[downshiftdata]

I've just purchased an '06 330xi with 93k and stiff shifting. I'm guessing the transmission fluid has never been replaced. I write software, not wrench on cars, so I'm planning to purchase what I need and have my local shop do the work. So... What fluid? How much? From where? My initial searching tells me there's also a filter and a pan to replace. Is that right? And I wonder what other gotchas could bite me (like any particular things the mechanic should or shouldn't do).

If someone wants to answer these questions, hey, great! But I'd expect to be taught to fish, and would certainly appreciate that. This is my first Bimmer, and I'm not familiar with what resources to rely upon and what to avoid.

I did search through the forums before posting, and didn't feel confident enough in what I was finding. There were a lot of old, conflicting results, and I thought it'd be much safer to just ask this fresh.

Thanks for any help!

J

[jt335i]

Is your ride a manual or automatic?

[ctuna]

I would get a kit at someplace like Pelican Parts,Turner Motor sports
or fcp euro . If its and automatic its a big job if you do the filter.
replacement. See the DIY's on ytube and here.
If its a manual no big deal.

You might want to change the rest of fluids to.
You must use the BMW fluid for the transfer box.
Best to use there radiator fluid to.

[BimmerNugget]

If you have the GM auto transmission, I'd just change the fluid myself for about $30. Get the Supertech Dexron 6 from walmart. Dexron 6 is Dexron 6 regardless of the brand, don't let anyone on this forum tell you otherwise. I didn't change the filter, it's too much work. Just fresh fluid is fine. After replacing just 3 quarts with new fluid, it already shifts sooo much smoother, no more jerkiness.

[tlow98]

330 and 325 models came with the ZF trans, iirc.

[SpeedBuggy]

Give this site a try:
http://www.thectsc.com/products/oil-...ai-187-61.html

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by downshiftdata

I've just purchased an '06 330xi with 93k and stiff shifting. I'm guessing the transmission fluid has never been replaced. I write software, not wrench on cars, so I'm planning to purchase what I need and have my local shop do the work.

This is like taking a steak to a restaurant and asking them to cook it. Ask them ahead of time if it's okay. They may not warranty their work if you bring them the fluid. I would recommend just letting them do the whole thing if you don't plan on doing it yourself, especially with something like transmission fluid. If they're a good independent shop, then they'll use the right fluid.

[Meeni]

330 use Lifeguard 6 fluid exclusively, which is insanely expensive ($40/L msrp, can be found for $25 online). You need 7x$25 bottles of dodo juice, and a trans filter/pan for $125, and a mecatronic sleeve for $15.

If you decide to do the work yourself, it's pretty straightforward, but the refill procedure is somewhat confusing and can cause you grief if you don't do it correctly (i.e. not on level floor, not paying attention to oil temperature, etc). Best is to use ISTA-D to assist in the procedure with the car computer.

[downshiftdata]

Thanks for the responses. Bringing my own stuff to this particular shop isn't an issue, but thanks for that warning.

It's a manual. Once again, I don't wrench on my own cars, not any more than I have to. I'd rather have it done right than done by me, if I think there's any chance at all I could screw up something expensive.

One more thing... I'm seeing both 75W-80 and 75W-90 as the right fluid. Opinions?

Otherwise, this gives me a lot to run on, so thanks!

[401FlaGATOR]

Service kits for 06 330xi E90:

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33...n_Service_Kit/

[401FlaGATOR]

Remember you need new pan and filter.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...17571217~lv2s/

[ctuna]

Redline D4 will help smooth out the shifts.
See redlineoil website.
No big deal to change the manual fluid simple
drain and fill.(and not nearly as much fluid needed)
When people say transmission around here it's
pretty much automatically assumed to be automatic
as the manuals are usually not ordered.
Its often the case that you can do it more right than
somebody else.

[rick100]

why go through all the hassle of buying your own stuff if you are going to take it to a shop anyways.

you may save 20-30 bucks , maybe nothing .

Bring the car to a specialize bmw shop , let them do the job.

[downshiftdata]

I live in the sticks. I have a mechanic I know well that's 5 minutes up the road. I'd have to go pretty far to get to a BMW shop. And I'm leaving town soon and can simply leave it with the guy. The car's new to me, and he's giving it a once-over. I know I specifically want him to change the trans fluid, as I'm hoping that's why the shifting is stiff.

He's a good mechanic, but not the type to do the research like me. So that's why I'm here.

Thanks again for the responses.

[ctuna]

I would suggest you find him some DIY guides and if he
does not have a BMW scanner you should probably buy one
or get a coding setup with Ista d and the Inpa suite.
This is dirt cheap and gives you the same ability as a BMW
dealership plus coding ability.
see bimmergeeks.net

There is some quirky things you have to know about these cars
to effectively work on them . This car as around 10 subcomputers
and is not like a pre 2000 car.

electical e90 pdf
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU

Redline D4 smoothed out my transmission
its a manual.

Google Mike Miller BMW for the old school maintenance schedule .

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by downshiftdata

I've just purchased an '06 330xi with 93k and stiff shifting. I'm guessing the transmission fluid has never been replaced. I write software, not wrench on cars, so I'm planning to purchase what I need and have my local shop do the work. So... What fluid? How much? From where? My initial searching tells me there's also a filter and a pan to replace. Is that right? And I wonder what other gotchas could bite me (like any particular things the mechanic should or shouldn't do).

If someone wants to answer these questions, hey, great! But I'd expect to be taught to fish, and would certainly appreciate that. This is my first Bimmer, and I'm not familiar with what resources to rely upon and what to avoid.

I did search through the forums before posting, and didn't feel confident enough in what I was finding. There were a lot of old, conflicting results, and I thought it'd be much safer to just ask this fresh.

Thanks for any help!

J

If you don't want to DIY this, I would find a local shop that specializes in European Autos. Make sure they have 4 & 5 star reviews. Have them do it. You don't even need to buy the parts. They will have them or get them.

If you want to buy parts and get a lifetime warranty, get a kit from FCP Euro. Just make sure that the local shop you are taking it too will use customer's parts. If you want a full transmission flush, you will need 12 qts of fluid. Otherwise, the kit they provide will give you enough to change the fluid out of the pan, but leave the fluid in the torque converter.

[ctuna]

Dude says he has a Manual three pedal car .
Does anybody read the full thread .
Its something like 1.5 liters you would buy 2
liters max.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec..._Replacing.htm

So do you really have a manual?
Or is it a automatic with select a gear
Is there a third pedal?

"Thanks for the responses. Bringing my own stuff to this particular shop isn't an issue, but thanks for that warning.

It's a manual. Once again, I don't wrench on my own cars, not any more than I have to. I'd rather have it done right than done by me, if I think there's any chance at all I could screw up something expensive."

from the OP

[downshiftdata]

Originally Posted by ctuna

So do you really have a manual?

Yeah, three pedals. I'm a stick-shift snob. My 5th personal vehicle, 5th stick.

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by downshiftdata

I've just purchased an '06 330xi with 93k and stiff shifting. I'm guessing the transmission fluid has never been replaced. I write software, not wrench on cars, so I'm planning to purchase what I need and have my local shop do the work. So... What fluid? How much? From where? My initial searching tells me there's also a filter and a pan to replace. Is that right? And I wonder what other gotchas could bite me (like any particular things the mechanic should or shouldn't do).

If someone wants to answer these questions, hey, great! But I'd expect to be taught to fish, and would certainly appreciate that. This is my first Bimmer, and I'm not familiar with what resources to rely upon and what to avoid.

I did search through the forums before posting, and didn't feel confident enough in what I was finding. There were a lot of old, conflicting results, and I thought it'd be much safer to just ask this fresh.

Thanks for any help!

J

You definitely have a ZF manual transmission since it is XI (and you said 3 pedals). These days BMW manual transmission oil is MTL-LT3.

I don't remember the exact amount, but you will need something like 1.5 lts, so you will need two liter (or two quart which is more or less same) bottles of oil.

Other than two quarts (or liters) bottles of oil, the only other thing you will need are the drain and fill plug replacements. You can reuse the existing ones but at that age the rubber plug seals may have hardened, not worth risking.

For ZF transmission which what you should have, you will need two of these pugs:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/23117531356/

If you were to do it yourself, you would need a fluid pump also to pump the oil to the transmission, but since going to mechanic they will have this already.

You can get the BMW factory MTF-LT3 oil from below link (or local from dealer if they sell quart bottles or any other online):
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/83222339221/

It is on the expensive side.

ECS Tuning has many other options:
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-33..._Transmission/

I personally like the Fuchs Titan SintoFluid 75W-80. I have been using it on mine for more than a year and really smooth shifting. In winter it warms up quick also.

I had bought the Fuchs from here, good price:

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/8...G861-V316.aspx

You don't need no pan or filter, those for the missing 3rd pedal

Just in case if you are new into stick shift driving, with winter they all get stiff, slow, and hard to shift. Some better than others, and some oils are better than others but in the end cold weather makes manual transmissions hard to shift. Until the oil in them warms up, but takes longer than the engine warming up, since there is no internal combustion going on inside them.
[Edit: Ignore the last paragraph above, I later saw your post about this having your 5th stick shift vehicle]

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by ctuna

I would suggest you find him some DIY guides and if he
does not have a BMW scanner you should probably buy one
or get a coding setup with Ista d and the Inpa suite.
This is dirt cheap and gives you the same ability as a BMW
dealership plus coding ability.
see bimmergeeks.net

There is some quirky things you have to know about these cars
to effectively work on them . This car as around 10 subcomputers
and is not like a pre 2000 car.

electical e90 pdf
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU

Redline D4 smoothed out my transmission
its a manual.

Google Mike Miller BMW for the old school maintenance schedule .

Awesome electrical PDF links, thanks for that, very informative.