[fredtoo]

My dealer hers says that he can not get the trans fluid for the new 6 speed manual transmission.

Is it not available at all, or is it that he can not get the bulk container that they use in the shop.

PN for the fluid?

[E90Fleet]

The part number I have for Lifetime tranny fluid is "83 22 7 533 818" its for MTF-LT-3 for 5 Litres

These fluid part numbers dont always work in all countries

let me know if it works there

[E90Fleet]

WAIT

It seems some if not all 330i transmissions have MTF-LT-2 in them

Look at the sticker on your transmission that says lifetime fluid fill, it will state if it has MTF-LT-2 or MTF-LT-3

MTF-LT-2 is part number "23 00 7 533 513"

[E90Fleet]

Seems all US 325i have MTF-LT-3

[fredtoo]

The local dealers says they have it at the MINI dealership - $119 for 5 Liters.

Sound right?

[epiphone3]

Fleet,

Did you have the manual transmission fluid changed in your ride after you finished your break-in period?

[longtran]

i was looking into changing the gear box oil too, but the service manager said its not necessary. it is lifetime fluid.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

Fleet,

Did you have the manual transmission fluid changed in your ride after you finished your break-in period?

I dont have a E90 - yet


Personally dont think its needed. I know many E46 with lifetime transmission fills with massive anounts of miles on them, and they have no problems

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by longtran

i was looking into changing the gear box oil too, but the service manager said its not necessary. it is lifetime fluid.

Yup, its lifetime fill

[noflash]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Yup, its lifetime fill

FYI.
"Lifetime" in BMW-speak equals 100,000 miles.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=mike+miller

[youngtechman]

Fleet, Question.
What about Auto tinny.
Everybody talking about Manual here. and I can't find any infomation about Auto.

BTW, i buy my car, not lease, and I usually keep my car for 8 to 10 year.
So, is Lifetime fill really a lifetime?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by noflash

FYI.
"Lifetime" in BMW-speak equals 100,000 miles.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=mike+miller

In the tech docs for the E90 transmissions it says "lifetime means the entire life of the vehicle" and the E90 docs dont mention anything about 100,000 miles

Also he talks about auto transmission fluid (ATF), not the "manual transmission fluid" (MTF) we are talking about.

Also He says no one knows what ATF is used. Well the listed one for the E90 is known, its "Shell M-1375.4"

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by youngtechman

Fleet, Question.
What about Auto tinny.
Everybody talking about Manual here. and I can't find any infomation about Auto.

BTW, i buy my car, not lease, and I usually keep my car for 8 to 10 year.
So, is Lifetime fill really a lifetime?

I was typing my above post when you postd.
I think it answers your question

[noflash]

Well, the document was published b/f the e90 came out.

However, the term "Lifetime" came to be when BMW started offering Free Maintenance. I have read in two places that when pressed BMW admitted that the "Lifetime" they were refering to was 100,000 miles.

And the fact that they don't publish 100k themselves... well, duh.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by noflash

Well, the document was published b/f the e90 came out.

However, the term "Lifetime" came to be when BMW started offering Free Maintenance. I have read in two places that when pressed BMW admitted that the "Lifetime" they were refering to was 100,000 miles.

And the fact that they don't publish 100k themselves... well, duh.

Yes, his writeup is from 2002, which i believe is even before MTF-LT-1 nevermind 2 and 3

"Lifetime" came into effect years after BMW started offering free services here ( 1995 ). Also you can extend our full motorplan ( services and free replacement of any part that fails) to around 200,000Km. Now they would make the dealers change the fluids if the cars couldnt make 200,000Km, but they dont, and i know a number of E46 with lifetime fills with well over 200,000Km

EDIT: forgot to add, when they said 100,000 was early in the E46 life, but they then said no more 100,000 when they changed fluid and gearboxes later

[ben1364]

I suggest that the first step is to determine precisely which transmission your car is equipped with. BMW doesn't necessarily use the same transmission in cars for different markets, at least they haven't in all years. BMW has used attomatic transmissions sourced from ZF and from General motors. Some ZF transmissions specify a Shell product and some an ESSO product. Having said this, I suspect that the E90 has the ZF that requires the Shell product that E90 mentioned.

[noflash]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Yes, his writeup is from 2002, which i believe is even before MTF-LT-1 nevermind 2 and 3

"Lifetime" came into effect years after BMW started offering free services here ( 1995 ). Also you can extend our full motorplan ( services and free replacement of any part that fails) to around 200,000Km. Now they would make the dealers change the fluids if the cars couldnt make 200,000Km, but they dont, and i know a number of E46 with lifetime fills with well over 200,000Km

EDIT: forgot to add, when they said 100,000 was early in the E46 life, but they then said no more 100,000 when they changed fluid and gearboxes later

I do not deny anything you say above, but I still have questions.

Why, when Mike Miller does a MTF flush on his new e46 325ci at 1200 miles, does he report that he finds the fluid to discard is "Full of Metal"?

I mean, this guy is the Tech Editor of Roundel and Bimmer are we to not trust his expertise?

Quote from BMW CCAs Tech Talk/Mike Miller
***************************************
It is unbelievable to me that thinking people actually debate whether to leave the break-in gearbox and differential oil in service forever. Now, whether it becomes an issue in your life if these components are worn out around 100,000 miles obviously depends on how long you keep the car.

Personally, I will trust "lifetime fill" when BMW gives me a "lifetime warranty." I think the below individual is on the right track when he compared the "lifetime" to the "warranty period."

For the record, my 2005 325Ci had a break-in service at 1,200 miles, using Red Line 10W-40 in the engine, Red Line MTL in the manual gearbox, and Red Line 75W-90 in the differential. I did it myself here in the Tech Talk garage. The oil I drained was FULL of metal, just like all break-in oil I have ever drained. I will continue to maintain it, and I fully expect these components will be in service at 300,000 miles.

Best,
Mike Miller

[E90Fleet]

Not contesting his claims or advise. Just saying the BMW system also works .
Both ways have good resuts and failures.

Maybe with the design of the transmission it doesnt matter if there are mettal bits in certain places

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by ben1364

I suggest that the first step is to determine precisely which transmission your car is equipped with. BMW doesn't necessarily use the same transmission in cars for different markets, at least they haven't in all years. BMW has used attomatic transmissions sourced from ZF and from General motors. Some ZF transmissions specify a Shell product and some an ESSO product. Having said this, I suspect that the E90 has the ZF that requires the Shell product that E90 mentioned.

Yup, as I said above one must see what oil the sticker on the transmission says is needed.

As you said in BMW's one gets a few different types of transmission. they use ZF, Getrag and in some of the small engined models GM transmissions.