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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 STogpbOIsnGIk4Ov8fB34Nbs3QZ89O9/881Um0hKHz8g1+hzVoP3DmUWN4xBD6g1
 oj8XuxibneEfnY1Xn4dOSA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000840467-04-000208.txt : 20041019
<SEC-HEADER>0000840467-04-000208.hdr.sgml : 20041019
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041019133300
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000840467-04-000208
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040629
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041019
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041019

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECKMAN COULTER INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000840467
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS [3826]
		IRS NUMBER:				951040600
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 N HARBOR BLVD
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 3100
		CITY:			FULLERTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92834-3100
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7147736907

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4300 N HARBOR BLVD
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 3100
		CITY:			FULLERTON
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92834-3100

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WOODS BETTY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216698

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10109
		FILM NUMBER:		041084846

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PACIFIC NORTHWEST BANCORP
		STREET 2:		1111 THIRD AVE STE 250
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98101-0840
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2066249761

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PACIFIC NORTHWEST BANCORP
		STREET 2:		1111 THIRD AVE STE 250
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98101-0084
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-29</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-06-30</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000840467</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BECKMAN COULTER INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BEC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216698</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WOODS BETTY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PACIFIC NORTHWEST BANCORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1111 THIRD AVE STE 250</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98101-0084</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>285.659</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>58.9988</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>285.659</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3754.721</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Plan Administrator incorrectly reported the number of shares of phantom stock acquired in this benefit plan transaction to the Company.  The correct number of shares was determined when quarterly statements were reviewed; therefore, the number is being amended at this time.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares of phantom stock become payable, in cash or common stock, upon the reporting person's termination as a director.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Deborah J. Stouff, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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