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

[m5james]

...which basically says to either change it every 50k (which I've suggested since day one) or play the odds and leave it be. For those who haven't changed it, then it's on you and it's simply a choice after that. Some have had luck changing the fluid in the 100k range w/ no ill effects and reported better shifting. Some have even changed fluid when they had shifting issues and it solved the problem. Some have also changed the fluid and had failures within days, weeks or months. It seems there is no definate answer, but since I've had no issues changing at 50k, which I've always done, then it's my conclusion that it shouldn't be an issue as long as it's maintained sooner than later, not waiting till issues have already risen.