BMW 501, 502, 3200 (EU)

Manual transmission fluid capacity & service interval

BMW 501, 502, 3200 (EU) manual transmission fluid capacity ranges from 1,5 to 1,75 liters. Service intervals include a check at 3000 km and a change at 12000 km. The data covers 6 configurations.

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

TypeSpecifications
3200 (1961-1963)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,75 liter
  • Check 3000 km
  • Change 12000 km
  • Code: 4/1
501 V8 (1955-1958)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,75 liter
  • Check 3000 km
  • Change 12000 km
  • Code: ZF S4-15 4/1
501/6 (1955-1958)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,5 liter
  • Check 3000 km
  • Change 12000 km
  • Code: ZF S4-15 4/1
502 3.2 (1955-1961)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,75 liter
  • Check 3000 km
  • Change 12000 km
  • Code: ZF S4-15 4/1
503 (1955-1959)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,75 liter
  • Check 3000 km
  • Change 12000 km
  • Code: ZF S4-15 4/1
502 (1954-1961)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,75 liter
  • Check 3000 km
  • Change 12000 km
  • Code: ZF S4-15 4/1

Additional Notes

  • The BMW 501/6 (1955-1958) carries a manual transmission fluid capacity of 1.5 liters, which is lower than the 1.75-liter figure shared by the other variants in the lineup. This difference reflects a smaller gearbox unit paired with the six-cylinder engine compared to the V8-equipped models.
  • The 1.75-liter capacity specified for the 501 V8 (1955-1958), 502 (1954-1961), 502 3.2 (1955-1961), 503 (1955-1959), and 3200 (1961-1963) is a service fill figure, representing the amount of fluid required during a standard drain-and-refill procedure rather than a full overhaul quantity.
  • A check interval of 3,000 km applies uniformly across all six variants under normal use conditions. At mid-20th century service standards, 3,000 km represented a relatively short inspection cycle, consistent with the maintenance expectations of the era for gearbox fluid level verification.
  • The change interval of 12,000 km under normal use conditions is the same across all listed variants. For vehicles of this period, 12,000 km was a common drain cycle, reflecting both the lower oxidation stability of period-correct gear oils and the mechanical tolerances of the transmissions involved.
  • The 502 and 502 3.2 share identical manual transmission specifications despite differing engine displacements. Both use 1.75 liters with a 3,000 km check and 12,000 km change interval, indicating the same gearbox unit was retained across the two engine variants of the 502 series during their overlapping production years of 1955-1961.
  • All specifications across the six variants are designated for normal use conditions. No severe-use or alternative interval data is listed, meaning the 3,000 km check and 12,000 km change figures apply solely within that defined operating context.

Other Systems