Should I change the Tranny Fluid? Or something else?

[butundo]

Originally Posted by X5 in AK

Buy the ESSO fluid from a VW dealer, it the same stuff but cheaper.

Is there a fluid that anyone would recommend from a local parts store?

[raguilar]

I have 115,000 on my 2001 X5. I take my car to an independant BMW shop. They told me that they have seen many problems with changing the fluid on the trans after 80,000 miles. They advised me not to change the fluid.

[X5 in AK]

Originally Posted by butundo

Is there a fluid that anyone would recommend from a local parts store?

Nope, everyone has looked, there is no equivelant fluid.
see this article that if from the X5world home page. It lists the VW/Esso part number and instructions.
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hange-diy.html

Its expensive fluid (about $17/liter) but there is nothing else you can putin the 5 speed auto trannys.

[X5 in AK]

Originally Posted by raguilar

I have 115,000 on my 2001 X5. I take my car to an independant BMW shop. They told me that they have seen many problems with changing the fluid on the trans after 80,000 miles. They advised me not to change the fluid.

I changed mine at 85k miles, it was dirty as hell.
I also changed the filter and very carefully cleaned the inside of the pan.

No problems after an addtional 7k miles of driving...

[zacman]

I just called my service tech, I have an 03 3.0, 125k and I have never had a tranny flush, he said exactly what I knew he would... lifetime fluid... but if I want to have this done anyway... I wish I could count on it being done correctly.. extremely clean.. if I had the facility and the tools I would do it myself, but when you ask the shop if when they replace everything, fluid, filter, gasket and clean out the pan to a spotless shine, take all the appropriate steps.. It seems to offend them.... "like of coarse we do a perfect job"..... but I am a little skeptical.... plus I cant find a good indepentent shop close by.. so I am stuck driving an hour to the dealer.. What to do, What to do?

[chefwong]

Asking a dealership for a fluid flush at that mileage is a liability on their end.........what if your tranny went bad 8K miles from now, would you hold them responsible.

Similar to how with BT modules, something as simple like a software update (phone was working prior) but when it was brought in for service and had a software update done, the BT would not Pair with the phone (535)

For a indy that you're comfortable with, and also understand quality compatible fluids if you want a fluid change.

This is a hot debatable topic with no winners...so do what give you peace of mind....

[zacman]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

i haven't done it at all.

mrbmwx5, bimmer360 and wallyX5, kewlX5.....just to name a few (and myself 125k) Are there any high mileage (120k +) X5ers that could chime in with some comments on if they have or haven't done this yet?? from my searching these are the highest mileage X's I could find, wallyx5 posted 193k and running strong.. he said he was going to do it.. that was earlier this month and no update yet.. I am IM him now to get an update... Anyone out there that could give your 2cents?? I am not trying to call anyone out, getting good miles out of the X is what its all about!!

[Tomaz]

This is the article that convinced me to change my fluid; http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...smission+flush Which fluid would you want in your transmission? I think problems are caused when just the fluid is changed with out dropping the pan, cleaning the sludge and changing filters. I changed mine myself at 80K, I'm at 102K now, no problems.

[Bismark]

CHANGE IT AND CHANGE IT OFTEN. Once a year is ideal, also change the filter and clean the pan. I work in a transmission shop for the past 15 years. Read my reply to the previous thread.