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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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Transmission oil change
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04-21-2012, 02:37 AM | #1 |
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Transmission oil change
Is it worth changing? BMW say it's life time but they also think oil changes every 20k are acceptable on our engines.
I'm over 400bhp & 78k miles so thinking of changing it, any downsides to doing this? Reading a thread on the USA forum and some are saying it can cause issues if you change it, apparently that came from a BMW head tech in the states. |
04-21-2012, 04:19 AM | #2 |
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Drives: E91 330d M Sport
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Auto 'box oil? Yes, it is supposed to be lifetime.
However, I'm a firm believer in preventative maintenance, and a few litres of gearbox oil every few years is less than the cost of a new 'box, should the worst happen. All the reports I've read from people who have had it done suggest noticeably smoother gearchanges. Definitely something I'm thinking about this summer.
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04-21-2012, 07:56 AM | #4 |
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04-21-2012, 10:51 AM | #5 |
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I was looking into this. In the states there is a hige debate as to wether its neccesary. Some people who have changed the oil showed it being completely dark in colour after 30k miles and others who have changed it after 90k miles showed pics of it still fresh and in good condition. things to look into.
There is no drainage plug, instead just a fill hole. In response to this Zf have for sale full kits for around £200 including oil, nuts, casing etc I think red line do a kit also for the e90 for half the price. Also an laraming number of people have complained of slippage of gears so its a bit of a 50/50. Not really one for the amateur driveway mech. But for the more experienced and/or a proper garage. Personally I am firm believer of if it aint broke..... But each to their own. |
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04-21-2012, 03:44 PM | #6 |
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Get it changed. ZF (the manufacturer) recommend changing it and (as stated previously) have a number of service packs for both their manual and auto gearboxes. I was speaking to my local indy last week and they do quite a few gearbox oil changes. On the high mileage cars, the magnetic filters are overflowing with swarf and the excess is in the oil, slowing destroying the gearbox.
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04-22-2012, 08:13 AM | #9 | |
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Did search, read 4 pages of the same discussion on the USA forum but wanted to get opinions from the some of the UK 335i owners who I know are probably approaching the same milage and might also be considering!! |
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04-23-2012, 09:32 AM | #11 | |
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I will back my statement about there being no drain hole. In order to drain the fiuld you must remove the whole diff casing. Here is a link to the DIY procedure. He mentions drain hole but later edits his thread to say there is no drain hole. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1448807 Apparently there something magentic, not sure if its a plug, but the more of a fixed part fo the diff casing. its purpose is to attract the magnetic debris within the fluid in order to keep the gearbox safe. Note: that the ZF kit I mentioned earlier actually comes with complete with a diff housing as well as the nuts and fluid. |
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04-23-2012, 10:27 AM | #12 |
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I had the transmission oil changed on my manual 335i at 70k and felt that the gearbox was smoother when cold. Maybe it was a placebo effect but I think it is worth it at your mileage.
In fact I had it changed again at 78k when the new clutch was done for some Redline ATF but I didn't notice much of a difference. Last edited by idnan; 04-23-2012 at 01:59 PM.. |
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04-23-2012, 12:50 PM | #13 | |
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Thanks for sharing that. |
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04-23-2012, 02:43 PM | #14 |
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So you are talking slushbox.
You will find the manual does indeed have a drain and fill plug. And depends upon year but most likely needs MTF-3 at £100 for five litres.
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04-23-2012, 04:14 PM | #16 | |
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Edit: I didnt know manual had a drain plug. |
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04-24-2012, 06:53 AM | #17 |
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Think an auto would need an oil change more so than a manual. There's no clutch to deal with the large changes of force involved in a gear change, its all handled in the Torque convertor which correct me if I'm wrong, uses the tranny fluid for converting the Torque etc.
When the auto goes bang, the ocst is 1500-2500 to rebuild it. |
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04-26-2012, 08:46 AM | #18 |
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just had a quote from bmtech in manc for an e91 335i (auto)
The gearbox oil change = £82.50 labour + £120 oil + £160 sump pan & filter = £362.50 + vat
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04-26-2012, 09:33 AM | #19 |
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Have you asked Darren Wood in Stockport? They have done a massive amount of work on my car and I still travel all the way from Birmingham because of the quality of their work.
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04-26-2012, 10:24 AM | #20 |
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nope, but i will now
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04-26-2012, 10:37 AM | #21 | |
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The sump is an integrated filter and gasket and if you shop around you can pick it up for around £90 inc vat. The ZF Lifeguard-6 fluid is around £20 inc vat per litre. However shell M13754.4 is around £15 per litre and Redline GL-4 is around £10 per litre, both inc vat. I still really dont see the point. However If you are interested then I thought I would pass over some info. Let us know how you get on fella. Last edited by A_P; 04-26-2012 at 10:46 AM.. |
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04-26-2012, 10:46 AM | #22 |
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^ If it is any help, a full ZF kit with everything you need for £210 inc delivery and vat.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=260951318217 Obviously give him a call and double check if it is the right kit for your 335i |
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