I should've known this, but the Bimmer version of the 4L30E is sealed as well. Google it and read the list of compaints on the same subject.

Tad made a good point about the pre-96 transmission, and the fact that it's dipstick tube does not enter at the pan.

I suppose that I could weld a tube into the pan, bend it appropriately and bolt it up. This wouldn't be so much for checking the fluid level (my driveway helps me do this -no spots = good level), but for checking fluid condition easily. But then again, I don't rough up the vehicle(s) too often, and after I do, I always crawl underneath and look for damage. I can just check the fluid through the fill holes when I'm down there.
Also, there have been problems with tranny fluid blowing past the dipsticks in some vehicles (GMs in particular). I don't want to have to deal with some cobbled up dipstick lock either.

I suppose that I'm just stuck with this silly sealed transmission until I get the funds together for the Ascender 5.3/4L60E engine/tranny swap...