[TheGlobetrotter]

I'm currently at about 78K miles and have not done a transmission oil change. From what I've read on the forums and talking to a couple of friends, you either do it at 50-60K or you don't do it at all.

At about 50K the dealer did "top up" the transmission box and fixed a leak.

What do you guys think? Should I go ahead and replace it? A garage quoted me $800 bucks for the job the other day...

OR I can buy a BMW PE Exhaust

[AdamN52]

Probably best just to leave it. I find when vehicles start getting older sometimes it's the gunk that builds up that keeps everything sealed up tight.

If you were flushing it regularly since new, then by all means. But if it's running okay, and you've never drained or flushed it... I'd just leave it alone.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by TheGlobetrotter

I'm currently at about 78K miles and have not done a transmission oil change. From what I've read on the forums and talking to a couple of friends, you either do it at 50-60K or you don't do it at all.

BMW changed it from "lifetime" to 100K miles. If you didn't change it at 60K, you're going to change it at 100K, and (I don't believe it, but some do) take more risk then than now.

Change it now.

[bmwsinceday1]

You can test the fluid with the paper towel test. (Im assuming BM fluid is pink/red when new/clean), like most fluidds). Take a clean piece of paper towel, drop 1 drop of old fluid on it. Wait for 5 minutes. If the drop expands out to size of a quarter, it is still good. Also, color should be pink/red, not brown/coffee.

Should also not smell "burnt". I would never own an AT, but that much I know about fluid. An AT needs good fluid to work. It can destry your AT if not in good condition to behave like it should in the AT case. good luck, man.

[bmwsinceday1]

I agre with floy, otherwise. Change it now.

[PINeely]

Originally Posted by AdamN52

Probably best just to leave it. I find when vehicles start getting older sometimes it's the gunk that builds up that keeps everything sealed up tight.

If you were flushing it regularly since new, then by all means. But if it's running okay, and you've never drained or flushed it... I'd just leave it alone.

This is an old wives tale which may or may not have been applicable to some of the old American transmissions, but does not apply to yours. You absolutely need to change your fluid.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

BMW changed it from "lifetime" to 100K miles. If you didn't change it at 60K, you're going to change it at 100K, and (I don't believe it, but some do) take more risk then than now.

Change it now.

This is correct. BMW's definition of "lifetime" is 100k miles. That is too long an interval for most people so it is recommended that you change it every 60-80k. I change mine every 80k and am on the original transmission at 212k miles.

[TheGlobetrotter]

Originally Posted by PINeely

This is an old wives tale which may or may not have been applicable to some of the old American transmissions, but does not apply to yours. You absolutely need to change your fluid.

This is correct. BMW's definition of "lifetime" is 100k miles. That is too long an interval for most people so it is recommended that you change it every 60-80k. I change mine every 80k and am on the original transmission at 212k miles.

You're at 212K miles? Wow, you should write a review sometime

Alright, I'll do it then, thanks guys. Does $800 sound reasonable for the job?

[Taruno]

Damn those prices are insane, I changed mine at 60k with ZF lifeguard oil, oil pan + the mechatronics sleeve and labour for ~360$

[TheGlobetrotter]

Originally Posted by Taruno

Damn those prices are insane, I changed mine at 60k with ZF lifeguard oil, oil pan + the mechatronics sleeve and labour for ~360$

Good to know I'm getting ripped off. Sure felt like it.[ I'll scout out some other options before pulling the trigger.

Did you buy the set yourself or did they have it in stock?

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by TheGlobetrotter

Good to know I'm getting ripped off. Sure felt like it. I'll scout out some other options before pulling the trigger.

Did you buy the set yourself or did they have it in stock?

There are two ways people are doing this:
1) Drain, remove pan, replace filter and replace pan gasket, fill with ~4-5 quarts.
2) Above, but also use a pump to replace the ~2 quarts that are in the torque converter. If you don't do that you're only replacing 3/4 of the fluid.

$800 is a little pricey for 2). $350 is about right for 1). Make sure you know which is being done.

[Kodak]

I had a transmission leak when my E90 was under warranty and the issue was the mechatronics sleeve, this might be the problem.

Originally Posted by TheGlobetrotter

I'm currently at about 78K miles and have not done a transmission oil change. From what I've read on the forums and talking to a couple of friends, you either do it at 50-60K or you don't do it at all.

At about 50K the dealer did "top up" the transmission box and fixed a leak.

What do you guys think? Should I go ahead and replace it? A garage quoted me $800 bucks for the job the other day...

OR I can buy a BMW PE Exhaust

[kaede]

Originally Posted by TheGlobetrotter

I'm currently at about 78K miles and have not done a transmission oil change. From what I've read on the forums and talking to a couple of friends, you either do it at 50-60K or you don't do it at all.

At about 50K the dealer did "top up" the transmission box and fixed a leak.

What do you guys think? Should I go ahead and replace it? A garage quoted me $800 bucks for the job the other day...

OR I can buy a BMW PE Exhaust

Change it!! Doesnt hurt at all. But HOW THE HELL does it cost $800 for replacing transmission oil?!? Please explain xD

I got my own oil, watch the guy did it and he charged me only for labour

[mweisdorfer]

You can do it yourself for under $200.00, as long as you have the right tools.

All you need is the pan/filter and some fresh fluid. You can use Amsoil or Redline. Amsoil sells their 10qt jug for about $85.00 if you are a member. The Pan/ Filter can be purchased for around $100.00 on Amazon. Just check the part numbers and make sure.

I would say at 80K it would not hurt. I think it should be done every 50K in my opinion. BMW's lifetime filter really translates to 100k and done. If you have not, you should flush the power steering fluid. You dont need to use petosin. I used Amsoil ATF. I just flushed it several times really good. I asked techs at Amsoil if I could do this and they said their product would work with no problems. That was 15k ago. No problems.

[TheGlobetrotter]

Originally Posted by kaede

Change it!! Doesnt hurt at all. But HOW THE HELL does it cost $800 for replacing transmission oil?!? Please explain xD

I got my own oil, watch the guy did it and he charged me only for labour

They're changing the filter / pan as well. But I felt it was a bit over the top. Think that's what I'm going to do, get the oil myself.

[ryanakata]

I just changed mine today and the old fluid was very dark. The fluid new is a golden color. I would change it if I were you. You can do it yourself easy, heck if I didn't live a million miles form any members I'd say bring it over here and we could knock it out in 30 minutes or so.

[TheGlobetrotter]

Originally Posted by ryanakata

I just changed mine today and the old fluid was very dark. The fluid new is a golden color. I would change it if I were you. You can do it yourself easy, heck if I didn't live a million miles form any members I'd say bring it over here and we could knock it out in 30 minutes or so.

Thanks bud. Which oil did you use? OEM?

[ryanakata]

Originally Posted by TheGlobetrotter

Thanks bud. Which oil did you use? OEM?

ZF Lifeguard6 purchased off of eBay for much cheaper than anywhere else.

Also I did not have an 8mm hex wrench for the fill plug, but a 5/16 is the exact same size, which my toolset had.

[mir-ali604]

Im also interested in doing the same thing. My car is at 75k miles rigght now. Can you give some periodic feedback about what your driving experience has been like after the change. Any problems, or unusual changes in the operation of the transmission.

BTW i was advised by dealer not to change b/c its lifetime oil, but then again I am iffy.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Ali604

...BTW i was advised by dealer not to change b/c its lifetime oil, but then again I am iffy.

Find another dealer to do your maintenance.

[TheGlobetrotter]

Got it changed (finally!). Found someone to do the job for a much more reasonable price as well: $380.

The oil that came out was pretty dark and the stench was disgusting. Felt like the car was bleeding out toxins. I think the warm climate accelerated the breakdown a bit. Anyway, it got changed with fresh ZF fluid and installed a new filter too.

Shifts are smoother now, hopefully no permanent damage has been done. I'll keep you posted.

[kaede]

Originally Posted by TheGlobetrotter

Got it changed (finally!). Found someone to do the job for a much more reasonable price as well: $380.

The oil that came out was pretty dark and the stench was disgusting. Felt like the car was bleeding out toxins. I think the warm climate accelerated the breakdown a bit. Anyway, it got changed with fresh ZF fluid and installed a new filter too.

Shifts are smoother now, hopefully no permanent damage has been done. I'll keep you posted.

Tranny is be pretty strong and there shouldnt be any permanent damage done =) Tranny oil always smelled funny tho, add to the fact that when you drained it its probably warmed up prior, so the stench is gonna be stronger =D