My 2001 X5 service manual has nothing stated about changing ATF. However, my friend's 2002 X5 has it listed that the ATF should be changed at 100K miles. It sounds like since the late 90's when BMW was stated "Lifetime ATF" (meaning forever) has changed their definition as "Lifetime=100K miles" as of 2002 model years.
Nevertheless, I did change my ATF shortly after 100K miles and guess what....around this time last year at around 137K miles, my auto tranny died. Ended up with a BMW rebuilt one with 2 year/unlimited miles warranty from BMW and now have 155K miles.
Interestingly enough, in our '04 M3, BMW recommends changing the rear diff oil and manual tranny oil at every Inspection II (also in Insp 2, the M3 needs new sparks, oil, air filter, valves checked and adjusted).
So, ask your BMW dealer how much for the ATF fluid change at 100K miles? Probably about $500-$600 due to manily the cost of the special ATF (also need new auto trans filter).
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Originally Posted by Lotus Man
Not sure why there has been so much dialog on how BMW doesn't recommend /enforce changing the automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and deem it a "life time" fluid. My 2003 service manual clearly states the following (on the same page):
Brake Fluid - Every 2 years
Coolant - Every 4 years
ATF (automatic transmission fluid!) - Every 100,000 miles
Does no one have this in their manuals?
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