Just picked up a 2000 540i 6 spd and everytime I pick up a used car the tasks that I do almost immediately are:

1.) oil and oil filter change
2.) transmission fluid change
3.) differential fluid change
4.) clutch fluid change
5.) brake fluid change
6.) spark plug change
7.) spark plug wire change
8.) fluid injector and intake valve cleaner

I do have a few concerns and would like opinions over what brand and which fluid/part to use.

Let's start off with an easy one, the oil filter I'm sure will probably be the oem ones but choosing the engine oil is what I'm having trouble with. I live in vancouver B.C. Canada. The winters here are only -10 degree celsius coldest and the summers here are only 32 degree celsius hottest so I'm not sure whether mobil 1's 15w-50 would be a good choice because of the winter temperatures here. I know 10w-40 would work for sure but those aren't readily available locally here from mobil 1 or castrol......only redline. If I want to stay with mobil 1 or castrol then my only options are 10w-30. Problem is I've heard that with e39 540i you have to use xW-40.....with x being related to the temperature range of the country you live in so the 40 is definitely the minimum regardless of the temperatures you live in. what would you guys recommend? If there are options for oil filters as well please let me know.

now the second question would be the spark plug. I have 2 choices:
1.) NGK iridium plugs
2.) Bosch platinum plus 4

I've heard about how the bosch plus 4 will result in very rough idling so maybe someone here can clarify that with me.

Third question would be manual transmission fluid. There are three options for me:
1.) redline MT-90
2.) redline MTL
3.) redline synthetic D4 ATF

I've heard that the e39 540i and other newer model bmws must use option #3 and older bmw's must use option #2 so again maybe someone here can verify that. Gosh BMW's sure are picky cars.....

Fourth question would be the differential oil type to use.
My choice is limited to only redline as they have proven themself worthy but there are so many redline gear oil to choose from. I know the e39 540i doesn't come with limited slip so that limits it to only redline gear oil with NS at the end of the number. 75w90 or 75w140? The confusing part is that redline claims that even the gear oils with friction modifiers can be used with non slip differentials?? Doesn't that just make things more complicated. So maybe you guys can post what gear oil you use to help me make up my mind.

well the clutch and brake fluid will be the same fluid and I guess they have to be dot 4 so not much decision to be made there as mobil 1 supplies that locally here anyways. But it would be nice to hear what the ppl on this forum are using just for reference sake.

last but not least the fuel injector and intake valve cleaner. I'm thinking of the redline s1 complete fuel system cleaner as they have worked wonders with my previous car but I would also like to know what ppl on this forum are using.

Thanks to all who help out in advance. :)

now the second question would be the spark plug. I have 2 choices:
1.) NGK iridium plugs
2.) Bosch platinum plus 4

I've heard about how the bosch plus 4 will result in very rough idling so maybe someone here can clarify that with me.

I believe the Bosch are stock. I hven't heard that they cause a rough idle. I like NGK plugs and plan to try a set when it's time to replace mine. I'm sure either will work for you.

Third question would be manual transmission fluid. There are three options for me:
1.) redline MT-90
2.) redline MTL
3.) redline synthetic D4 ATF

I've heard that the e39 540i and other newer model bmws must use option #3 and older bmw's must use option #2 so again maybe someone here can verify that. Gosh BMW's sure are picky cars.....

It's not true that newer cars use ATF. From 98 BMW used a fluid that is supposed to be good for the "lifetime" of the car. This is MTL-2, which is a gear oil, not ATF.

I think the MT90 is a bit too heavy.

That said, some people use ATF in late model transmissions and some people use gear oil. The claim is that the ATF makes shifts faster because it is less viscous.

Someone recently pointed out to me that there isn't much difference in Redline MTL and D4ATF. If you search their website you can find a table that compares the fluids, which confirms this. To me it appears that the D4 ATF is a little less viscous at low temperatures.

So, your choice MTL or D4ATF. Either will work. Neither seems to cause a problem.

I plan on using gear oil becuase I believe it will protect the gears better, but that's just my belief.

Fourth question would be the differential oil type to use.
My choice is limited to only redline as they have proven themself worthy but there are so many redline gear oil to choose from. I know the e39 540i doesn't come with limited slip so that limits it to only redline gear oil with NS at the end of the number. 75w90 or 75w140? The confusing part is that redline claims that even the gear oils with friction modifiers can be used with non slip differentials?? Doesn't that just make things more complicated. So maybe you guys can post what gear oil you use to help me make up my mind.

First, I'd go with 75W90 unless you expect that the car will see heavy use.

Second, you don't need the friction modifiers but they will not be a problem AFAIK.

IMHO, go with 75W90NS.

well the clutch and brake fluid will be the same fluid and I guess they have to be dot 4 so not much decision to be made there as mobil 1 supplies that locally here anyways. But it would be nice to hear what the ppl on this forum are using just for reference sake.

I use Castrol LMA, which is reasonably cheap and locally available. I lot of people like ATE Super Blue.

last but not least the fuel injector and intake valve cleaner. I'm thinking of the redline s1 complete fuel system cleaner as they have worked wonders with my previous car but I would also like to know what ppl on this forum are using.

I've used Chevron Techron for many years with good success. I've read that the Redline cleaner is good and you apparently agree.

Let's start off with an easy one, the oil filter I'm sure will probably be the oem ones but choosing the engine oil is what I'm having trouble with. I live in vancouver B.C. Canada. The winters here are only -10 degree celsius coldest and the summers here are only 32 degree celsius hottest so I'm not sure whether mobil 1's 15w-50 would be a good choice because of the winter temperatures here. I know 10w-40 would work for sure but those aren't readily available locally here from mobil 1 or castrol......only redline. If I want to stay with mobil 1 or castrol then my only options are 10w-30. Problem is I've heard that with e39 540i you have to use xW-40.....with x being related to the temperature range of the country you live in so the 40 is definitely the minimum regardless of the temperatures you live in. what would you guys recommend? If there are options for oil filters as well please let me know.

I'd go with the dealer recommendations for oil. They often sell the oil about as cheap as you can buy synthetic anywhere, so they are a good source.

BMW, Mann, or Mahle oil filters. I bought a 5 pack of Mann filters from a forum sponsor because my son's 323 and my 530 use the same filter. I think the main thing is to use a correct filter and change it often.

wow thanks for your imformative posts......now I can start purchasing the fluids/parts that I need. I was curious with the spark plugs.....I believe the bosch "plus 2" is stock on the e39 540i but I'm afraid to use the "plus 4" due to rough idling warnings from other 540i owners (more like 1 guy from the gym).

As for the engine oil.....the dealers here recommend 0W-40 to 5W-50 for the newer bmw models..........with the older ones (e39,e36) I have no idea what they would use.....probably 10w-40 to 10w-50 due to higher kilometers on cars hence thicker oil weight to help with minimizing oil burn off?? I'm just shooting in the dark here.............

I'll try and look into the other 2 oil filters that you recommended.....mainly to find out cost. I never go more than 10,000kms between oil and filter change with any car I own regardless of what the dealer says (24,000kms?!!!). The last honda I had was every 5000-6000kms......the last vw I had was every 10,000kms......the last lexus I had was also every 10,000kms. I just believe that frequent oil changes are better for the engine life and performance of your car. :D