans or the trans sealing surfaces or you will regret it. Once you get it back together, have a helper start the car and run it through the gears a couple of times (foot on brake) and recheck and top off. Repeat a couple of times. When fluid comes out of the fill tube after running it through the gears and placing it back in park, it is full. BE SAFE! It must be filled while running which means you are under a running car!!! If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.
Moosehead. Thanks for the great advice. I have already bought the filter kit with filter, two gaskets, and replacement bolts with lock tight on them. So even with this mileage I should be okay to change the fluid? I do have a pump for the transfluid, it is amazing how it makes life easier! Thanks again for your advice! Will you be at Octoberfest? I will be there, but only for Wednesday. GR
Sadly, no. Even though it is not too far, I just don't have any time off and I work 7 days a week. Look for my brother at Road Race Technologies (I am fairly certain they are going.) He has a Henna E30 M3 and an S50B32 euro engined E36 M3. Not sure what he will be driving. Maybe one of the shop cars or the car carrier. Who knows. Let me know if it is fun. It should be fine to change fluid at that age. I have done it before at 150k and the trans shifted much better and is still going at over 200k right now (a friend's 92 E36 325i.) Buy good fluid. We used a Penzoil synthetic ATF, but any good quality ATF will do.
Paul. I am sorry to hear you won't make it to Octoberfest. This is my first one! I have wanted to go in the past but they were all pretty far from me. So I decided since it is less than five hours from me to take a day and go. I have plans this weekend, so I choose wednesday, b/c of the concours and hopefully I will see some nice cars! I will keep my eye out for your brother and say hello. Thanks for the advice on the auto trans. I am defenetly going to change the fluid. I use Red Line in my other two BMWs, in the diff, power steering and engine in my E36. Would their auto trans fluid work? If not, I will probably go with fluid from the BMW Dealership. Thanks again for the advice and help! This is such a great club! GR
