Transmission fluid drain or not? Dealer say its lifetime

[bc05x5]

Got a 05 x5 4.4 with aprox 120000km or 70000 miles.
Just got this s week ago called around about servicing. All the dealers I called said the tranny fluid is lifetime and they don't touch. A few said they change the fluid in the front and rear difs but leave the tranny.

Indie shops I called also said same thing and omfew said it might cause more damage as new fluid might cause issues as it will lossen and stir crap around.

I've had my share of transmission issues in past on vws and Hondas. And yea one did go right after I did a flush at high Kms. So I stick to drain and fill. And usually don't touch them if they at around 200000km and never been done b4.

But for this one What u guys think or know about this?

[Giznaz]

The standard answer you will get is lifetime fill. That is the correct answer, however. . .

I have a 2004, with 109K miles. I just changed my trans fluid. It's technical, but not terribly difficult.

I got the kit from these folks, they also have considerable literature on the ZF gears.

California Transmission Supply

[JCL]

I wouldn't do it if it was my own.

Dealers and Indys are correct that changing it can cause problems that weren't evidenced prior to changing it. ATF has high levels of detergents (since it is designed to last so long). Putting in new fluid with those strong detergents can loosen up deposits that weren't otherwise hurting anything and cause problems in the valve body. Usually shows up as shifting or actuator issues post change. They don't want the liability (owners figure the dealer must have done something wrong when it happens) so they avoid the whole risk issue by declining the work. This is in no way a BMW issue, it applies to lots of brands.

You can change it if you like. Apart from the "clean fluid is good" mantra, there isn't any data to suggest that changing the fluid will extend the life of the transmission. These transmissions don't last as long as many people would like, but failures can be caused by things that have nothing to do with fluid quality.

[e30mpower]

Do it. Before you get many more miles on it. That's when you're screwed, because typically by 100k your car has adapted to the sludge and changing fluid will only speed failure. I had mine done at 100k bc I stupidly fell for that "lifetime fill" propaganda BMW puts out, and I was getting lots of Trans Fail Safe messages, although the tranny wasnt in "real" fail-safe. I had then replace my fluid at 100, and 4k later my shifts are much improved and it doesn't hold on to second for so long.

[TwinTurboGTR]

I agree with JCL. I was a proponent on changing fluid. I mean every fluid. Every car I have owned, I did the tranny change. But things are different now. With the fluid not being cheap and needing specific dynamics to be in play, i just don't see the gain. I'd rather save the money, put it in an ETF or hedge it and the money I make, I'll buy a new tranny. It is just the law of averages. There are a few people on here with over 200K, hell I know of one 315K 4.4 with auto tranny, original fluid.

And then I know some with 40K and their trannys blew. It all depends.

[mb-X5]

I think you should change it. I agree that it won't necessarily prevent a transmission failure, but the cost isn't that much if you do it yourself, and it gives you a little peace of mind.

I have an '05 4.4i just like you. My manual says that the transmission fluid should be changed at 100,000 miles, not lifetime. I just changed my filter and gasket, filled it, and drained and refilled it again. With BMW ATF. It wasn't a complete fluid change, but it seems to shift more smoothly. Not that it was having transmission problems before.

It's your call and it probably doesn't make a big difference either way. I'm for fresh fluids, changed regularly. The ATF may last forever, but for my ride I want all fluids to be as close to original spec as possible. If the tranny dies anyway that's just my bad luck. At least it wasn't due to old transmission fluid.

[cncmastr]

Change it! Lifetime is lifetime of the transmission. That could be 100K miles or 101K miles. It's not your lifetime, or the reasonable lifetime of the truck. My advise goes for all fluids too btw.

[bc05x5]

Btw guys it's at 120000 km thats around 70000 miles for u guys in USA

[1stE53]

I've got 110k miles on my 03 and no fluid change. I will not change it now that I've gotten this far

[SlickGT1]

Change it. Fixed my lurch issue. Huge difference. I was skeptical at first. 6k miles later, no lurch. I plan on doing another drain and fill when it gets cold out. I did it at around 76k miles. Just use original BMW fluid and filter.