[Shah91n]

Hello everyone,

As new BMW onwer, I would love some advice & recommendation from BMW experienced owners as I have seen different opinions on the following all over the internet:

Car Info (Currently 190k Miles) - Series 3 2011 316d N47

1- Do I need to flush the fluids such as Brake/Power Steering/Coolant?

* Some people argue over that which some say when it's very dark, bad or there is a problem then flush it otherwise it should last, meanwhile others said, it's good to do every 2 to 4 years (But is it neccessary or just for the sake of good!!)?

If so then Can I get Extractor and refresh the fluids or must be bleeded out of their system!! (I am doing it myself so extractor seems safe to me)

* Actually I cannot locate Power Steering fluid, it's somewhere hidden. Any idea?

- Do I really need to change Timing Chain? I hear no noises, and engine seems running well and the car has been well serviced all time via BMW and decent mechanics yet some people keep saying change it while some keep saying it's made for Life and only change if there is a problem or noises coming up from the engine like rattling, Do you agree?

- What do you think to do to keep the car running up (say to 500k )?

- I am going to change Read Brake Pads/Discs, how can I know the dimensions of the rear discs as I have seen 2 differents on Micksgarage on my car?

* Can anyone from experience outline the risk and what could possibly go wrong if I mess up? it's my first time to do that though.

Thank you very much

[TunafishE93]

I would all fluids but automatic transmission.. At this point if the transmission hasn't been regularly service I think its better to leave alone..

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

I would all fluids but automatic transmission.. At this point if the transmission hasn't been regularly service I think its better to leave alone..

I replaced my transmission fluid for the first time around 220K miles, despite a reputable independent shop saying not to do it. Just a simple drain and fill, no fancy pressurized flushes or other chemicals. It significantly improved my shift quality.

[TunafishE93]

Yeah they are hit and miss with high mileage non serviced trannys.. I would not feel comfortable recommending fluid change but to each their own.

[clegg]

go to realoem.com and enter your vin for the correct p/n for the brake rotors or any part for that matter.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

I would all fluids but automatic transmission.. At this point if the transmission hasn't been regularly service I think its better to leave alone..

Not true, 99% time on this platform.

[dmatre]

Check your manual, and change fluids based upon recommendations.

If you have maintenance records & car is up to date for service, then continue per the manual.

If you don't know the service to be current, then I'd change all fluids ... then change again only based upon the service schedule.

I'm not familiar with your engine, so I can't give any advice on the timing chain. A bit more research should lead you to your answer there.

Welcome to the club!

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

Yeah they are hit and miss with high mileage non serviced trannys.. I would not feel comfortable recommending fluid change but to each their own.

Ok, that’s your opinion, which is fine, but on this platform that logic has not been proven true.

What has been proven true is that a simple drain and refill helps 99% of the time and when it doesn’t help, it’s not “bad” bc your trans was already shot anyway and you had nothing to lose by trying.

Do your research before posting blanket statements. Helps everyone.

[tlow98]

OP, you’ll find that most of the info regarding drivetrain specific thoughts will not apply on this board as we never had the 316 in the US. You’d be best off researching based on specific part numbers, etc.

[TunafishE93]

This is not blank statements so get off my nuts.. This applies to all trannies.. You what to recommend that than that's on you.

[Shah91n]

Thank you everyone. I will read the manual and pretty much most of opinions is to refresh the fluids. It's not scary as I will do it myself and planning to use extractor as not comfortable to bleed anything out of the system (I do not want air/dust/anything to enter the tubes/system).

[Shah91n]

Originally Posted by dmatre

Check your manual, and change fluids based upon recommendations.

If you have maintenance records & car is up to date for service, then continue per the manual.

If you don't know the service to be current, then I'd change all fluids ... then change again only based upon the service schedule.

I'm not familiar with your engine, so I can't give any advice on the timing chain. A bit more research should lead you to your answer there.

Welcome to the club!

I know you would not have same versions in the US but this forum seem to have more experienced people XD anyway I do live in Ireland.

There was a problem in Ireland back in the days where there was a problem with the timing chain for Engine N47 year 2008 2009 where BMW recalled all cars to change it for free for everyone. So some friends making me worry as it's same engine meanwhile some say this problem has been resolved by BMW and 2011 car should not have the same that's why I am hesitating, do I change it? but I feel the engine is running well and I do not want a mechanic mess this up and better to keep the original timing chain in as long as no issue but if timing chain blow up during driving, I guess I am f* up big time!!! anyway thank you for the welcoming me here

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

This is not blank statements so get off my nuts.. This applies to all trannies.. You what to recommend that than that's on you.

Yes we all know these stories. They just don’t seem to apply much to these transmissions and this chassis. Most of those stories stem from “flushes” not drain and refill.

Go ahead, search on here how many people had 100k or 150k that were having transmission issues that were then solved by a filter + drain and refill. Don’t comment again until you’ve read them. Then think about how you’d like to give other people your opinion based on fact, not 90s opinions.

[kanovic]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yes we all know these stories. They just don’t seem to apply much to these transmissions and this chassis. Most of those stories stem from “flushes” not drain and refill.

Go ahead, search on here how many people had 100k or 150k that were having transmission issues that were then solved by a filter + drain and refill. Don’t comment again until you’ve read them. Then think about how you’d like to give other people your opinion based on fact, not 90s opinions.

Chill man geez. It’s a forum, guy was giving his opinion . There is almost no facts on forums. Even people that says it helped their problem it is basically still their opinion, there is zero facts/evidence that they can provide to show that it in FACT helped prolong anything.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by kanovic

Chill man geez. It’s a forum, guy was giving his opinion . There is almost no facts on forums. Even people that says it helped their problem it is basically still their opinion, there is zero facts/evidence that they can provide to show that it in FACT helped prolong anything.

I’m way chill. You’re spreading misinformation faster than the coronavirus. I’d say the end, but it seems like you’re intent on not learning, so surely we’ll see you again. Le sigh.

No facts on forums? Why on earth would people come here for advice on how to fix their cars then?


EDIT: wrong person. I see there is two of you opinion givers. Feel free to give an opinion of what a car looks like, or if you approve of a mod, but please don’t tell people what they should be doing with respect to mechanical issues with their cars. So, just put something like “opinion giver” I. Your signature so that in any thread that asks for mechanical knowledge we know not to pay attention to you.

Did you do any searching on here about fluid changes and what happened next?

[kanovic]

Originally Posted by tlow98

I’m way chill. You’re spreading misinformation faster than the coronavirus. I’d say the end, but it seems like you’re intent on not learning, so surely we’ll see you again. Le sigh.

No facts on forums? Why on earth would people come here for advice on how to fix their cars then?


EDIT: wrong person. I see there is two of you opinion givers. Feel free to give an opinion of what a car looks like, or if you approve of a mod, but please don’t tell people what they should be doing with respect to mechanical issues with their cars. So, just put something like “opinion giver” I. Your signature so that in any thread that asks for mechanical knowledge we know not to pay attention to you.

Did you do any searching on here about fluid changes and what happened next?

Lmaoooo dude it will be okay I promise. God forbid people give opinions on a forum of all things lol... breath man whhhoooosaaaaa

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by kanovic

Lmaoooo dude it will be okay I promise. God forbid people give opinions on a forum of all things lol... breath man whhhoooosaaaaa

Yes

[Tambohamilton]

If you can't hear the chains, don't touch them. Engines built post Jan 2009 are way more reliable, and there were other revisions between then and 2011. Though I think new parts were still bring released as late as 2013.

If you're listening for the noise, it's most noticeable around 1500-2000rpm, and will probably be like someone shaking a maraca to begin with. My partner's car was doing it. Took it to the dealership and they said listen again at next service (a year after), so clearly they weren't in a mad rush to change parts. I did them myself using new OE parts at around 100k miles (59 reg 118d); silence ever since. The parts that came out barely seemed worn.


...and regarding the tranny fluid; if changing the fluid kills the tranny, it wouldn't have done many more miles anyhow! Get it done.

[Shah91n]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

If you can't hear the chains, don't touch them. Engines built post Jan 2009 are way more reliable, and there were other revisions between then and 2011. Though I think new parts were still bring released as late as 2013.

If you're listening for the noise, it's most noticeable around 1500-2000rpm, and will probably be like someone shaking a maraca to begin with. My partner's car was doing it. Took it to the dealership and they said listen again at next service (a year after), so clearly they weren't in a mad rush to change parts. I did them myself using new OE parts at around 100k miles (59 reg 118d); silence ever since. The parts that came out barely seemed worn.


...and regarding the tranny fluid; if changing the fluid kills the tranny, it wouldn't have done many more miles anyhow! Get it done.

Thank you very much. Noted !!!