I'm going to change the trans filter / pan gasket in my '89 300E in the next week or so. I've got some questions for the brain trust...

Since I own a Topsider I was thinking that I would first suck out as much of the ATF as possible in order to minimize the flood of red stuff when I drop the pan. Is this something that I should NOT do for some reason? let me know.

Also, what is the experience of the list members regarding using synthetic ATF instead of the regular stuff. Since the trans fluid / filter are changed far less often than the engine oil, I wondered if it made sense to use a quality synthetic product.

My car has 104K miles on it and is a cherry - I want to keep it that way!

Thanks in advance. Your replies and opinions are greatly appreciated.

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Jay Yambrovich
Scotts Valley, CA.

1993 300 CE Cabriolet (A124) 131K miles
1997 C-280 133K miles

2000 BMW R1100RT 69K miles
1989 300 E 216K miles (sold)