N63 Transmission, TC, and Diff Fluid change

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by blackhatal

Hello everybody,

I have a 2012 X5 50i that's close to 100K miles and has never had the transmission, transfer case, and differential fluids changed. I've searched for some DIY's but all of them seem to be for the 35d or 35i models. I know the diesel used the 6HP transmission and the 35i has the 8HP, but is it the same version of 8HP (mechanically) as the one in the 50i? Are there any substantial differences in parts or labor between these? A local indy that specializes in BMWs quoted me $400 for TC fluid change and adaption and close to $1000 for transmission fluid change. He also said diff fluid changes are not necessary...
So I'm thinking I could DIY this.

I have done it a few times on my 2012 50i, (144,000 miles) it can be super easy or a real pain in the ass, it all depends on what tools you have. Do it with just a ratchet, car jacks, and one of those cheap hand pumps and it sucks. Buy yourself four car ramps, proper transmission filling pump, and electric ratchet and its super easy. You can get away without resetting the adaptations but it is reccomended and for that you will need a proper scanner with BMW software like the Foxwell 510 or the bimmergeeks ProTool app and OB2 adapter. You will spend around 280 dollars for the pan/filter & oil kit. If you want to do it right, add another 300 dollars in tools that will serve you well for many years to come if you dont have car ramps, electric ratchet, tranny fill pump, torque wrench, etc. You will use these same tools for the CT and diffs. All in all you can do Everything (Transmission, both Diffs, and CT for around 700 dollars including all tools, oils, parts. If you are serious about doing it yourself respond back and I will break it down for ya

[blackhatal]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

I have done it a few times on my 2012 50i, (144,000 miles) it can be super easy or a real pain in the ass, it all depends on what tools you have. Do it with just a ratchet, car jacks, and one of those cheap hand pumps and it sucks. Buy yourself four car ramps, proper transmission filling pump, and electric ratchet and its super easy. You can get away without resetting the adaptations but it is reccomended and for that you will need a proper scanner with BMW software like the Foxwell 510 or the bimmergeeks ProTool app and OB2 adapter. You will spend around 280 dollars for the pan/filter & oil kit. If you want to do it right, add another 300 dollars in tools that will serve you well for many years to come if you dont have car ramps, electric ratchet, tranny fill pump, torque wrench, etc. You will use these same tools for the CT and diffs. All in all you can do Everything (Transmission, both Diffs, and CT for around 700 dollars including all tools, oils, parts. If you are serious about doing it yourself respond back and I will break it down for ya

Thanks for the info! I found a transmission fluid change kit with all the parts on turnermotorsports for $289 and free shipping. Called a different indy and they said they could do transmission service and tc flush for 1 hour labor each, which is much better than the first place I called. I am sure I could have done this myself but don't have access to my old garage and tools while I live in Chicago downtown for the next year.

The car started developing a slight shudder on mild throttle in full lock turns. No errors or warning lights (haven't scanned it though). There seems to be some disagreement in the community over whether that means the tc needs to be replaced or whether a fluid change can save it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that in my case it'll be the latter.

I'll take the car in for the service next Wednesday and report back with the findings here. I know many others have posted about doing this but I think more data points will be useful.

[ard]

Originally Posted by blackhatal

Thanks for the info! I found a transmission fluid change kit with all the parts on turnermotorsports for $289 and free shipping. Called a different indy and they said they could do transmission service and tc flush for 1 hour labor each, which is much better than the first place I called. I am sure I could have done this myself but don't have access to my old garage and tools while I live in Chicago downtown for the next year.

The car started developing a slight shudder on mild throttle in full lock turns. No errors or warning lights (haven't scanned it though). There seems to be some disagreement in the community over whether that means the tc needs to be replaced or whether a fluid change can save it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that in my case it'll be the latter.

I'll take the car in for the service next Wednesday and report back with the findings here. I know many others have posted about doing this but I think more data points will be useful.

That kit does not include the correct ZF6 fluid.


1 hr labor?! Good luck.


I see a cluster.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by ard

That kit does not include the correct ZF6 fluid.


1 hr labor?! Good luck.


I see a cluster.

Ravenol is good stuff and he has the 50i so he has the ZF8HP70 8 speed transmission.

1 hour labor is a bit light though I agree but doable if they have done ZF8HP's before.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Ravenol is good stuff and he has the 50i so he has the ZF8HP70 8 speed transmission.

1 hour labor is a bit light though I agree but doable if they have done ZF8HP's before.

Its all 'good stuff'. Still shouldn't mix fluids. IMO being a cheerleader for half assed work isnt a great attribute.


1 hr to toss the car on a trans flush machine is 'doable'. Did OP have a detailed "drop the pan, change the ban, reinstall, fill, bring to temp, MEASURE temp, top off" conversation?


Well OP...did you?




Finally, its amazing how people see the ATF maintenance god only after they have shift issues...you wonder where the "ATF fluid change causes tranny issues' old wives tale came about




My bad on the ZF8 vs ZF6 oversight...thx

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by ard

Its all 'good stuff'. Still shouldn't mix fluids. IMO being a cheerleader for half assed work isnt a great attribute.

1 hr to toss the car on a trans flush machine is 'doable'. Did OP have a detailed "drop the pan, change the ban, reinstall, fill, bring to temp, MEASURE temp, top off" conversation?
Well OP...did you?
Finally, its amazing how people see the ATF maintenance god only after they have shift issues...you wonder where the "ATF fluid change causes tranny issues' old wives tale came about
My bad on the ZF8 vs ZF6 oversight...thx

Whoa easy there buddy, not sure whats up with the attitude but nothing "half-assed" about using Ravenol.

It meets and exceeds ZF's specs, it is not "mixing fluids" You know what is half-assed though? Not doing your homework and Telling him to to get the wrong damn fluid, had he listed to you he would have put in ZF6 fluid and smoked his transmission.

The fault is not with people but with BMW's jerk move of telling everyone the transmission fluid is "lifetime". ZF themselves tell you around 70-80K to change it. People of course dont know that and are just following BMW's crap advise which is nothing more then a marketing move.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Whoa easy there buddy, not sure whats up with the attitude but nothing "half-assed" about using Ravenol.

It meets and exceeds ZF's specs, it is not "mixing fluids" You know what is half-assed though? Not doing your homework and Telling him to to get the wrong damn fluid, had he listed to you he would have put in ZF6 fluid and smoked his transmission.

The fault is not with people but with BMW's jerk move of telling everyone the transmission fluid is "lifetime". ZF themselves tell you around 70-80K to change it. People of course dont know that and are just following BMW's crap advise which is nothing more then a marketing move.

Ravenol?


First, coulda sworn OP was referencing a "Vaico" ATF. Seems one of the never ending "its german so must be good for German Car" products we see. Is Vaico= Ravenol? Or is the turner item I was finding for 289 different?


https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...rvice-kit-8hp/





But importantly, we dont have zf6 nor zf8 complete specs, so how do you know that ravenol 'meets or exceeds'? Every tom dick and harry claims their ATF 'meets or exceeds'....but zf doesnt publish complete specs.....then you have the folks that think since ZF6 meets a Shell spec that any other ATF that meets that Shell spec therefore means it is equivalent to ZF6. (People that need to go back to 5th grade and study there Venn diagrams and word logic...) Yes, there are a TON of vendors and sites that claim fluids "meet the ZF spec". Doesnt make it true.



You want to mix fluids, go for it. It isnt a best practice. Simple as that. People do it. People run all sorts of fluids. Doesnt make it right.



FWIW: BMW stopped with the 'lifetime' claim on the x5 a few years ago. now 100k



Finally (robnitro) I did a 2x drain fill- but didnt wait a month in between, only a drive cycle to get it hot. why a month? Oh, on BITOG there does seem to be some scientific evidence around mercon and its equivalence... i havent spent the time researching, ZF fluid is cheap enough that it isnt worth it.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by blackhatal

Thanks for the info! I found a transmission fluid change kit with all the parts on turnermotorsports for $289 and free shipping. Called a different indy and they said they could do transmission service and tc flush for 1 hour labor each, which is much better than the first place I called. I am sure I could have done this myself but don't have access to my old garage and tools while I live in Chicago downtown for the next year.

The car started developing a slight shudder on mild throttle in full lock turns. No errors or warning lights (haven't scanned it though). There seems to be some disagreement in the community over whether that means the tc needs to be replaced or whether a fluid change can save it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that in my case it'll be the latter.

I'll take the car in for the service next Wednesday and report back with the findings here. I know many others have posted about doing this but I think more data points will be useful.

Could also be the plastic gear in the TC that always fails, not to bad to replace. It wont trigger OB2 codes but it will trigger BMW specific codes that readers like the Foxwell 510 and 520 can pickup with the BMW software loaded or the Protools app & adapter.

Make sure they reset your adaptations in both your tranny and TC. Put them on the spot and ask if they know the re-learn procedure for the ZF8HP transmission. (its pretty easy, 25% throttle let transmission shift through all gears, then coast down through all gears, repeat min 6 times, then repeat in manual mode 6 times. You need a long stretch of road with little traffic to do right. It will relearn if you dont have that type of road but will take longer.

[blackhatal]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

Could also be the plastic gear in the TC that always fails, not to bad to replace. It wont trigger OB2 codes but it will trigger BMW specific codes that readers like the Foxwell 510 and 520 can pickup with the BMW software loaded or the Protools app & adapter.

Make sure they reset your adaptations in both your tranny and TC. Put them on the spot and ask if they know the re-learn procedure for the ZF8HP transmission. (its pretty easy, 25% throttle let transmission shift through all gears, then coast down through all gears, repeat min 6 times, then repeat in manual mode 6 times. You need a long stretch of road with little traffic to do right. It will relearn if you dont have that type of road but will take longer.

Thanks for the tips! Didn't know about that procedure for the transmission. Thought it was all done through the computer.

How much oil does the TC take? I bought one qt of this BMW TC oil. Hope that'll be enough. Taking the car to the shop on Wednesday. Will let you know how it goes.

[BMTouring]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

transmission filling pump,

what pump can you recommend?