Poll on Transmission Flush at High Miles
 

I haven't seen any poll data on this, just in many posts. So lets assume the following

1. X has over 80K miles
2. Original Transmission with no rebuild
3. Never had fluids changed before
4. ZF transmissions only for this poll, we can do another for the 3.0
5. You can select more than one option on the poll as well

Lets see how many have had fluid changes that negatively affected the vehicle ?

Do-not-touch that ZF transmissions!

I think thats BS to be honest. I had so many down hard shift issues and rough driving feeling with my 01 X5 4.4i, with 120k. I had a friends X with the same, after he had his tranny completely rebuilt his car runs like new, so far its been about 4 months and he drives back and forth to work everyday.

Thats why i cannot stand how people keep telling others not to rebuilt there tranny if they are having issues with it. I feel like people just had bad rebuild jobs done to there tranny and it just messed up on them...

I could be wrong, but I think he was referring to fluid flushes, not rebuilding if there is an issue.

I have about 106k on my 02 4.4 and will not do a flush at this point.

I drain my fluid at 180,000 miles and re-filled with Royal Purple. 83,000 miles later still running like a champ. Go figure.

I stand correct.... i was referring about the fluid flushes... because the OP ask about fluid change/flush not rebuilt.

I think this could get interesting. I am curious to see how much of the "tranny will fail if you change fluids" statement is true or urban legend????

I apologies, I didn't mean to seem like I am going against you or something personal at all :)

Sorry! =D

Urban legend? I beg to differ. One of the challenges with reading discussion boards, which are full of great information, is discerning the quality of that information. Technicians, mechanics, and other experts or professionals in the business write in just about the same way as those who have never overhauled a transmission but who have a strong opinion. You have to figure out who to listen to. Why not check and see what various BMW techs (Weasel, killcrap), other professional techs (The Cleaner), and some others on this board with experience in the industry say?

An X5 Outpost thread worth reading on transmission fluid changes

Another X5 Outpost thread on transmission fluid changes

For the record, I don't think it is fair to say that transmissions will fail if you change the fluid. Obviously that is not true, as most don't fail. However, I think it is fair to say that changing the fluid increases the chance of transmission failure. A better poll question would be: "If your transmission failed, have you ever changed the fluid?" Instead, the poll focuses on fluid change practices, and includes all those who haven't had a failed transmission. For that reason, the poll has limited statistical value.

This is a problem (or at lease a perceived and debated problem) with the W163 ML's as well. Mercedes recalled their "sealed for life" transmission procedure and started recommending tranny fluid changes circa 2002.