BMW is 100% correct that the fluid is 'lifetime'.

Because once the fluid goes bad or gets contaminated, that the end of the lifetime for your transmission.

My indy has worked on BMWs for 20 years and was service manager at a local dealer for 10. He told me not to pay him the $500 for a proper flush and filter change.. said he'd rather sell me a $5000 transmission in a couple years :-)

My 4.4 is going in tomorrow. I'm at 70K and mine shifts just a little harsher than I'd like. Even if the new fluid doesn't help, seems like cheap insurance.

__________________
====================================
'04 E53 X5 4.4i
'05 Mazdaspeed MX-5
'00 Saab 9-3 SE Cabrio