Yea, if you're going to keep a vehicle in the long run, the ATF is not to be neglected. On BMWs, it's suggested by the enthusiasts that an ATF change be done every 30-50k. As for the automatics failing after the ATF, sometimes changing the ATF on a high mileage vehicle may do more harm than good. Then again, automatic transmissions are complex, unpredictable things that may or may not fail between 70k miles and 200k miles.

Buy a manual.