Let's talk Transmission Maintenance...

[Ozer]

FYI..
For anyone who wants to do this and wants a kit, i just got this ebay seller to drop his price down to $231.80. Check it out, i got one coming in the mail.

oem ZF Transmission Oil Pan Filter Kit & 6-Liter's ZF Lifeguard 6 Trans Fluid | eBay

[ard]

Originally Posted by Ozer

FYI..
For anyone who wants to do this and wants a kit, i just got this ebay seller to drop his price down to $231.80. Check it out, i got one coming in the mail.

oem ZF Transmission Oil Pan Filter Kit & 6-Liter's ZF Lifeguard 6 Trans Fluid | eBay

Good price.

Perfect example of the bastardization of the term "OEM"...

In this case it is used properly (IMO) ZF is the OEM for the original BMW OE item...this sale is for a ZF branded, OEM part.

Not a BMW branded OE part....

[Ozer]

^ yeah i agree, ebay sellers use "OEM" on almost every part to try to get more possible customers. This was the lowest price i have seen on genuine ZP parts so figured i let people know.

I know a guy at my local INDI who is going to charge me $100 labor to change all the drive line fluids at his house, side job. With parts and labor i should be looking at around $450 for transmission, transfer case and differentials. I will have him swap the diesel filter while he is down there as well and give him some extra.

Are magnetic drain plugs a good idea at this point? Im at 126k miles.

[Ozer]

Update:

I got 7L of fluid but it only took 5.5L like it was stated.
I had the guy from my local INDY do the work on the side. He replaced the fluids in both differentials, transfer case and transmission fluid and filter and he also reset the modules and adaptations after (he has the tool). He charged me $180 in labor and i spent $350 on parts so under $550 for all is a steal

Shifts so much better now and crisp. He said my fluids looked fine, nothing crazy. It has 126,550 on it and all original fluids.

[stichman]

Originally Posted by Lambeau

Here's my post when I did it in 2015...
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ml#post1029794

When you did the filter/fluid change on your X35D, did you change the fluid multiple times or a single time?

Thanks,
Stichman

[Westlotorn]

I have my car on jacks now and plan to change all fluids.

Many state the car must be level to do this job. I put a level on the trans blolts and leveled the tranny based on the trans bolts front to back side to side is this correct?
With the trans level the rear of my car is raised several inches higher than normal.
Should the Car be level as if on level ground or should the trans be level?
I want to verify before proceeding.
In my opinion if you measure what comes out with your drain and get that much back in you are good, running or not running for this job. I agree all are correct to drive it a while and repeat to get the torque converter oil cleaned up more.
The trans pan cover/plastic sits at an angle.
Thanks to all for posting, it helps when approaching an unkown.
BTW: I purchased the FORD Mercon SP Automatic Trans fluid which is used in the same tranny our BMW runs but in Ford applications. Same Tranny=same fluid. BMW ZF
10 Qts Mercon SP $80 shipped to my door. But run what you wish as it is your car and your dime if it breaks.

[ard]

Hmmm...

ZF and BMW both just waste an extra $50 per transmission on ZF6 for their new cars.... all in some great conspiracy to extra more from the transmission fluid refill market?

Is it possible the WAY the ZF trans is operated in a BMW application- shifting speeds, clutch engagement, etc- is different than Furd?? Such that the same fluid isnt needed?

The jury is out on the question 'Is Mercon SP is identical in all aspects to Lifeguard6'. Yes, they meet the same specs. But same friction modifiers? Additives? stabilizers? and all OK to mix with ZF6 50/50?

Could be- but just not worth @100-200 every 60k for me to be a guinea pig.

I will admit the last part is correct;

Originally Posted by Westlotorn

But run what you wish as it is your car and your dime if it breaks.

PS I just made the car level by raising fore and aft the same amount- didnt level the trans per se.

[Westlotorn]

Anything is possible but the ZF tranny in a Ford works just fine on Mercon SP. I may have more confidence than most since my son did the same install on his X5 2 years ago and with another 30K on his for a total of 175K now his is shifting like new.
Mine has always shifted great except when I had oil leaks affecting the air seal on the engine at about 90K, I'm now at 104K miles not kilo's.
Several indicate they spill a lot out the fill hole when they drain the oil.
To avoid the extra energy filling the tranny maybe the front could be lowered till the spill level is right at the spill point while full allowing us to fill to that point on the refill.
I think I may try that. You might also note that may be the same point where the pan bolts are level not where the car is level. I will report back.

[ard]

Good datum

On a lift spilling is less of an issue...PITA is when you are on your back, pumping fluid, looking for 'a thin stream' and trying to monitor temps....

(Folsom just down the hill from me. )

[seattle]

I highly recommend a set of ramps rather than messing with jacks and stands.
$40 for a pair at walmart or home depot.
They leave enough room to work under vehicle for an average-sized human.