Less than a quart for the transfer case.

I think 2.5 or so for the manual trans (my indy did mine a few months back).

Get 4 quarts. Worst comes to worst you'll have an extra quart for a future change!

RB,

Thanks for the info! I am sort of embarrassed that I couldn't find the info on the web.

ct

You don't list your vehicle details in your signature line or in your profile, so there is no way to tell......but it is important to note that that fluid is only suitable for transfer cases in pre-2004 (non x-drive) models.

Not sure which transmission you have either, but that is a whole other debate.

JCL,

Thanks for the advice. Sorry that I haven't taken the time to add more data. It's a 2001 so the synthetic should be fine. I'm curious why the later (XDrive) design is not compatible with synthetic.......please enlighten me.

ct

Nothing to do with synthetic or not. The recommended fluid isn't synthetic but any Dexron fluid should do, as it isn't a demanding application from a fluid performance perspective. People seem to think that synthetic has some inherent advantage, due to marketing $$ more than anything. The fluid you list doesn't meet the BMW spec but should work fine.

X drive transfer cases have clutch plates to vary torque distribution front/rear. Those clutch plates depend on specific friction additives in the fluid to work properly. Only the BMW fluid has those friction modifiers. There is no aftermarket fluid that has them since there isn't a published spec.

Ah yes.....shades of Positraction from 60's/70's GM musclecars. I had a '67 GTO and a '70 Trans AM. Both required special stuff for their "Posi" rear ends. "Only BMW fluid will do" reminds me of CHF 111 required for the power steering of my 94 e34 530i.

Anyway, I won't worry about it until I find a 6 speed X5 with the sport package.

I like this 2001 model so well that I'm looking for another!

ct

I also have a 2004 with the 6 speed manual and I want to change out my transmission and xfer case fluid. So it sounds like I should go with the redline d4 atf as well than?

What's this, JCL saying that it's not a bad idea to change transmission fluid for a manual tranny, even though BMW say that it is Lifetime???

Use the BMW juice for the Xfer case.

Transmission - you can use D4 ATF, but I recommend using MTL or MT-90 depending on your climate.

Not exactly a new position. That post was from 2012. The fact that it is a lifetime fluid suggests that there is no data on any benefit to changing it, but with a manual transmission there is no downside if the work is done correctly.

What is funny is that people are spending additional money on a synthetic fluid with no functional benefit, and one which doesn't even meet the basic spec. The power of marketing $$.....