Quote:
Originally Posted by trader4
The obvious problem is that BMW needs a clear statement on what exactly they mean by lifetime and they also need to be consistent. It's not a trivial issue. And if they have clarified it, no one has produced anything here to show it. Quite amazing for the Geman wunderking of cars.
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I don't think it is a problem, really. People love to debate whether to change the fluid or not on boards like this, but there has never been a causal link established between extra fluid changes and extended transmission life. We don't see reports of transmission failures related to fluid condition. They fail for lots of other reasons (electrical harnesses, sensors, etc) but not usually fluid. That is what makes this trivial.
A parallel to this is the engine oil debate. BMW gave a very clear recommendation on engine oil and filter. But it didn't change that people love to debate doing early additional oil changes, and whether non-spec oil is better or worse.
The owner's manuals have never been revised, to my knowledge. Follow what is in your manual. Or your service booklet, which is generally published by the local BMW marketing organization, not BMW corporate. Or not. And just because a newer model of transmission has a different recommendation, doesn't change the recommendation that was originally given for a specific vehicle.
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