Let's beat a subject to death IMHO, the best way to get a nice and long lasting transmission is as follows...


1) Dont warm up the engine then drive the truck hard once you leave the house, remember - the tranny is still cold. My E34 M5 (currently have) and my E39 M5 (sold) even suggested this in the owners manual, as well as the E39 having a redline changing tach until the engine is up to temp, which serves two purposes.
2)50k filter changes using ONLY BMW or Filtran filters, and don't forget to clean the magnets
3)50k fluid changes using either BMW suppled Esso ($20-$35ish per quart), VW supplied Esso (like $15 per quart, close enough to the same stuff), Valvoline MaxLife (Esso compatible, 1 gallon for like $10-$15), Redline D4 ATF (like $10-$15 per quart) Castrol Import Multi Vehicle (the only dyno oild that is Esso compatible, like $6 per quart). I've said it before, and I'm sure the OP can agree that there is absolutely NO fluid that doesn't degrade over time. Period.


I have an E53 X5, so I don't have to worry about the whole tranny resetting thing that killcrap referred to.

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