Let's talk Transmission Maintenance...

[ShantF1]

They saw that my car had 75k on it and they recommend it.... My car had a warranty until 100k, so they performed the service. After that I took it to an independent service and they said that the trans fluids for BMW and Mercedes are the same and do not have to be changed until about 150-200k miles

[autoque]

Originally Posted by ShantF1

they said that the trans fluids for BMW and Mercedes are the same and do not have to be changed until about 150-200k miles

But what people here are saying is to leave the ATF alone if it's not changed until such long mileage.

Also I think they are saying if an owner plans to change the ATF, then do it as early and frequently as possible.

[lordshin808]

Just wanted to share my experiences with BMW auto transmission.

My last car 2000 E46 328ci (purchased at 29,000 miles) lost reverse at 165,000 miles, original fluid. I paid $1400 to have it repaired at an independent shop. Sold the car at 185,000 miles.

My brother's 2000 E46 323ci currently have 185,000 miles on the original fluid. No problems so far.

Another brother's 2002 E46 330ci, 132,000 miles on the original fluid. No problems so far.

My current BMW E70 4.8i have 68,000 miles. I'm not planning to do any transmission fluid service on it.

[Davidf]

Do it! Drain the fluid, replace the plug and start/run the engine for a few seconds. This will pump more fluid out of the clutch packs and torque converter...it wont hurt anything as there is plenty of residual oil to keep part lubricated. Use a suitable fluid such as Mercon SP, Pentosin ATF-1, or the OE ZF fluid. Personally, I choose the Mercon SP fluid as it was developed by Motorcraft/Ford specifically for the ZF6HP26 transmission as manufactured by Ford under license from ZF. Future change intervals should be 60k miles unless you use the OE fluid (then you can go longer). Don't let anyone scare you about crud being dislodged and blocking passages. Just do it. At 126k miles, I would be inclined to drop the valve body, replace the Mechatronic sleeve, install a Zip Kit, and replace the solenoids. Shift quality will be improved or future issue will be pushed way back.

[1mGator]

Thanks David, I intent to get to it this week and I will look into what is involved with valve body, etc. car shifts great now!

Originally Posted by Davidf

Do it! Drain the fluid, replace the plug and start/run the engine for a few seconds. This will pump more fluid out of the clutch packs and torque converter...it wont hurt anything as there is plenty of residual oil to keep part lubricated. Use a suitable fluid such as Mercon SP, Pentosin ATF-1, or the OE ZF fluid. Personally, I choose the Mercon SP fluid as it was developed by Motorcraft/Ford specifically for the ZF6HP26 transmission as manufactured by Ford under license from ZF. Future change intervals should be 60k miles unless you use the OE fluid (then you can go longer). Don't let anyone scare you about crud being dislodged and blocking passages. Just do it. At 126k miles, I would be inclined to drop the valve body, replace the Mechatronic sleeve, install a Zip Kit, and replace the solenoids. Shift quality will be improved or future issue will be pushed way back.

[Lambeau]

I will relate personal experience and real-world results vs. expressing an opinion that our transmissions will be destroyed by a fluid/filter change.

I performed a filter & fluid change on my 2011 35d with 100,000 miles and I bought the pan/filter off of Ebay and the pentosin fluid at a local auto parts store. There is no evidence of any transmission service being performed previously based on the 1-owner maintenance records from his dealership. I bought it at 90,000 miles. After the fluid/filter change I also performed a DPF/EGR delete with ECU reflash done as per my other posts.

Within 1 month of all of this in June 2015 I pulled my 5000# utility trailer from Florida to Alaska and returned with no issues. I now have 133,000 miles on the X and have never had a transmission issue. I have also pulled my M6 from Mississippi to Wisconsin on a trailer dolly. I have definitely stressed the transmission in the last 33,000 miles and it's going as strong as ever after the fluid/filter change.

I will change the fluid again at 150,000 miles and the filter/fluid at 200,000.

[1mGator]

Originally Posted by 1mGator

Thanks David, I intent to get to it this week and I will look into what is involved with valve body, etc. car shifts great now!

Ok, finally attacked this today. Pretty straight forward and since I don't have an infrared thermometer I measured and identified that I drained 5.8 quarts and that's what I put back in with fresh redline. Running smooth. Thank you to everyone who contributes on this forum!

[Aquamania]

When I bought my X5, it had 74,000 miles on it. As a precaution that I do with ALL cars I buy used, I changed the oil and tranny fluids. I also put on a new tranny pan and filter. I am going in tomorrow to have the diff's done front and rear. I do NOT believe in "Lifetime Fluids". Good preventive maintenance will keep your vehicle on the road longer!!! I keep my cars for a long time and I planning on keeping this one until 300,000 miles. I hope...

[Aquamania]

Originally Posted by Aquamania

When I bought my X5, it had 74,000 miles on it. As a precaution that I do with ALL cars I buy used, I changed the oil and tranny fluids. I also put on a new tranny pan and filter. I am going in tomorrow to have the diff's done front and rear. I do NOT believe in "Lifetime Fluids". Good preventive maintenance will keep your vehicle on the road longer!!! I keep my cars for a long time and I planning on keeping this one until 300,000 miles. I hope...

Well just to add on here, my transmission is still going strong. No issues. ZF pan with Pentosin ATF-1 fluids. I will change this again in another 20,000 miles.

[jdsilvaca]

I have a 2002 X5 3.0 with the "lovely" GM transmission, that was made in France. My X5 has just a bit over 200K miles. Reverse barely works, and top gear is gone. I changed my fluid every 50,000 miles. Factory oil and filter. I thought it might be the TCC solenoid, I bought a new one, and the plastic clip holding it in broke. The tab part that locks it into place broke. I put it in anyway, and upon start it up, it fully engaged into reverse, for a about 2 seconds. Thought I had the answer, and possibly did, if the clip hadn't broke. will never know for sure. I picked up a used transmission with about 75K miles on it. By the way, I couldn't find a new clip/plug. BMW had the entire transmission harness available for around $250.00. Not sure why BMW used a GM tranny in this vehicle. It's only in the X5's with the 3.0 and a few odd ball GM cars. I should have bought an X5 with the rare manual transmission. Other than that, the car has been great. Yeah, all the window regulators broke, the radio pixels strip is gone, but I was planning on putting in a new stereo. Has anyone found a good transmission shop in Southern California ?