E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Transmission Fluid- Change or no change



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-01-2022, 03:46 PM   #1
gaith
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: Bmw 335xi
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairfax, VA

iTrader: (0)

Transmission Fluid- Change or no change

Hello,

I am wondering if changing my transmission fluid is a good idea. As I heard that the oil is good for life. I have a 2009 Bmw 335xi coupe 6 cylinder with 123000 miles. Any helpful advice would be great. Also if i change are there other oil products that are better than Genuine BMW like Liqui Moly or Pentosin.

Thank you
Appreciate 0
      07-03-2022, 04:10 AM   #2
flapeo
Private
flapeo's Avatar
17
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: 2011 335i x drive
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: seattle wa

iTrader: (0)

I would change with either the zf 6hp lifeguard fluid or whatever Rod Sutphin recommends on his website. Do the seals also and you'll be happy
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2022, 12:08 AM   #3
whyzee125
Brigadier General
1637
Rep
3,592
Posts

Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chattanooga Tn

iTrader: (0)

Absolutely change it. Use ONLY zf lifeguard 6 or mercon SP. Do not use redline, liquimoly, valvoline, etc. Trust me.

Mercon Sp and Lifeguard 6 are the same formulation but made by different branches of Shell. It will NOT shift right with anything else regardless of what it says on the bottle.
Appreciate 1
      07-05-2022, 02:06 AM   #4
StradaRedlands
Colonel
StradaRedlands's Avatar
United_States
4773
Rep
2,878
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [8.21]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ...  [7.90]
2013 BMW X5 35i  [7.63]
2011 BMW 528i  [8.75]
2006 Mazda3  [5.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
Absolutely change it. Use ONLY zf lifeguard 6 or mercon SP. Do not use redline, liquimoly, valvoline, etc. Trust me.

Mercon Sp and Lifeguard 6 are the same formulation but made by different branches of Shell. It will NOT shift right with anything else regardless of what it says on the bottle.
This go for GM as well as ZF?
Appreciate 1
JJT2110.00
      07-05-2022, 12:50 PM   #5
whyzee125
Brigadier General
1637
Rep
3,592
Posts

Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chattanooga Tn

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post
This go for GM as well as ZF?
No, the GM trans just requires Dexron Vi I believe so any brand of Dexron fluid will work just fine!
Appreciate 2
      07-05-2022, 02:48 PM   #6
StradaRedlands
Colonel
StradaRedlands's Avatar
United_States
4773
Rep
2,878
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [8.21]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ...  [7.90]
2013 BMW X5 35i  [7.63]
2011 BMW 528i  [8.75]
2006 Mazda3  [5.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
No, the GM trans just requires Dexron Vi I believe so any brand of Dexron fluid will work just fine!
Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      07-05-2022, 06:51 PM   #7
e91Owner
e91Owner
United_States
420
Rep
1,128
Posts

Drives: 2011 e91 & 2010 e60
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Out of the Office

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by StradaRedlands View Post

This go for GM as well as ZF?
I would say most DIYers use Valvoline maxlife in their GM trans. I've used normal D6 before, but maxlife seems to shift a little smoother. I've also seen people use maxlife in their ZF trans as well, but I continue to use MERCON SP.
Appreciate 2
      07-05-2022, 11:16 PM   #8
StradaRedlands
Colonel
StradaRedlands's Avatar
United_States
4773
Rep
2,878
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2006 BMW 330i  [8.21]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ...  [7.90]
2013 BMW X5 35i  [7.63]
2011 BMW 528i  [8.75]
2006 Mazda3  [5.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by e91Owner View Post
I would say most DIYers use Valvoline maxlife in their GM trans. I've used normal D6 before, but maxlife seems to shift a little smoother. I've also seen people use maxlife in their ZF trans as well, but I continue to use MERCON SP.
Thanks! It seems like all the good service videos are all for ZFs! GMers are left a little bereft!

Appreciate 1
whyzee1251637.00
      07-07-2022, 08:46 AM   #9
CTinline-six
Hoonigan
CTinline-six's Avatar
United_States
6812
Rep
3,000
Posts

Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Connecticut

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I've done two changes now on my GM 6L45 with Valvoline MaxLife ATF and the filter kit from FCP. Shifts well so far, and definitely better than when I first bought the car.
__________________
"Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

-Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2022, 10:27 PM   #10
Riot18
Registered
Riot18's Avatar
0
Rep
3
Posts

Drives: BMW 335xi
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gaith View Post
Hello,

I am wondering if changing my transmission fluid is a good idea. As I heard that the oil is good for life. I have a 2009 Bmw 335xi coupe 6 cylinder with 123000 miles. Any helpful advice would be great. Also if i change are there other oil products that are better than Genuine BMW like Liqui Moly or Pentosin.

Thank you
If it's a GM transmission than you shouldn't change it I'm not sure about the Zf ones. I asked the Foreman at my local BMW dealer and he said a fluid change could kill the transmission because it's gotten used to the old fluid.
Appreciate 0
      07-10-2022, 11:20 AM   #11
smatanovic
First Lieutenant
198
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 2022 i4 eDrive 40 mSport
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: The 215

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Riot18 View Post
If it's a GM transmission than you shouldn't change it I'm not sure about the Zf ones. I asked the Foreman at my local BMW dealer and he said a fluid change could kill the transmission because it's gotten used to the old fluid.
Im no BMW technician, but this sounds like terrible advice.
Appreciate 2
whyzee1251637.00
      07-11-2022, 08:16 AM   #12
CTinline-six
Hoonigan
CTinline-six's Avatar
United_States
6812
Rep
3,000
Posts

Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Connecticut

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Riot18 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaith View Post
Hello,

I am wondering if changing my transmission fluid is a good idea. As I heard that the oil is good for life. I have a 2009 Bmw 335xi coupe 6 cylinder with 123000 miles. Any helpful advice would be great. Also if i change are there other oil products that are better than Genuine BMW like Liqui Moly or Pentosin.

Thank you
If it's a GM transmission than you shouldn't change it I'm not sure about the Zf ones. I asked the Foreman at my local BMW dealer and he said a fluid change could kill the transmission because it's gotten used to the old fluid.
That is terrible advice, especially since GM (the manufacturer of the transmission) states to service it every 60k.
__________________
"Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

-Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
Appreciate 0
      07-12-2022, 02:51 PM   #13
gaith
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: Bmw 335xi
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairfax, VA

iTrader: (0)

So FCP Euro has a service kit link Below:
(https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...24152333907kt3)
Should i change the megatronic sleeves as well since i am in the transmission or is that not necessary?
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2022, 09:20 AM   #14
smatanovic
First Lieutenant
198
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 2022 i4 eDrive 40 mSport
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: The 215

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaith View Post
So FCP Euro has a service kit link Below:
(https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...24152333907kt3)
Should i change the megatronic sleeves as well since i am in the transmission or is that not necessary?
I went through this recently, and yes, I replaced all of the seals as well as the solenoids. The car now shifts like new.

If I can offer one tip, be VERY careful torquing the bolts that hold the mechatronic to the bottom of the transmission. They require a very small torque spec, and can strip quite easily. That happened to me, which resulted in a tow to the dealer to remove the stripped bolts and finish the job.
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2022, 09:25 AM   #15
TheMidnightNarwhal
Major General
TheMidnightNarwhal's Avatar
Canada
2595
Rep
6,227
Posts

Drives: 11' 335is DCT
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Gatineau, Quebec

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Riot18 View Post
If it's a GM transmission than you shouldn't change it I'm not sure about the Zf ones. I asked the Foreman at my local BMW dealer and he said a fluid change could kill the transmission because it's gotten used to the old fluid.
I believe that's an old myth/tale. I was told the same thing before on other cars and my personal conclusion is that yes the fluid can kill them earlier but if that's the case your tranny was on the way out anyways.
Appreciate 1
      07-13-2022, 01:49 PM   #16
stewwest
Registered
stewwest's Avatar
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: e91, Toyota FJ40 + MR2 Spyder
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Huntsville, AL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Just curious, has anyone used a 6L45 from one of the Cadillac models and put it into their 328i? Is anyone aware of any differences?
Appreciate 0
      07-13-2022, 04:26 PM   #17
gaith
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: Bmw 335xi
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fairfax, VA

iTrader: (0)

Are replacing the solenoids necessary ?
Appreciate 0
      09-03-2022, 01:00 PM   #18
whyzee125
Brigadier General
1637
Rep
3,592
Posts

Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chattanooga Tn

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Riot18 View Post
If it's a GM transmission than you shouldn't change it I'm not sure about the Zf ones. I asked the Foreman at my local BMW dealer and he said a fluid change could kill the transmission because it's gotten used to the old fluid.
The dealer will say the same about the ZF, it's terrible advice. ZF also says the fluid should be changed in their transmissions every 60k but BMW ignores that.

The whole thing behind lifetime fluid is so the car manufacturers can brag about their low maintenance cost over their predetermined lifespan of the car (say 100k for example).

Lifetime fluid is good for the lifetime of the trans, which will definitely be a shorter life than if you change it, regardless of who makes the trans.
Appreciate 2
      09-03-2022, 01:01 PM   #19
whyzee125
Brigadier General
1637
Rep
3,592
Posts

Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chattanooga Tn

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gaith View Post
Are replacing the solenoids necessary ?
Not unless you're having issues. If you're pushing 200k or having weird shifts, etc. then I would. Otherwise leave them alone, just do pan/filter and fluid. I would also do the mechatronic sleeve if you're ZF.
Appreciate 3
      11-05-2022, 12:46 AM   #20
Unservati
New Member
Unservati's Avatar
No_Country
21
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: Bmw e92 325ci
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: New zealand

iTrader: (0)

I had my fluid and filter replaced at 150k and the car has never shifted better.lifetime fluid just means the life of the factory warranty.2006 e92 n52 6at zf box.
Appreciate 3
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:56 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST