I don't believe in lifetime fluid, I change ritually in the 50k range, and I've yet to have a failed transmission in any of my BMW's, or any vehicles for that matter. It's not going to solve the worlds problems, but I know from my own experience that spending $80 every 5yrs hasn't put me into the same position that I've read of others experiencing, inevitably costing them upward of $5000.

I gave advice on the second paragraph as well, yet you only quote my first paragraph, but thanks for contributing anyways. Useless battle with two different opinions, and I already know you're opinion on the matter. Based on the OP's situation, this isn't a matter of choice, so it's not really up for debate as to if he should change the fluid since most of it's going to be coming out anyways when he drops the pan. Short of catching all the fluid and replacing it per ESSO's suggestions, I'm simply telling him what he can do on his own vs the dealership as to getting the fluid back in, so your or my opinion on the matter of fluid replacement is irrelevant. I simply provided advice and options, not a shoulda woulda coulda debate.

__________________