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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB Did my 1,200 mile service yesterday

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      06-29-2015, 08:06 AM   #1
EEBreh
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Did my 1,200 mile service yesterday

Threw my M235i on my rotary lift yesterday and I changed the oils. The engine oil filter had lots of little metal particles and small pieces of blue (sealant) in it. Transmission oil looked okay at first, the stuff at the end of the drain looked a little dark. Differential oil was absolutely nasty in comparison to what was going in. Overall, I am happy I did it and it was worth the $200 in fluids/filters. The manual transmission is still a little notchy (I have done some highway driving so I am not shifting as much, therefore it is probably not fully broken in yet.) However, I did notice a small improvement in the shifts, specifically 1st gear to 2nd gear.

So if you are on the fence about doing it, I would highly suggest it! I'll upload pics and maybe do a little DIY article if anyone is interested.
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      07-03-2015, 02:58 AM   #2
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Is this supposed to be done under the free maintenance or recommended somewhere?
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      07-03-2015, 05:45 AM   #3
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I can see changing the engine oil/filter early but everything else your way too early on. But its your money and peace of mind. What kind and how much oil did you use on the trans and diff? Thanks,

Side note, gear oil is always going to be nasty. New and old.
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      07-03-2015, 08:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveInfante View Post
Is this supposed to be done under the free maintenance or recommended somewhere?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jb606 View Post
I can see changing the engine oil/filter early but everything else your way too early on. But its your money and peace of mind. What kind and how much oil did you use on the trans and diff? Thanks,

Side note, gear oil is always going to be nasty. New and old.

BMW does not mention anything about this for our cars. They only still do the 1200 mile service on the M cars (M3, M4, M5, etc). This service includes all of the oils, which is everything I've done. Coincidentally, they use to recommend that it was done on ALL BMW cars prior to their creation of their "free maintenance" program. BMW made this service mandatory/included for the 1M which has the exact same transmission that our cars do.

Oil analysis that has been performed on BMW engines before has shown that there is a decent amount of metal in the oil at 1200 miles. I imagine the same would occur for any item that has to wear in with movable components. This includes both the differential and the transmission. People such as Mike Miller, who writes the tech article portion in the BMWCCA magazine, Roundel, recommend this.

The fluid in the diff was absolutely filthy in comparison to the new stuff that went in. The old stuff was very dark.

I bought 3 Liters of LT5 fluid for my Trans, I used 2.
The diff I bought 2, used 1. You have to use a suction pump to suck the fluid out of the diff.

Last edited by EEBreh; 07-03-2015 at 08:39 AM..
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      07-03-2015, 02:03 PM   #5
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Thanks for the information. I will have to do this when the car gets back to the states.
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      07-03-2015, 02:07 PM   #6
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Thanks so much for taking the time to write this up. Im shy of about 100 miles till 1200 and I was already going to do this service since stumbling upon it a few months back, but your writeup made it solid and confirmed in my opinion a mandatory service for our M235.. Thank you sir!
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      07-17-2015, 03:12 PM   #7
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I wouldn't mind doing a full fluid flush; I just passed 1,300 miles. Where can we get all the supplies for cheapest?

Thanks!
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      07-18-2015, 12:28 AM   #8
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I got a kit from Tisher, a forum sponsor. Very reasonable IMO http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...egoryID=217024
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      07-18-2015, 12:57 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIRST1 View Post
I wouldn't mind doing a full fluid flush; I just passed 1,300 miles. Where can we get all the supplies for cheapest?

Thanks!
I went to getBMWparts.com (which is tischer).

I got the following...

2 XJ Fluid containers (only used 1) (For diff)
3 LT5 containers (only used 2) (For MT)
1 OEM Oil Filter (Pricey compared to other sites, but whatever)
8 Liters of Oil, used only about 6 or 7...I forgot.
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      12-13-2015, 05:13 PM   #10
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Thanks for the write. Good info re the previous and current M requirements for fluid changes. If you can do a DIY with pictures would be great.
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      01-09-2016, 02:58 AM   #11
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Thanks for reporting your findings. I just ordered my 235 and I will also do a 1200 mile fluid change. I'm sure a write up with pictures would be helpful for many owners if you have the time to write it up and post it. While I have not looked at the underside of a 235, I know the underside of my 2006 330i gave the impression of an area sealed off from the owner. You really had to hunt around to figure out what plastic panels to open or remove just to get to the drain plugs. I had to buy the special wrench for the oil filter just to do oil changes. Plus, my differential didn't even have a drain plug. I had to insert a hose into the fill hole and pump the fluid out. BMW makes it tough on the home garage mechanic.
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      01-09-2016, 06:20 AM   #12
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^^^
Legal Bill the diff single drain plug is actually a helpful design.
I don't know if it's done for cost or deterance. but as many have said before - imagine if you drained the diff but then couldn't get the fill-hole open? This way it would never get to that disaster.
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      02-16-2016, 01:56 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottSinger View Post
^^^
Legal Bill the diff single drain plug is actually a helpful design.
I don't know if it's done for cost or deterance. but as many have said before - imagine if you drained the diff but then couldn't get the fill-hole open? This way it would never get to that disaster.
Well, after doing diff fluid changes for 43 years, I always open the fill fitting before I open the drain plug. I don't really find a single plug for the fill to be that helpful. At least not for me.
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      02-27-2016, 11:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Legal Bill View Post
Thanks for reporting your findings. I just ordered my 235 and I will also do a 1200 mile fluid change. I'm sure a write up with pictures would be helpful for many owners if you have the time to write it up and post it. While I have not looked at the underside of a 235, I know the underside of my 2006 330i gave the impression of an area sealed off from the owner. You really had to hunt around to figure out what plastic panels to open or remove just to get to the drain plugs. I had to buy the special wrench for the oil filter just to do oil changes. Plus, my differential didn't even have a drain plug. I had to insert a hose into the fill hole and pump the fluid out. BMW makes it tough on the home garage mechanic.
Greetings Bill,

In my short history with BMW, the fluid changes are the easiest of any vehicle I have owned to date. Oil changes for me were a 30 minute job complete with panel removal, filter, etc with no special tools... The diff was another 20 minutes.. All on ramps, no jack stands.

I look forward to my next BMW (M235) to be the same. N52 and N55 are amazing engines with engineering that makes you laugh at it's brilliance, and an overall a pleasure to work on.

Cheers
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      03-05-2016, 05:57 AM   #15
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Hi,
Doing self service of vehicle is good mode of saving money.
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      03-05-2016, 03:01 PM   #16
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Other than the oil filter are there any other special wrenches needed? Also, anyone know of any good manuals or diy walkthroughs for this type of job?
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      03-05-2016, 03:23 PM   #17
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Quote:
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Other than the oil filter are there any other special wrenches needed? Also, anyone know of any good manuals or diy walkthroughs for this type of job?
you will need something to take the filter out...

here is a good DIY it's the same engine http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=595783
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      03-05-2016, 03:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BentZero View Post
Other than the oil filter are there any other special wrenches needed? Also, anyone know of any good manuals or diy walkthroughs for this type of job?
You need an oil filter wrench, I don't know if I can link to an outside vendor without getting in trouble but here is an example of one.

I believe you need an 8MM allen for the transmission fill and drain plug. I believe the Differential is the same. You will need a fluid transfer pump for the differential.

I am doing an oil change in two weeks so I will have my car up on the lift then. I will make a suitable DIY for the engine, transmission and differential fluids at that time.

PS: Big fan of BMWCCA. I don't know if you read Roudel but I follow Mike Millers old school maintenance manual. If you have any interest in it, I can send you the copy he sent me.
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      03-05-2016, 04:24 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EEBreh
Quote:
Originally Posted by BentZero View Post
Other than the oil filter are there any other special wrenches needed? Also, anyone know of any good manuals or diy walkthroughs for this type of job?
You need an oil filter wrench, I don't know if I can link to an outside vendor without getting in trouble but here is an example of one.

I believe you need an 8MM allen for the transmission fill and drain plug. I believe the Differential is the same. You will need a fluid transfer pump for the differential.

I am doing an oil change in two weeks so I will have my car up on the lift then. I will make a suitable DIY for the engine, transmission and differential fluids at that time.

PS: Big fan of BMWCCA. I don't know if you read Roudel but I follow Mike Millers old school maintenance manual. If you have any interest in it, I can send you the copy he sent me.
Drain plug for the oil is a regular 17mm socket I think. Not sure about trans
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      04-01-2016, 11:23 AM   #20
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Just hit the break-in and now its time for an oil change. Which oil should I get for my area here in South Carolina? 5w30 or 0w30? Thanks.
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      04-01-2016, 11:25 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BentZero
Just hit the break-in and now its time for an oil change. Which oil should I get for my area here in South Carolina? 5w30 or 0w30? Thanks.
Just use the factory bmw 5w30 oil. If something happens to your engine and they take a sample, if you use the factory stuff they wont void your warranty. You can get it bery reasonably (6-7/ quart from tischer). Filter is cheap too, around $10. I got my stuff from an alternative place which is a little cheaper. Also 0w30 is very thin, a lot of manufacturers put in a lot of effort to make sure the engine doesnt consume the thin oil (different piston rings are used, etc). After warranty ill probably run a ether based oil like redline.
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      04-01-2016, 12:30 PM   #22
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Is the 0-30 oil thin or does it act like a thin oil just in freezing temperatures?
But I do use and like the BMW 5W30 oil.
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