1200 mile service

[2008bimmerM3]

Just got my 1200 mile service done on a 6 speed manual tranmission

Service advisor said that the only thing required is the oil and differential (gear oil) change.

Can anyone confirm that the transmission fluid on a 2008 model doesn't need to be changed?

[!Xoible]

no. it does need to be changed for sure. go to another dealer

[nullspace]

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

no. it does need to be changed for sure. go to another dealer

On a manual? I haven't heard that before.

[ismelllikepoop]

Originally Posted by nullspace

On a manual? I haven't heard that before.

i got mine changed but i remember someone on here saying that b/c of the mass confusion with dct they nixed that.

[eagletangogreen]

I have a really cool relationship with my service manager>> She also confirmed the following>

Yes
The engine oil
The trannny fluid
The Diff Fluid
The Filter (carbon one)

Tell them to pound sand, and take your ride somewhere else...

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by nullspace

On a manual? I haven't heard that before.

it's okay, we've all been n00bs at some point in our lives

[FStop7]

It says right in the service book that comes with your car that engine oil, air filter, transmission fluid, and diff fluid are changed for the 1200 mile service.

[newtom3]

for the DCT (I know this thread is about 6MT), I did read in the manual that they say do NOT change the tranny lubricant at the 1200.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by 2008bimmerM3

Just got my 1200 mile service done on a 6 speed manual tranmission

Service advisor said that the only thing required is the oil and differential (gear oil) change.

Can anyone confirm that the transmission fluid on a 2008 model doesn't need to be changed?

I have a 2009 6MT and my transmission fluid WAS NOT changed at 1200. Same thing with another member, Southlight. It is not listed in my service booklet, and the German dealerships showed me that it was not called for based on the key data and their service guide. Hope that helps...I know that other members have had theirs changed though.

[2008bimmerM3]

After having worked with BMW customer service and the dealer doing more research, they are going to replace the transmission fluid. It IS supposed to be changed on the 2008 models, 6 speed MT.

[!Xoible]

Originally Posted by 2008bimmerM3

After having worked with BMW customer service and the dealer doing more research, they are going to replace the transmission fluid. It IS supposed to be changed on the 2008 models, 6 speed MT.

you know what if that dealer has to research it then they have not done it before. ditch them and go somewhere else

edit: i heard New Century has good service

[2008bimmerM3]

I can't ditch them because they started the maintenance service so anywhere else I would have to pay for it. Apparently no other dealer can get reimbursed for this part of the service once the 1200 mile service was initiated.

[Perpetrator]

Which Socal dealer did you use? I've got mine scheduled for tomorrow at Long Beach, so I hope it's not the same dealer!

[!Xoible]

yes, long beach is the one he's speaking of.

good luck to you both.

[Perpetrator]

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

yes, long beach is the one he's speaking of.

good luck to you both.

Fo rils??? Ugghh. they've sold so many M's, i thought they'd be on top of this. i don't want to have to cancel my appt. now i have a decision to ponder for today.

[FStop7]

My 1200mi service is also tomorrow @ Long Beach BMW. I guess we'll find out. I'm not sweating it much as long as they don't overfill the engine oil.

[TLud]

Took my '09 6MT in for the 1,200 mile service this morning and asked my SA about this very topic. He showed me the computer printout detailing the various aspects of the service, and it did not include the tranny fluid. He acknowledged that this was different than in the past, but couldn't tell me when this changed, whether this was new for '09 models, or whether BMW now uses different lifetime tranny fluid for the 6MT.

He was cool enough about it, but said that if I wanted the tranny fluid changed, I would have to pay for it myself. I'll take it down to a good local shop in the area and have them do it. I'll get to choose the fluid I want, and I won't have to pay an arm and a leg.

EDIT: My thought is that everyone has the same tranny fluid, and BMW hasn't put in new "lifetime" fluid. So, if BMW thought it was a good idea before to change out the fluid at 1,200 miles, what changed? My guess would be that (1) it avoids confusion with DCT fluid changing, and (2) it saves BMW money, especially since the tranny will still hold up until after the warranty expires. Either way, I think BMW is screwing owners in this regard. I feel sorriest for longtime owners who don't know better and trust BMW that this is "lifetime" fluid.

[Perpetrator]

well, i think i'm still going to go with them. the dealer and CA treated me great at purchase time, so i'd like to think they'll still take care of me. besides, i've read about the 08-09 tranny fluid confusion happen at other dealers as well. since this issue is still fresh in the dealer's mind, then they'll be more aware when i stroll in.

[positiveions]

[FStop7]

I took my car to LB BMW for the 1200 mi service and they changed the trans fluid without me even saying anything about it. I have a 2008 6MT.

[BMW_03]

I took mine to LB BMW two days ago, at first it didn't state on the work order that it needed a tranny fluid change, so I called my SA to ask him about it and he said he consulted with BMW and they said it doesn't need to be changed but until the third oil change, even though it says on the manual to do it at the 1200 mile one, but later on he called back and said he looked further about it and had spoken to an engineer at BMW and was instructed to go ahead and change it, so it doesnt hurt to ask, I think it all depends if the SA is really willing to do his job when in doubt, but they took care of me

[uae247]

Well,

I have an 08 E90 M3, and when I took it for the break in service 10 days back, I also saw the printout and it did not mention that I need to have my transmission fluid changed. This was based on my vehicle's VIN number, so to hell, I just let him do it without the transmission oil change.

Nothing to worry about, cause transmission fluid is not important to change during break in, compared with the diff fluid or the engine oil... Just my thoughts... ;-)