X5 4.4 - Sludge in engine and oil filter housing... help!

[Naz24]

as for your poll, my service advisor told me that BMW recently redefined lifetime as 100k, so according to BMW you should change the trans oil. But on the other hand, there are certain particles in there that you might not want to lose

[ArNarX5]

I have an independent mechanic that I took it to who knows these cars in and out. I asked him the same question and he said change it, but there is always a risk. In his opinion though, the risk is greater if you drive and not change the oil at all.

From what I understand, there is only one type of Transmission oil that can be used on this car and it's not available to the public.

The mechaic wants $500 to do the oil change - $30/qt x 10 qts + 200 labor.

Sounds a bit steep but he justifies it with 500 for an oil change or 5,000 for a transmission.

Do you know if BMW sells the oil to the public? Or is it available anywhere else? Thanks.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by ArNarX5

I have an independent mechanic that I took it to who knows these cars in and out. I asked him the same question and he said change it, but there is always a risk. In his opinion though, the risk is greater if you drive and not change the oil at all.

From what I understand, there is only one type of Transmission oil that can be used on this car and it's not available to the public.

The mechaic wants $500 to do the oil change - $30/qt x 10 qts + 200 labor.

Sounds a bit steep but he justifies it with 500 for an oil change or 5,000 for a transmission.

Do you know if BMW sells the oil to the public? Or is it available anywhere else? Thanks.

I got the impression he was talking about the engine oil and not the transmission fluid.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by Naz24

as for your poll, my service advisor told me that BMW recently redefined lifetime as 100k, so according to BMW you should change the trans oil. But on the other hand, there are certain particles in there that you might not want to lose

And since BMW can't take it's head out of it's ass and stick w/ one answer, I'm still going to keep doing them at 50k for my own sake.