BMW E46 manual gearbox and rear axle oil
E46 which oil goes in the manual gearbox and how much is needed?
The correct oil is shown on a sticker on the side of the gearbox, for example MTF-LT-2. About 2 litres of oil are needed. Other GL-4 class oils have worked well, because GL-5 does not suit all synchronisers, especially when cold.
E46 which oil goes in the rear axle and how much?
A standard rear axle without a limited-slip differential needs 75W-90 oil. A limited-slip rear axle needs 75W-140 oil. A limited-slip differential is standard only on the M3, so most cars take 75W-90. About 1-1.3 litres of oil is needed.
E46 how do you change the rear axle oil when there is no drain plug?
The rear axle has no drain plug, so the old oil is sucked out. The new oil is filled with a pump or by gravity. Miracle additives are not worth adding: ordinary rear axle oil is enough.
Do the E46 gearbox and rear axle oil need changing even though they are lifetime oil?
They are worth changing. Lifetime oil does not last forever, and the oils have been changed at 70-80 thousand kilometre intervals as part of a larger service.