[steveo01111]

Hi Guys


I just a 2006 330i with 55k miles on it ...I bought it from a dealer ship that was not BMW they had it on a trade it but it was in perfect shape ....anyway I got the oil changed just for peace of mind but I heard mixed answers as to weather I need to change trany fluid I mean I did it on every other car I had every 30k miles to save the transmission and keep it fresh so you guys tell me ...also what do you think about changing spark plugs I also hear they are good for a long time but I have never owned a BMW before so any help would be great

thanks

[sickem]

is it a manual or auto? I have heard that bmw DOES NOT recommend EVER changing the tranny fluid. many people have a hard time believing this. speaking of manuals, did you look in the owner's manual to see what the recommendations are? (my car only has 22K on it so I don't know...)

[Chriztofor]

Here is my DIY if you want to change the transmission fluid.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729

[jlE90]

Originally Posted by sickem

is it a manual or auto? I have heard that bmw DOES NOT recommend EVER changing the tranny fluid. many people have a hard time believing this. speaking of manuals, did you look in the owner's manual to see what the recommendations are? (my car only has 22K on it so I don't know...)

yes i've heard the same, BMW used a synthetic tranny fluid and in theory does not require changing. my car is at 58k and still didnt change it yet

[F32Fleet]

If you plan on keeping the vehicle past 100k miles then change the fluid now, otherwise leave it alone. IMO you're at the point in the life of the transmission where it's either now or never.

[tres]

i changed mine at the 50k mark (6mt) and it didnt feel any different I,ve heard alot of different opinions Next on my list would be the diff

[Chriztofor]

I will trust lifetime policy when BMW gives out a lifetime warranty. No oil lasts a lifetime.

[tres]

[Express]

i refuse to change the tranny oil in my car.

[Chriztofor]

Ok, I am tired of the lifetime transmission oil debate. (Not on this particular thread, but a lot of threads I see on this forum).

See attached BMW Service and Warranty information. It states on page 7 that the Automatic Transmission Fluid must be changed at 100,000 miles. So BMW admits, in writing, that it is not "Lifetime".

To me BMW is setting themselves up for a lawsuit when they have "lifetime" stamped on the transmission and in their literature state 100,000 miles. It creates confusion.

[e90pilot]

Well, BMW used to require tranny fluid changes. Ever since "Ultimate Service" BMW says it's lifetime fill. The tranny fluid hasn't changed, and neither has the engine oil formula. But magically the service interval has increased and some things have gone lifetime. Also, I don't really see any new magic technology in manual transmissions to back up any change in service interval.

[P2]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Ok, I am tired of the lifetime transmission oil debate. (Not on this particular thread, but a lot of threads I see on this forum).

See attached BMW Service and Warranty information. It states on page 7 that the Automatic Transmission Fluid must be changed at 100,000 miles. So BMW admits, in writing, that it is not "Lifetime".

To me BMW is setting themselves up for a lawsuit when they have "lifetime" stamped on the transmission and in their literature state 100,000 miles. It creates confusion.

So there we go. End of debate. If the manual says 100k than that's our answer. I never looked in that manual because of the sticker that says life time. Thanks for pointing it out.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by P2

So there we go. End of debate. If the manual says 100k than that's our answer. I never looked in that manual because of the sticker that says life time. Thanks for pointing it out.

And you will not find a shop that will do it at 100k miles or you will find someone to do it and tour transmission will start slipping. Remember max warranty on any BMW is 100k miles.

If you want to keep the car past 100k miles then change NOW. Up to you.

[P2]

Originally Posted by Socom

And you will not find a shop that will do it at 100k miles or you will find someone to do it and tour transmission will start slipping. Remember max warranty on any BMW is 100k miles.

If you want to keep the car past 100k miles then change NOW. Up to you.

The dealer will change it at 100k. It's in the manual.

Start slipping? I don't think that is a certainty. I would buy it if we were talking about a car, like a 99 Accord (which this car replaced) that called for every 30k change. The BWM uses different fluid and calls for ever 100k. My wife's CRV is over 100K. My fathers 08' Buick 100k. Toyota is 100K. My point is 100k is no longer overdue. It's standard with today's fluid. Additionally, I feel the fluid in our BMW's is above par like most things in our car. That said, I probably change a little early to be safe, if I still have the car. I'm coming up on 5 years and 50K

Your 50K recommendation will not hurt the car, just your wallet. I did change my wife's CRV at 40k, but it cost me about $50. Were talking about $450 in fluid and parts alone for this change. That changes the dynamic for me. It's no longer "what the hell, it's 50 bucks". It's, "wow, $450 parts alone for something that most likely is just going to make me feel good".

I am not trying to to antagonize you, just have a rational discussion.

[conceptbass03]

Steve, like you last October I bought a 2006 330i with 40k miles on it CPO from a BMW dealership. Never owning a BMW, I spent a solid six months on this site reading all the maintenance advice and talking with some friends at work that have owned them all their lives. Since I want to keep this car till it hits 150,000 or until I get done with law school, I drew up a maintenance regiment that will ensure the car will be in great shape once I go to trade it in for a new one. I changed the trans and diff oil at 52k miles. Both the trans and diff fluid was slightly discolored and probably could have gone to 80-100k and been fine, but I would rather be proactive than reactive. Around 100K I'm going to drain it again and change the tranny pan which has the filter in it.

I also did it with all OEM fluids, all new OEM plugs, for around $116. Not bad at all...

[P2]

Originally Posted by conceptbass03

Steve, like you last October I bought a 2006 330i with 40k miles on it CPO from a BMW dealership. Never owning a BMW, I spent a solid six months on this site reading all the maintenance advice and talking with some friends at work that have owned them all their lives. Since I want to keep this car till it hits 150,000 or until I get done with law school, I drew up a maintenance regiment that will ensure the car will be in great shape once I go to trade it in for a new one. I changed the trans and diff oil at 52k miles. Both the trans and diff fluid was slightly discolored and probably could have gone to 80-100k and been fine, but I would rather be proactive than reactive. Around 100K I'm going to drain it again and change the tranny pan which has the filter in it.

I also did it with all OEM fluids, all new OEM plugs, for around $116. Not bad at all...

Hi, How did you do the trans and diff oil for $116 with OEM fluid? I was quoted $27/qt at the dealership for the ATF. If I can do it for that price we are back in the "what can it hurt" range Thanks in advance.

[BKV122]

It wouldn't hurt to change the fluid with OEM fluid or aftermarket fluid. Its like if you change your oil every month, is it necessary to do that, No, but it wouldnt hurt.When i changed my manual transmission fluid the fluid was black, changed it with redline. Only thing is now my CPO warranty will be void on the manual transmission. (Even tho at 65K miles now the tranny will fail due to normal wear and tear so it wouldn't matter if i used OEM or aftermarket woulnt be covered)

[Chriztofor]

^ Yeah, but we are not talking about changing the oil every month (but i get your point). It is once every 2 -3 years depending if you flush it, the fluid you use, and mileage. I think this is a low cost (depending if you use OEM or aftermarket approved oil), preventive maintenance, no brainer which even BMW puts in writing that it must be changed every 100,000 miles.

If you lease or plan on getting rid of it before 100,000 miles then skip it.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by P2

The dealer will change it at 100k. It's in the manual.

Start slipping? I don't think that is a certainty. I would buy it if we were talking about a car, like a 99 Accord (which this car replaced) that called for every 30k change. The BWM uses different fluid and calls for ever 100k. My wife's CRV is over 100K. My fathers 08' Buick 100k. Toyota is 100K. My point is 100k is no longer overdue. It's standard with today's fluid. Additionally, I feel the fluid in our BMW's is above par like most things in our car. That said, I probably change a little early to be safe, if I still have the car. I'm coming up on 5 years and 50K

Your 50K recommendation will not hurt the car, just your wallet. I did change my wife's CRV at 40k, but it cost me about $50. Were talking about $450 in fluid and parts alone for this change. That changes the dynamic for me. It's no longer "what the hell, it's 50 bucks". It's, "wow, $450 parts alone for something that most likely is just going to make me feel good".

I am not trying to to antagonize you, just have a rational discussion.

Oh I understand what your'e saying. I either personaly know or have read of people who did the 100k mile service on their A/T (E46 and E90) and it started slippping within 15k miles.

This happens because of the lack the clutch material which had been worn off and then suspended in the old fluid is gone. Of course there's no guarantee that if you do change it now that A/T won't die at 101k miles either.

The OEM's know the majority if owner owners will dump their cars @ 100k miles. Plain and simple.

Think of it this way. If the OEM's with 100k mile fluid intervals on their A/T's had soo much faith in their decision why not warranty the A/T for 150k miles?

The A/T is the only major component that has no maintenance interval while in warranty. Now that doesn't sound rational does it?

We're only talking about 1 ATF change. Oh and btw...ZF suggests an ATF change between 48k-72k miles or 8 yrs for the 6HP when operated at "Highway driving in top speed range, Offensive, sporty driving style, Frequent trailer operation".