[Outlaw 06]

You should get a copy of Mike Miller's Old School BMW Maintenance Schedule from BMW CCA. His e-mail address is: techtalk@roundel.org.

[3s4u2]

Please understand this quote from the BMW e90 service manual. "Dive-train Lubricants- Manual and automatic transmissions are filled with a lifetime lubrication. No oil change is required for the entire service life of the transmission."

Note: The "entire service life of the transmission", if you drive your car like a bat-out-hell its not going to last very long, heat kills any transmissions and if you run it hard and it lasts 30,000 miles and shreds..., that's the "entire service life of the transmission", I hope you understand this statement, the lawyers on this blog understand this statement loud an clear, the BMW service writer understands it. If you read the written warranty on your car it covers it.

Change it every 30,000, there is no cost comparison in changing Trans fluid verse a new or rebuilt ZF or GM transmission. If your BMW service writer gives you some BS answer ask them to call the ZF Manufacture technical assistance line and they will explain it to them.

ZF Group North American Operations Inc.
Headquarters and Technical Center
ZF Boge Elastmetall
15811 Centennial Drive
Northville, MI 48168
Phone: +1 734 416-6200
Fax: +1 734 416-8331

ZF's usage chart...


As you can see in the chart, the hotter and harder you run your car the sooner you will need to change the fluid.

For the guys that have e90 328i, 328ix year model 2007 or later, you have a GM auto trans GA6L45R, and I would never go past 30,000 on a GM trans, the chart applies as well.

If you have a year model 2006 E90 325i, 325ix, 330i or a 330ix you have a ZF 6HP19 Auto Trans.

If you have a year model 2007 and up E90 335i, 335ix you have a ZF 6HP19 Auto Trans.

I am not specialist in this field but this is the information I received form ZF when I inquired about my wife's 06 325i over 110,000 miles ago and her trans still preforms flawlessly. I change the trans fluid in all my vehicles every 30,000 or less depending on how I drive or if I am towing. As posted earlier, have your fluids analysis done by an independent Lab such as Blackstone or even Amsoil.

[galahad05]

Excellent advice 3s4!

[F32Fleet]

The SA is generally correct but I believe it applies to vehicles @65k miles or more. This is a common reason not to change any ATF on a vehicle which hasn't had it done by this mileage. It doesn't matter if it's a BMW or a Ford. BTW there are a ton of other car brands which also have the same AT or have "lifetime" fills. It's NOT a BMW thing.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Socom

The SA is generally correct but I believe it applies to vehicles @65k miles or more.

It's funny how some people say, "only 50,000 miles, that is wayyyyyy to early, and others say, oh you are at 65,000 miles, don't do it.". It seems that if you don't catch that internet window, you are screwed.

Since BMW states in their warranty booklet 100,000 miles then I would use that as a drop dead mileage time frame. Do NOT go pass 100,000 miles without changing. I know, I know, my uncle bob didn't change his and he has 1 million miles. This advice is not for the risk takers, cheap asses, and people that are getting rid of their finaced/leased car before 100,000 miles. This advice is for people that will be on this board for the next 10 years.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

It's funny how some people say, "only 50,000 miles, that is wayyyyyy to early, and others say, oh you are at 65,000 miles, don't do it.". It seems that if you don't catch that internet window, you are screwed.

Since BMW states in their warranty booklet 100,000 miles then I would use that as a drop dead mileage time frame. Do NOT go pass 100,000 miles without changing. I know, I know, my uncle bob didn't change his and he has 1 million miles. This advice is not for the risk takers, cheap asses, and people that are getting rid of their finaced/leased car before 100,000 miles. This advice is for people that will be on this board for the next 10 years.

Well in that case you realize there is no warranty after you change the fluid at 100k miles. Personally I intend to follow the recommendation of ZF and that is IIRC 80k km.
I can't ignore the disconnect between ZF and BMW in this regard.

Note. I believe my driving falls under what ZF calls severe service.

[33beto]

3S4U2, question? GM trannys then can use the new dexron6 or i should sttick with OEM fluid (meaning if is different than the regular dexron6)

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by 33beto

3S4U2, question? GM trannys then can use the new dexron6 or i should sttick with OEM fluid (meaning if is different than the regular dexron6)

If you don't use OEM, then you should look for an oil that is "approved" for use in your particular transmission. For my transmission Castrol has a spec sheet that shows that ATF Import is approved for my transmission. You should search for the same type of approval. See attached.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

If you don't use OEM, then you should look for an oil that is "approved" for use in your particular transmission. For my transmission Castrol has a spec sheet that shows that ATF Import is approved for my transmission. You should search for the same type of approval. See attached.

Interesting that mercon sp is not on that list since its considered an equivalent to LG6 aka Shell 1375.4.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Socom

Well in that case you realize there is no warranty after you change the fluid at 100k miles. Personally I intend to follow the recommendation of ZF and that is IIRC 80k km.
I can't ignore the disconnect between ZF and BMW in this regard.

Note. I believe my driving falls under what ZF calls severe service.

I was just using it as a "drop-dead" reference. Seeing the oil analysis within this thread, then 80,000 km sounds about right.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Socom

Interesting that mercon sp is not on that list since its considered an equivalent to LG6 aka Shell 1375.4.

That list is for Castrol's Import Multi-vehicle transmission fluid only.

[3s4u2]

Originally Posted by 33beto

3S4U2, question? GM trannys then can use the new dexron6 or i should sttick with OEM fluid (meaning if is different than the regular dexron6)

GM GM6 "GA6L45R" Auto Trans
Trans Fluid BMW Part No: 83 22 0 397 114
Fluid- Manufactures Part No: DEXRON VI

ZF 6HP19 "GA6HP19Z" Auto Trans
Trans Fluid BMW Part No: 83 22 0 142 516
Fluid- Manufactures Part No: Shell M-1375.4

[galahad05]

I just got done talking to my SA (pretty knowledgeable and cool guy): I asked about the "lifetime fluids" and changing them.

His take:
If you're really going to keep the car:
radiator @ every 50k miles
differential @ every 100k miles
auto tranny @ every ~40k-50k miles
manual tranny @ every 100k miles

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

If you don't use OEM, then you should look for an oil that is "approved" for use in your particular transmission. For my transmission Castrol has a spec sheet that shows that ATF Import is approved for my transmission. You should search for the same type of approval. See attached.

To be a bit picky, the Castrol Import ATF pdf uses the words "recommended" and "meets or exceeds requirements". That is Castrol making those statements. It is only MERCON V, that the words "fully incensed" and "approved under Ford" are made.

That is why Socom mentions Mercon SP. If the assumption (not mine) is Shell M1375.4 and Mercon SP are equivalent, then Mercon SP should be listed on the Ford specifications line.

I also noticed you have a '06 325. Does it have a ZF 6AT or a GM 6AT? Just looking at the wording on this PDF that this fluid is not recommended for Dextron VI applications.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Bcube

To be a bit picky, the Castrol Import ATF pdf uses the words "recommended" and "meets or exceeds requirements". That is Castrol making those statements. It is only MERCON V, that the words "fully incensed" and "approved under Ford" are made.

That is why Socom mentions Mercon SP. If the assumption (not mine) is Shell M1375.4 and Mercon SP are equivalent, then Mercon SP should be listed on the Ford specifications line.

I also noticed you have a '06 325. Does it have a ZF 6AT or a GM 6AT? Just looking at the wording on this PDF that this fluid is not recommended for Dextron VI applications.

Yeah, I am not sure why they worded it that way. So far my transmission is doing fine, it is a ZF 6AT. Stay tuned....

Edit: You are right if your trans requires Dexron VI then stay away from Castrol Mult-vehicle Import. Luckily, mine can use Castrol Multi-Vehicle Import trans oil.

[Saintor]

For the guys that have e90 328i, 328ix year model 2007 or later, you have a GM auto trans GA6L45R, and I would never go past 30,000 on a GM trans, the chart applies as well.

The 6L family of transmission has proven to be very robust and your fears are not founded. It is as good as ZF and ithe 6L50/45R has the same torque nominal capacity. It is used in CTS, Camaro, G8 and it is generally appreciated out of the elitist BMW world.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Saintor

The 6L family of transmission has proven to be very robust and your fears are not founded. It is as good as ZF and ithe 6L50/45R has the same torque nominal capacity. It is used in CTS, Camaro, G8 and it is generally appreciated out of the elitist BMW world.

Our fears are well founded. GM (France ) AT have historically been problematic for BMW.

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by Socom

Our fears are well founded. GM (France ) AT have historically been problematic for BMW.

Early 2007 X3/328i had hesitations and it had more to do with BMW DME programming than the transmission itself. Mine is a also a 2007 and it is butter-smooth.

We rarely hear something similar about 2008+. GM 6L transmissions are bulletproof mechanically.

ZF proved to be much more problematic. They often leaks over the long run.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Saintor

Early 2007 X3/328i had hesitations and it had more to do with BMW DME programming than the transmission itself. Mine is a also a 2007 and it is butter-smooth.

We rarely hear something similar about 2008+. GM 6L transmissions are bulletproof mechanically.

ZF proved to be much more problematic. They often leaks over the long run.

Trying going back to the E46 and the E36 before then. I'm not saying that they're crap but they are far from 'bulletproof'.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by Socom

Trying going back to the E46 and the E36 before then. I'm not saying that they're crap but they are far from 'bulletproof'.

The infamous reverse issue on the E46 330i/325i were with ZF Automatics. With the possible exception of the first year E46, all North American market E46's had ZFs when BMW switched to "steptronic" in late 1999.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Bcube

The infamous reverse issue on the E46 330i/325i were with ZF Automatics. With the possible exception of the first year E46, all North American market E46's had ZFs when BMW switched to "steptronic" in late 1999.

Nope. Both GM and ZF had the problem. Do your research.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by Socom

Nope. Both GM and ZF had the problem. Do your research.

Nope. But thank you for the suggestion. Just too busy to care about last century.