Automatic Transmission Fluid Change - Every 100k Miles

[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?

[Aimster]

lol it says this? oops

[NOVAX5]

when they say "every" 100K miles, that implies you will have couples of ATF changes and that means 100K, 200K, and so on...I hope that holds true so that I wont have to trade in my X anytime soon before it hits 200K miles...am i dreaming this? or maybe i will just have 1 ATF change in the lifetime of my X...come on X...dont let down...

[Kewl X5]

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).

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?

[NOVAX5]

so you were able to get to 137K miles before it died? damn, thats good enough for me. i am now at 77K miles so thats 60K miles to go (hopefully) that means 4 more years. great. well i am just hoping.

[Aimster]

I am changing it too.
This weekend.

I am going to vaccum it.
Repeat process every 50 miles - 3 more times

Guaranteed to get everything out or damn well close to it.

and I am also going to change the filger