[slo_335-e90]

Hey everyone,

Kind've my first time venturing into the Xi section of the forums, and lately I've been starting to get concerned about my car in terms of ensuring that everything runs ok. I'm approaching 70k miles, and as far as I know none of the fluids have been changed in anything drive-train related, and no parts have been replaced. Doing some brief reading it seems like it's a good idea to look into changing the TC fluid, and potentially the diff fluids too. I've been getting some sort of hard buck sometimes when letting off the gas/the car changes gears, but it could be trans related so I'm not sure yet. Car still has warranty, but I'd rather not bring it in to get charged their inspection cost if it turns out to be something they don't cover. Car's automatic btw.

Any suggestions would be great!

Cheers

[nailer335]

Change all of your fluids, clean/oil your filter(s), do your breaks if you havent done them yet, and be prepared for the day when your water pump gives up the ghost.

[AWD Addict]

Here's what I did at 50k. I do oil changes every 5k-7k. Pads and Rotors were done at 40k.

*Oil/Filter Change (Synthetic 5w/30)
*Brake Fluid
*Coolant Flush
*Transmission Fluid
*Gearbox Oil
*Differential Fluid
*Transfer Case Fluid

If your struts are original, they're overdue for replacement as well. Your braking, and brake maintenance, as well as general safety are the most important elements that suffer from tired suspension, despite much of what you read here about people chasing improved performance and profile aesthetics (which is obviously a great side effect of upgrade/replacement).

The bucking is probabaly mounts getting tired/worn.

This is a big tab to do all at once, so consider breaking it up over the next few months and getting caught up.

[slo_335-e90]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Here's what I did at 50k. I do oil changes every 5k-7k. Pads and Rotors were done at 40k.

*Oil/Filter Change (Synthetic 5w/30)
*Brake Fluid
*Coolant Flush
*Transmission Fluid
*Gearbox Oil
*Differential Fluid
*Transfer Case Fluid

If your struts are original, they're overdue for replacement as well. Your braking, and brake maintenance, as well as general safety are the most important elements that suffer from tired suspension, despite much of what you read here about people chasing improved performance and profile aesthetics (which is obviously a great side effect of upgrade/replacement).

The bucking is probabaly mounts getting tired/worn.

This is a big tab to do all at once, so consider breaking it up over the next few months and getting caught up.

I do my oil every 5k, so I stay on top of that at the very least. Brakes are fine, just did rears about 5k ago and fronts about 15k.

All of the other fluids though are what I'm looking to get done over the next couple of months. I know that the trans is said to have a lifetime warranty, but I know many people change it. However, I've also heard that it'll perform better with the original fluid that it had from the start (again, just going off of what I've heard, haven't done too much research into it).

The big thing I need to do is change the suspension. The car is beginning to drive very poorly, and I can feel it in the way that it handles bumps etc. So I think the two big projects for me to get done are going to be the suspension and all of the fluids. This sound right?

[Fresh330]

I'm curious, are you still using your original battery? I have an '06 330xi with 56K miles and haven't changed my battery yet.

[slo_335-e90]

Originally Posted by Fresh330

I'm curious, are you still using your original battery? I have an '06 330xi with 56K miles and haven't changed my battery yet.

I am still on the original battery. I've never had any issues in terms of the car dying or anything, so as far as I know it's ok. Could be something to look into though

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

Here's what I did at 50k. I do oil changes every 5k-7k. Pads and Rotors were done at 40k.

*Oil/Filter Change (Synthetic 5w/30)
*Brake Fluid
*Coolant Flush
*Transmission Fluid
*Gearbox Oil
*Differential Fluid
*Transfer Case Fluid

If your struts are original, they're overdue for replacement as well. Your braking, and brake maintenance, as well as general safety are the most important elements that suffer from tired suspension, despite much of what you read here about people chasing improved performance and profile aesthetics (which is obviously a great side effect of upgrade/replacement).

The bucking is probabaly mounts getting tired/worn.

This is a big tab to do all at once, so consider breaking it up over the next few months and getting caught up.

Hi there thanks for the info... How do u know when struts are bad?

[wdeerfield]

I found the bavauto maintenance chart to be very helpful: http://bavauto.com/Assets/inst_pages/e90mc.pdf

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by iloseguitarpicks

The big thing I need to do is change the suspension. The car is beginning to drive very poorly, and I can feel it in the way that it handles bumps etc. So I think the two big projects for me to get done are going to be the suspension and all of the fluids. This sound right?

I went with Bilstein Sport dampers and eibach prokit springs. I didn't want an overly stiff ride like coilivers as I use the car for work, and as a daily driver, but still wanted a nicer stance and better performance. I don't track the car. I'm really pleased.

Here's the review
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664385

Otherwise, do all those fluids above. Lifetime fluid is only if they're paying for it. If you're keeping the car for a while, do the whole list. Fluid maintenance is critical for a long life vehicle.

Oil at 5k is fine, I just found it to still be pretty clean, even at 7k.

I'm still on my original battery.

That bavauto list is pretty close to the cheat sheet I like to use. Good link. I forgot belts. I did mine at 45k.

[mthomas]

If nobody else mentioned it, look up mike millers old school maintenance. Find the current version, if you email him at roundel magazine, he will send it to you.

[slo_335-e90]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

I went with Bilstein Sport dampers and eibach prokit springs. I didn't want an overly stiff ride like coilivers as I use the car for work, and as a daily driver, but still wanted a nicer stance and better performance. I don't track the car. I'm really pleased.

Here's the review
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664385

Otherwise, do all those fluids above. Lifetime fluid is only if they're paying for it. If you're keeping the car for a while, do the whole list. Fluid maintenance is critical for a long life vehicle.

Oil at 5k is fine, I just found it to still be pretty clean, even at 7k.

I'm still on my original battery.

That bavauto list is pretty close to the cheat sheet I like to use. Good link. I forgot belts. I did mine at 45k.

Its funny you posted the link to that because I read your review earlier and saved the page because thats what I want to do to mine. I need a bit sportier of a setup, but not enough that I don't want to drive it since I DD as well. Great writeup, that's what im gonna buy

[jeguth1s]

Originally Posted by AWD Addict

I went with Bilstein Sport dampers and eibach prokit springs. I didn't want an overly stiff ride like coilivers as I use the car for work, and as a daily driver, but still wanted a nicer stance and better performance. I don't track the car. I'm really pleased.

Here's the review
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664385

Otherwise, do all those fluids above. Lifetime fluid is only if they're paying for it. If you're keeping the car for a while, do the whole list. Fluid maintenance is critical for a long life vehicle.

Oil at 5k is fine, I just found it to still be pretty clean, even at 7k.

I'm still on my original battery.

That bavauto list is pretty close to the cheat sheet I like to use. Good link. I forgot belts. I did mine at 45k.

+1 same set up on 162's. Love it

[AWD Addict]