Transmission fluid drain or not? Dealer say its lifetime

[bcredliner]

I think if the fluid and filter are changed every 50,000 miles or so there will be little to no stuff to come loose. That's what the filter is for. In that time the fluid will have degraded to some degree. I think that some of that degradation will be a loss in lubricity which new fluid will correct. I would still change the fluid if it had 100,000 miles on it--but that's OCD me.
FYI--this question always creates a debate as there is logic and a large contingency on each side of the issue.

[mikeywilz]

I'll be on the side that agrees with you to change it. And yes the filter is key for holding contaminants that may do damage.

[TiAgX5]

My quote from post #20....... "Done at 100k miles with the Castrol Multi Import Syn., 155k miles now with thousands of miles towing a 6k lb trailer in the Fla and Tx heat (OBC outside temp has displayed over 120F in stop and go construction traffic numerous times, hardly trans lockup crusing miles), even towed a +7500 lb Scarab boat/trailer combo with 4 adults and luggage from north Westchester Co NY (HILLS) to south NJ in retarded July 4 weekend shore exodus traffic, 5.5 hr trip!!!!"

Mileage update from the info I input in #20 post of this thread. At 173k now and trans still work great. Will do another series of drain/fills with filter on the last soon.

[mferek]

I'm of the opinion that you should change it every 50-60k or not at all. My mechanic friend, who used to be an audi master mechanic, said that's the policy he uses.

[Whitecat]

Are we starting this dicussion again ??....here is i think everything you need from the best expert in this forum
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...2-4-4i-21.html

Personnaly i did it as at same mile of yours with no regrets...Reco: go to shop transmission specialist

Take care

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Whitecat

Are we starting this discussion again ??....

It never stopped. I just checked, and I have been posting on the topic of transmission fluid since 2005 on this forum alone. I tried to search how many posts there are about changing transmission fluid but the search results were capped at 500 items, which only goes back three years.

There is no new information.

[rogerkiu]

If your gear box works find, then it is not recommended to do anything to the fluid.

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by JCL

It never stopped. I just checked, and I have been posting on the topic of transmission fluid since 2005 on this forum alone. I tried to search how many posts there are about changing transmission fluid but the search results were capped at 500 items, which only goes back three years.

There is no new information.

I know,...thanks JCL to continue sharing all that knowledge

[srmmmm]

242,600 miles, including 7 years of PWC towing in Texas - no fluid changes, no issues.

2002 X5 3.0 Build Date 10/02 (GM transmission)

[Hoser]

This question can answered fairly easy-take a sample of your transmission fluid and have it analyzed. If you are one who believes a friction based mechanical device can go forever without service by changing the fluid, you should be playing poker. The manufacturer of the transmission respectfully refutes BMW claim of lifetime fluid-but what do they know?