Should I replace my tranny fluid?

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by asma123

UPDATE:
I went ahead and replaced the transmission fluid. Damn this fluid was pretty expensive BUT
It has resolved the issue I was having (minor slipping/jerking)

Vehicle shifts a lot more smoother now. It's been a week since I changed it and I can say is that it deff changed the way the car performs. Light pressing on the accelerator downshifts the tranny smoothly now and the car goes.
No issues so far *knock on wood*
The guy knew what he was doing. (confirmed my research without him researching it)
He said the fluid was slightly darker but it wasn't in bad shape.

He said he replaced the fluid with original fluid which is supposed to be clear, along with the filter and gasket of course.

At 100k miles when I did the service on mine, the fluid wasn't too bad either and there was very little metal powder on the magnets. I found the transmission to be better then new also after changing the fluid / filter

[kevinkay]

I changed mine at 160k miles.
Did I think it needed it - no
Do i regret changing it - no

Ok, so even if the fluid is lifetime, have some pity on the filter

[Goaltender46]

I'll put my vote in for a fluid change. I have changed fluid on two SUVs with high mileage (a ford expediton and explorer) both with over 200k miles. The fluid change helped the shifting on both trucks with no adverse affects. I currently drive an X5 with a manual trans but I would not hesitate to change fluid on a BMW. FYI the Explorer had a "lifetime fluid fill" same as BMWs

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by Goaltender46

I'll put my vote in for a fluid change. I have changed fluid on two SUVs with high mileage (a ford expediton and explorer) both with over 200k miles. The fluid change helped the shifting on both trucks with no adverse affects. I currently drive an X5 with a manual trans but I would not hesitate to change fluid on a BMW. FYI the Explorer had a "lifetime fluid fill" same as BMWs

That is because ford used ZF automatic transmissions, just filled em with the fluid that is cost effective over here in the states instead of the lifefluid scam

[srmmmm]

As of this morning: 262,376 miles on the original fluid....

Routine service every 50,000 miles (as several posters do) would have cost an approximate total of $2000 by now. A remanufactured GM 5L40E with a 3 year warranty is $2400, so my breakeven will come at about 350,000 miles considering install labor-stay tuned!

2002 X5 3.0
2004 325i 116,000 miles

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

As of this morning: 262,376 miles on the original fluid....

Routine service every 50,000 miles (as several posters do) would have cost an approximate total of $2000 by now. A remanufactured GM 5L40E with a 3 year warranty is $2400, so my breakeven will come at about 350,000 miles considering install labor-stay tuned!

2002 X5 3.0
2004 325i 116,000 miles

that's why I do my own maint. to change the filter, gasket, sleeve and fluid only cost me less then $100

[StephenVA]

+1

[srmmmm]

Originally Posted by BigBlack48is

that's why I do my own maint. to change the filter, gasket, sleeve and fluid only cost me less then $100

Are you using the ZF Lifetime fluid? What are you paying per liter?

2002 X5 3.0 262,500 miles
2004 325i 116,000 miles

[BigBlack48is]

Originally Posted by srmmmm

Are you using the ZF Lifetime fluid? What are you paying per liter?

2002 X5 3.0 262,500 miles
2004 325i 116,000 miles

Heeeellllll no.... Lifefluid is a total waste of $$$

I used RL D4 and have put over 20k miles on it with absolutely no problems!

and let me state the facts... RL D4 is not the only choice for our transmissions

[Kristophe]

Originally Posted by kevinkay

I changed mine at 160k miles.
Did I think it needed it - no
Do i regret changing it - no

Ok, so even if the fluid is lifetime, have some pity on the filter

Despite transmission fluid basically being a low weight hydraulic fluid the operation can be fatally compromised with a different spec i.e. if someone used Type F in a GM transmissions they would obviously have regrets. Or even using DEX III in a post 2006 GM tranny would cause damage. The fluid alone can make or break a transmission. That being said I can see how fluid could in many circumstances lose its spec due to towing, heavy stop and go traffic, or even the heat from a water pump failure. A fluid change even at 160K would help better insure the fluid continues to stays in correct spec long term.