BMW 3 series, E21 (USA)

Manual transmission fluid capacity & service interval

BMW 3 series, E21 (USA) manual transmission fluid capacity ranges from 1 to 1,5 liters. Service intervals include checks at 15000 or 125000 miles and changes at 25000 or 30000 miles. The data covers 3 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
  • 320 i (1979-1982)
  • Getrag
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,5 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 30000 miles/ 24 months
  • Code: 245/4 5/1
  • 320 i (1976-1979)
  • Getrag
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 125000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 25000 miles/ 24 months
  • Code: 242 4/1
  • 320 i (1976-1979)
  • Getrag
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 125000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 25000 miles/ 24 months
  • Code: 242 4/1

Additional Notes

  • The BMW 3 Series E21 (USA) 320i produced from 1976-1979 carries a manual Getrag transmission fluid capacity of 1 liter, which represents the service fill volume for that unit.
  • The 320i from 1979-1982 uses a manual Getrag transmission with a notably larger fluid capacity of 1.5 liters, reflecting a physically different or revised transmission unit compared to the earlier 1976-1979 variant.
  • Under normal use conditions, the 1976-1979 320i specifies a fluid change interval of 25,000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first.
  • The 1979-1982 320i carries a longer change interval of 30,000 miles or 24 months under normal use conditions, paired with a check interval of 15,000 miles or 12 months.
  • The 1976-1979 320i specifies a fluid check interval of 125,000 miles or 12 months, a notably high mileage threshold for a periodic inspection point relative to the change interval of 25,000 miles.

Other Systems