[Daftasabrush]

I noticed that on a technical data sheet for the transmission in the 335i AH specifies a 60KM / 32mi oil service interval so sent ZF technical an email enquiring about the interval for the 8HP50 and their response:

The service interval is the same

Could potentially be some 340is getting close to that already so worth knowing. I don't understand how BMW get away with stating its a 'lifetime fill'.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

...
I don't understand how BMW get away with stating its a 'lifetime fill'.

BMW hasn't been saying "lifetime" for many years. Now they say "long-term".

Regardless, change it at 60K mile intervals. It's kind of pricey - $700-$800, due mostly to the cost of the oil.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

BMW hasn't been saying "lifetime" for many years. Now they say "long-term".

Regardless, change it at 60K mile intervals. It's kind of pricey - $700-$800, due mostly to the cost of the oil.

I've not seen 'long term', only lifetime, where have you seen 'long term'?

Regardless, I wouldn't see 32K miles as 'long term' when, in Europe, the factory engine oil service interval is 30K miles.

[graphite]

The AH3 requires the oil service much more often because the torque converter is replaced by an electric motor for the hybrid system. The motor generates a lot of heat which can cause the fluid to degrade at a more rapid rate.

I'd change it every 60,000 miles or so for the gas version, and stick to the books for the hybrid.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by graphite

The AH3 requires the oil service much more often because the torque converter is replaced by an electric motor for the hybrid system. The motor generates a lot of heat which can cause the fluid to degrade at a more rapid rate.

I'd change it every 60,000 miles or so for the gas version, and stick to the books for the hybrid.

According to ZF, the AH3 requires the same servicing as the standard 8 spd transmissions. Nothing special about the AH3's transmission as far as ZF is concerned.

[bavarianride]

The ZF website has info of the factory oil change kits, and it says change interval is between 80000 and 120000 km, or 50k to 75k miles, on 5HP and 6HP. There is no kit for 8HP(yet).

Having said that, the local trusted indy looked up my VIN and said BMW suggested transmission fluid change every 100k miles.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

I've not seen 'long term', only lifetime, where have you seen 'long term'?

Maintenance and warranty booklet, p.7 (2014):
"– Excluding the ActiveHybrid models, the
automatic and manual transmissions, and the
all-wheel drive transfer cases installed in BMW
vehicles are factory filled with long-term rated
fluids. The transmission long-term rated fluid
does not need to be changed except when
necessary during repairs to the transmission.
The transfer case long-term rated fluid does
not need to be changed except when indicated
by the vehicle or when necessary"

[CruzM3]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Maintenance and warranty booklet, p.7 (2014):
"– Excluding the ActiveHybrid models, the
automatic and manual transmissions, and the
all-wheel drive transfer cases installed in BMW
vehicles are factory filled with long-term rated
fluids. The transmission long-term rated fluid
does not need to be changed except when
necessary during repairs to the transmission.
The transfer case long-term rated fluid does
not need to be changed except when indicated
by the vehicle or when necessary"

This still indicates that it doesn't need to be changed.

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

I've not seen 'long term', only lifetime, where have you seen 'long term'?

Regardless, I wouldn't see 32K miles as 'long term' when, in Europe, the factory engine oil service interval is 30K miles.

30K miles? really? you have to be exaggerating.. I guess you guys in Europe get a whopping 1 oil change with your free maintenance

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

30K miles? really? you have to be exaggerating.. I guess you guys in Europe get a whopping 1 oil change with your free maintenance

No joke, and we don't get free maintenance either.

[CruzM3]

Free maintenance is a BMW of NA thing only.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Maintenance and warranty booklet, p.7 (2014):
"– Excluding the ActiveHybrid models, the
automatic and manual transmissions, and the
all-wheel drive transfer cases installed in BMW
vehicles are factory filled with long-term rated
fluids. The transmission long-term rated fluid
does not need to be changed except when
necessary during repairs to the transmission.
The transfer case long-term rated fluid does
not need to be changed except when indicated
by the vehicle or when necessary"

That's what the SA said too on transmission fluid. Plus the engine coolant also does not have change interval, it only needs changing during repairs, e.g. the recent thermostat recall includes new coolant.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

According to ZF, the AH3 requires the same servicing as the standard 8 spd transmissions. Nothing special about the AH3's transmission as far as ZF is concerned.

The service mileage you were given for the standard box seems way too low. Was there any reason(s) given for why they see the 8-speed requiring such frequent oil services? It is a massive reduction, compared to the 6-speed oil service recommendation.

[stormlv]

I've also contacted ZF for my specific transmission (8HP70) and they recommend servicing it between 80k-120k KM (50k-75k miles) depending on the usage.

Lifetime fill my a$$

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The service mileage you were given for the standard box seems way too low. Was there any reason(s) given for why they see the 8-speed requiring such frequent oil services? It is a massive reduction, compared to the 6-speed oil service recommendation.

I wrote:

Hi there, I note the 8P70H transmission has an oil service interval of 60K KM, please can you tell me the oil service interval for the 8HP50? Many thanks

They replied:

Hello,

The service interval is the same

[floydarogers]

Upon re-reading the thread, I noticed that I didn't provide a rationale for my 60K mile recommendation. Mike Miller (of Roundel) still recommends that. I also believe that 100K is too long - even given the fact that I don't believe in the "if you wait too long you should never change it as it will kill it" rationale.
At the cost - fluid is like $40/quart! - 30K seems unreasonable.

Not that my opinion matters too much, but there is my rationale. YMMV.

[Vegetable]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

No joke, and we don't get free maintenance either.

well I'd forgive the no free maintenance if I could get a 340i F31. Consider yourself lucky.

[poutima]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

30K miles? really? you have to be exaggerating.. I guess you guys in Europe get a whopping 1 oil change with your free maintenance

In Finland engineoil is changed every 30 000 km not 30 000 miles. I'm changing mine every 15 000 km

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by poutima

In Finland engineoil is changed every 30 000 km not 30 000 miles. I'm changing mine every 15 000 km

You're quite right, I was going on the Top Gear website which is clearly wrong!

http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/b...step-auto/spec

Decoding the VIN on my car gives 30K KM or 24 months.

[Neroht]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

30K miles? really? you have to be exaggerating.. I guess you guys in Europe get a whopping 1 oil change with your free maintenance

It´s 30000 km or 2 year change....upp to 80000km..engine oil will say..not gearbox

[insanecoder]

Uh we r talkin' transmission oil here right?
Cause no way engine oil is not gettin' changed every 8000 miles or so
My nostalgia has me itchin to change every 3000 miles like folks used to .. but I got over that.
Oh yea and the tranny is getting oil before 75,000 as well.
I buy to own.. oil is cheaper than engine work

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by insanecoder

Uh we r talkin' transmission oil here right?
Cause no way engine oil is not gettin' changed every 8000 miles or so
My nostalgia has me itchin to change every 3000 miles like folks used to .. but I got over that.
Oh yea and the tranny is getting oil before 75,000 as well.
I buy to own.. oil is cheaper than engine work

To clarify, according to BMW:

European engines get their oil changed at 30K KM
European transmissions don't get their oil changed.

According to ZF, the 8HP50 needs oil changes at 60K KM