ATF & Filter Change - DONE ......

[H8Rain]

Today I changed the ATF and the filter in my 2005 4.4 with 31K miles on it. Special thanks to member "swissfrank" for helping with the fill location, all worked as you described

I know at 31K a filter change probably wasn't needed but I am very anal about this type of stuff, so I figured what the heck. I purchased the ATF from the dealer by suppling them with the part number on the bottom of the pan. Ouch..... $200 for 6 quarts. I well, I'm not taking any chances with anything other than what was already in it. Purchased the filter, gasket and new plugs from Bavarian Auto (www.bavauto.com).

Overall the job went smooth. The biggest challange was getting the truck up on (4) jack stands. That alone took almost 45 minutes. The actual change and clean up took just under 2 hours. I was happy to see that the old fluid looked pretty good. A dark brown-ish with a hint of gold still. The bottom of the pan was also pretty clean, very very little "sluge" on the pan and magnets. I am very glad I did this at 31K miles. Next complete change will be at 60K .

Next weekend I'm gonna do the transfer case fluid and both Diff's. I ran out of time today, had to mow the lawn . For the transfer case again I'm using dealer fluid. It's $20 a quart, but I only need a quart so not that big a deal. For the diff's I'm gonna use Redline.

[swissfrank]

Hey, no worries! I'm very glad to hear that you're anal about fluids and that you actually changed your transmission fluid early enough!

Did you match up a brass fitting or did you fit a hose up there?

[redbaronace]

Hey there

I know that this has been discussed before, but I just bought a 2000 4.4i and it has about 115,000 miles on it. I have a BMW mechanic who will perform repairs on my car for $40/hr and thinking about getting the fluids changed (break flush, coolant flush, oil time comes and differentials). Should I get the transmission fluid changed as well? Some of the posters state that if you dont change it early to not change it at all.

My X5 is in excellent condition and I plan to keep this car for a while and dont wish to buy a new transmission now or anytime in the future. Since I dont have have the maintenance records on the car, im wondering if I change the fluids that im just asking for trouble down the line. Another bit of information is that I plan to get a OEM hitch installed to tow our 7000lb boat for the summer.

Your recommendations on which fluids should be changed is much appreciated.

Thanks
Bryan

[H8Rain]

SWISSFRANK: I was able to easily get the hose from the pump up in there with no problems. Therefore no brass fitting needed. The only thing that was somewhat strange was the amount of new fluid I used. When I drained all of the old fluid (including what was left in the bottom of the pan and the filter) I measured it so that I could gauge how much new fluid needed to go back in. I still had about 8oz (1 cup) of new fluid left to go and it started coming out of the fill hole. I did the entire fill, start the car, shift through the gears and continue filling but still couldn't get that last little bit in. I even took it for a quick spin around the block and then tried again but it would take anymore. Should I be concerned? Everything feels good.

REDBARONACE: My 2-cents. I would change them all. For the transmission, if it were me, I would ONLY use the factory transmission fluid from the dealer as per the part number on the pan. I would do a complete fluid and filter change cleaning the pan and magnets. With over 100K miles I would even go so far as to do a complete change as stated above, then drive it for a day and then do a simple drain and fill again. This would really help get more "new" fluid in there. If you're having an indy shop do the work, don't do any type of "flush".

[jayjay_dee]

Originally Posted by H8Rain

I purchased the ATF from the dealer by suppling them with the part number on the bottom of the pan.

Next weekend I'm gonna do the transfer case fluid ... For the transfer case again I'm using dealer fluid. It's $20 a quart, but I only need a quart so not that big a deal.

Ok, i need to replace the Transfer Case fluid on my 04 3.0i..

Called the parts dept, told the guy i need Transfer case fluid and he told me that i need to give him the part number that can be found under the car. So i brought my X to my indy, put the X on the lift and found no part number for the fluid, only for the transmission fluid.

Based on the above, facelifted X doesnt use ATF on the Transfer Case.
Does anybody knows the part number for this?

[X5 Meister]

The fluid is different for cars that have X-drive and those that do not. So make 1000% certain which group you fall into.

WITHOUT X-Drive - use Dexron III ATF BMW p/n 83 22 9 407 858

WITH X-Drive - use BMW transfer case oil BMW p/n 83 22 0 397 244

HOWEVER, this is from a 2006 version of the TIS. Have the parts guy look at the latest one to make sure there are no changes to the spec. You'll probably need just 1 liter as I believe the change capacity is about 0.5 liter.

BTW, if your parts guy didn't know to do this, find another parts guy. If your indy didn't know either, find another indy.

[jayjay_dee]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

The fluid is different for cars that have X-drive and those that do not. So make 1000% certain which group you fall into.

WITHOUT X-Drive - use Dexron III ATF BMW p/n 83 22 9 407 858

WITH X-Drive - use BMW transfer case oil BMW p/n 83 22 0 397 244

HOWEVER, this is from a 2006 version of the TIS. Have the parts guy look at the latest one to make sure there are no changes to the spec. You'll probably need just 1 liter as I believe the change capacity is about 0.5 liter.

BTW, if your parts guy didn't know to do this, find another parts guy. If your indy didn't know either, find another indy.

my X is 04 3.0 so it should have X-Drive right?

attn weasel: can you please confirm if this part is correct?
"WITH X-Drive - use BMW transfer case oil BMW p/n 83 22 0 397 244"

[X5 Meister]

What you don't believe me? I'd run your VIN with your dealer to make 100% certain you do have x-drive.

[N S]

Originally Posted by redbaronace

Hey there

I know that this has been discussed before, but I just bought a 2000 4.4i and it has about 115,000 miles on it. I have a BMW mechanic who will perform repairs on my car for $40/hr and thinking about getting the fluids changed (break flush, coolant flush, oil time comes and differentials). Should I get the transmission fluid changed as well? Some of the posters state that if you dont change it early to not change it at all.

My X5 is in excellent condition and I plan to keep this car for a while and dont wish to buy a new transmission now or anytime in the future. Since I dont have have the maintenance records on the car, im wondering if I change the fluids that im just asking for trouble down the line. Another bit of information is that I plan to get a OEM hitch installed to tow our 7000lb boat for the summer.

Your recommendations on which fluids should be changed is much appreciated.

Thanks
Bryan

No 1. - Finding an OEM hitch is next to impossible right now.
No 2. - Towing capacity is rated at 6,000lbs

[jayjay_dee]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

What you don't believe me? I'd run your VIN with your dealer to make 100% certain you do have x-drive.

its not that i dont believe you, its because you said this

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

HOWEVER, this is from a 2006 version of the TIS. Have the parts guy look at the latest one to make sure there are no changes to the spec.

btw, i forgot to thank you for your previous reply...