[techie182]

Thax for the DIY.
Finally got all my parts to change fluid. Plan to do it this weekend.

Transmission filter kit (gasket, filter, o-ring) $42
Valvoline Dexron VI full synthetic 6qt $32
Plastic dispenser with pump $1
Plan to change differential too.

Less than $100 to change out transmission oil and differential.
Local indy charges $300 transmission and dealership charges $500.

[techie182]

Flushed ATF last weekend with Valvoline Dexron VI full synthetic.
Car shifts smooooooth. No more jerk and no more clunky noise when changing gear to reverse.
Took me 3hrs total changing out ATF, filter, and differential.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by techie182

Flushed ATF last weekend with Valvoline Dexron VI full synthetic.
Car shifts smooooooth. No more jerk and no more clunky noise when changing gear to reverse.
Took me 3hrs total changing out ATF, filter, and differential.

Thanks for sharing. I need to do this asap. I get rough shifting especially when cold. I am at 115k miles though.

U guys think is still safe to change? I have a ZF tranny.

[techie182]

Mine is GM engine. Changed at 80k. Saw alot of black powder residue on bottom of my transmission pan. Plan to flush just fluid after 20k. Flushing is easy 10-15min job.

[ryanakata]

Just did mine today at 50,056 miles. ZF Trans.

Got 3.5L out by removing the drain plug, car was barely higher in the rear but I couldn't get the front any higher and was using my driveway slope. I poured the old fluid into an empty 5QT Mobil 1 Jug from yesterday's engine oil change.

Went to refill and only got 2L back in, I knew this wasn't right so then I came and read this again. The engine has to be running, so jacked it back up, pumped another 1.5L in, all was good.

Did an adaptation reset via turning the ignition on while the accelerator pedal was held down. I did not hear any noises indicating a reset but it definitely did as I get immediate acceleration now and it isn't as laggy and actually revs out to 3-4k before shifting now.

My rough 3-4 upshift is still intermittent and did it before and after my B3 trans flash, I cannot really notice any difference, but the old fluid was incredibly dark and had a bit of friction disc material in it, so I'm very happy I got it out. I have another 3.5L of fluid left over and will probably do another drain and fill in 30,000 miles or so, and then do a full pan swap at 100k miles.

I have only had the car for a month and it was purchased with 46,000 miles and dealer service records. I am keeping track of my maintenance via a Google Doc Spreadsheet. It is plain and simple and I suggest everyone do it, and you can even edit and view from your mobile phone if needed.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...M4eO0A/pubhtml

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by ryanakata

Just did mine today at 50,056 miles. ZF Trans.

Got 3.5L out by removing the drain plug, car was barely higher in the rear but I couldn't get the front any higher and was using my driveway slope. I poured the old fluid into an empty 5QT Mobil 1 Jug from yesterday's engine oil change.

Went to refill and only got 2L back in, I knew this wasn't right so then I came and read this again. The engine has to be running, so jacked it back up, pumped another 1.5L in, all was good.

Did an adaptation reset via turning the ignition on while the accelerator pedal was held down. I did not hear any noises indicating a reset but it definitely did as I get immediate acceleration now and it isn't as laggy and actually revs out to 3-4k before shifting now.

My rough 3-4 upshift is still intermittent and did it before and after my B3 trans flash, I cannot really notice any difference, but the old fluid was incredibly dark and had a bit of friction disc material in it, so I'm very happy I got it out. I have another 3.5L of fluid left over and will probably do another drain and fill in 30,000 miles or so, and then do a full pan swap at 100k miles.

I have only had the car for a month and it was purchased with 46,000 miles and dealer service records. I am keeping track of my maintenance via a Google Doc Spreadsheet. It is plain and simple and I suggest everyone do it, and you can even edit and view from your mobile phone if needed.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...M4eO0A/pubhtml

I think this was a bit over killed to do it at only 50k miles but thanks for sharing!

[ryanakata]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

I think this was a bit over killed to do it at only 50k miles but thanks for sharing!

Maybe, but after seeing the friction material in it and how dark it was I feel better about it and sleep nicer at night. I need this car to last, lol.

I'm sure the new fluid looks exactly the same now. I did see a rubber grommet on the transmission that provided access to the torque converter. I do not know if ours have a drain bolt on them as some cars do, but I glanced and didn't see anything and didn't feel like turning the engine over to check.

[ryanakata]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

I think this was a bit over killed to do it at only 50k miles but thanks for sharing!

One more thing., I read where ZF actually recommend 50k interval fluid changes. I'll come back and paste the link if I find it.

[Taruno]

After having my torque converter on my E60 rebuilt by ZF in Germany I can confirm they recommend oil changes every 100k kms which is every 60k miles, also I asked why does BMW categorize the fluid as "lifetime" and they answered: simply because that's because of the warranty period.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by e90msportmia

What's up fellas!

Thanks again for this DIY. I did this maintenance at 94K (this past weekend) much needed. I can tell you that my MPG has increased quite a bit. I also did the rear differential and brake fluid change. For the tranny I ended up using about 6.5 quarts. I bought 8 just in case from Amazon. WELL worth it...

$135.92 Transmission pan w/ filter RMEuropean Auto Parts
$47.15 Castrol 06814-6PK Transmax Import Multi-Vehicle Automatic Tran. (8 quarts)

Is your tranny ZF? I drive a 06 330i with 115k miles. I see Amazon has the fluid for $31.92 for a pack of 6 qts. I will buy 8 just in case.

[F06msportmia]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Is your tranny ZF? I drive a 06 330i with 115k miles. I see Amazon has the fluid for $31.92 for a pack of 6 qts. I will buy 8 just in case.

Yes, I have the ZF tranny and it's worth buying a little more. I have read on here anywhere from 5 qts to 7 qts, so better be safe. If I remember correctly I ended up using like 6.5 to 7 qts.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by e90msportmia

Yes, I have the ZF tranny and it's worth buying a little more. I have read on here anywhere from 5 qts to 7 qts, so better be safe. If I remember correctly I ended up using like 6.5 to 7 qts.

Thanks man. Did you do this yourself? Also, any improvements in shifting? My car is starting to experience rough shifting at times. Thats why I am planning to change the pan and the fluid.

[F06msportmia]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Thanks man. Did you do this yourself? Also, any improvements in shifting? My car is starting to experience rough shifting at times. Thats why I am planning to change the pan and the fluid.

Definitely worth it and I noticed the shifting got better immediately. Yes, I did it myself, here in Miami there is this shop called GarageYourself where you rent the bay with a lift. In my opinion the car lift is a must! My car had 96k so it need it.

[GoRomeo]

Cool man. Too bad we dont have those garage yourself ur talking about. I have a friend who has a shop and do it there. Cheers!

[soldado331]

My e90 335 with the ZF tranny was shifting rough at times and it has 61k miles. I decided to buy Red line atf and a new pan/filter to try to do it myself. After reading this post and seeing I didn't have a lift and that I didnt want to deal with the AWD drive shaft, or a way to reset the computer after the job, I gave the job to my local AAMCO mechanic. They used 6.5 qts and now shifting is smoother. They gave the car back 24 hrs later and charged $125 for labor only. Totally worth it to me to save myself the frustration of not having the right tools for the job.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by soldado331

My e90 335 with the ZF tranny was shifting rough at times and it has 61k miles. I decided to buy Red line atf and a new pan/filter to try to do it myself. After reading this post and seeing I didn't have a lift and that I didnt want to deal with the AWD drive shaft, or a way to reset the computer after the job, I gave the job to my local AAMCO mechanic. They used 6.5 qts and now shifting is smoother. They gave the car back 24 hrs later and charged $125 for labor only. Totally worth it to me to save myself the frustration of not having the right tools for the job.

$125 is reasonable. So how much was altogether including labor, parts and fluid?

[soldado331]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

$125 is reasonable. So how much was altogether including labor, parts and fluid?

So I paid $76 for the trans fluid at ECS and $93 for the filter/pan from Amazon. All in, I paid $294.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by soldado331

So I paid $76 for the trans fluid at ECS and $93 for the filter/pan from Amazon. All in, I paid $294.

Not bad. Thanks!

[GoRomeo]

I finally changed my tranny fluid this past Saturday @ 116k miles. I took it to a shop where a friend works and was able to change my fluid and pan. It took about 2.5 hrs. There is a muffler bracket that nobody mentions that needs to come off. One of the bolts on this bracket broke off and had to be removed and replaced with another bolt. That is why it took a bit longer.

He only charged me $85.00 for labor. Altogether for parts and labor $200.00

Shifting is very smooth now.

[TGTIW]

Is there any reason it wouldn't work to measure the amount of old fluid drained and refill with the same amount?

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Is there any reason it wouldn't work to measure the amount of old fluid drained and refill with the same amount?

Because unless you drain the torque converter you will not be able to flush all that's in there.

Originally Posted by ryanakata

My rough 3-4 upshift is still intermittent and did it before and after my B3 trans flash, I cannot really notice any difference

That's because you reset the wrong adaptations.