[Beamer325xi]

Had my trans hooked up to computer today... No fault codes no leaks no low fluid level. Had them pull some fluid out... I have 180,681 the fluid is pretty black doesn't smell burnt and hardly any metal in it... They said still had slight transparency when held up to light. I'm experiencing intermittent rough shifts.... Wonder weather to change fluid pan/gasket and filter or leave it alone and get a new car?

[fun2drive]

What you do is up to you but just dropping the pan replacing the filter and refilling will certainly improve the shifting. If you then drain and refill a week or so later you will in effect exchange the majority of the fluid.
A flush at your mileage is ill advised since you can dislodge a piece or clutch or steel and jam a check ball. Dropping the pan and refilling will not cause that issue.

Fantastic life out of a transmission. Must be mostly highway miles...

[Beamer325xi]

I do alot of in town and highway driving. I personally want to do the new fluid pan ext. but am getting mixed advice on doing so. As the problem has just started maybe 2-3 months ago and it's very random but becoming more frequent. I think I will do the change! I would hate to speed up the fail of the trans though. Wish someone else had done it with similar miles. So I could know there experience.

[Beamer325xi]

Talked to the previous owner my friends father the fluid was changed around 100,000 miles if that makes a difference

[mlifxs]

I have an '07 328i at 112k miles. For about 30k miles, my downshifts have been rough, particularly 3-2 and 2-1. Recently drained and filled with Dexron VI, made a noticeable difference. Still not as smooth as I'd like, so I plan to change filter soon, which should get more of the old fluid out.

Edit: think your 325 may take a different fluid.

[Beamer325xi]

Yeah I have a zf6 trans I think I need lifeguard6 not sure how much but I am going to do the pan/filter/gasket and fluid hope it fixes the problem not make it worse.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Beamer325xi

Yeah I have a zf6 trans I think I need lifeguard6 not sure how much but I am going to do the pan/filter/gasket and fluid hope it fixes the problem not make it worse.

Make sure they reset the transmission.

[Beamer325xi]

Oh I was going to have my friends mechanic do it how do tent rest the transmission do you know

[Beamer325xi]

Any good DIY for the zf auto trans fluid/pan change on here?

[Beamer325xi]

Such a headache... So I spoke with the manager at Cincinnati transmission specialist. And there telling me to never change the fluid and that there's no chance of it fixing my intermittent rough shifting problem because its lifetime fluid. Even after I told him the Manuel for the vehicle says to change it every 100,000 miles.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Beamer325xi

Such a headache... So I spoke with the manager at Cincinnati transmission specialist. And there telling me to never change the fluid and that there's no chance of it fixing my intermittent rough shifting problem because its lifetime fluid. Even after I told him the Manuel for the vehicle says to change it every 100,000 miles.

Ya. They don't want to get blamed if the transmission craps out after they change the fluid.

[Beamer325xi]

I don't know what to do I kind mod want to change it I don't think it's going to hurt it of its goin to go its going to go regardless. Also wonder if its just low fluid I don't think German auto works bothered to check my fluid level just hooked it to the computer and looked at the pan took small amount out after made them go back and do it although it was supposed to be part of what they were doing as well as check the fluid. Won't go back there