[jamesf30n20]

Hey guys, I just wanted to see your opinions on weather or not I should change my transmission fluid, my car is at 92k miles now still running strong as hell, transmission is working fine, I've never changed my transmission fluid before, I know bmw advertises it as lifetime but nothing lasts forever. If I do a drain and fill with new oil at or before the 100k mark do you think it would slip. Is it not worth it? Or is it a good idea? Let e know what u guys think.

[Billfitz]

A change around 100k isn't a bad idea, but you should also change the filter, which means changing the pan.

[perryo91]

I'm changing my 8AT fluid soon. Currently at 56k miles and I was thinking during winter (Which starts at about december here in florida) I'll change it!!

[sspade]

I plan to change my fluids and pan/filter at 100k miles. Currently at 60k.

I think its a great idea if you plan to keep the car a few more years yet.

[jamesf30n20]

I guess I change it then and roll the dice.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by jamesf30n20

I guess I change it then and roll the dice.

Planning to DIY?

There's a great kit out there.

[D041987]

Here is things you need to do to keep your car past 100K:

Trans fluids should be done every 30K on Manuals and 60K MAX on Autos.
Diff fluid should be changed every 30K
Brake Fluid should be changed every 20k to 30K.
Engine oil should be done every 5K MAX!
Spark Plugs change every 60 to 80K
Antifreeze should be changed about every 60K.
Idler's/ pulleys/ tensioners should last about 100 to 120K. After that should be changed along with new serpentine belt.

Now before all you by the book of what BMW says followers. I DO NOT AGREE with anything what BMW says other than Brake Fluid change intervals. I am a mechanic and have seen what prolong use of fluids (following dealer maint plans) can do to parts of the car. I can tell you dealerships are not in the market to keep the car on the road longer than warranty and it is all cost savings and how they can get away with less money spent on maint of the car to just escape any major repairs when car is in their warranty period. After warranty ends they are off the hook and want you to pay those outrageous prices for parts if something breaks.

[perryo91]

Originally Posted by D041987

Here is things you need to do to keep your car past 100K:

Trans fluids should be done every 30K on Manuals and 60K MAX on Autos.
Diff fluid should be changed every 30K
Brake Fluid should be changed every 20k to 30K.
Engine oil should be done every 5K MAX!
Spark Plugs change every 60 to 80K
Antifreeze should be changed about every 60K.
Idler's/ pulleys/ tensioners should last about 100 to 120K. After that should be changed along with new serpentine belt.

Now before all you by the book of what BMW says followers. I DO NOT AGREE with anything what BMW says other than Brake Fluid change intervals. I am a mechanic and have seen what prolong use of fluids (following dealer maint plans) can do to parts of the car. I can tell you dealerships are not in the market to keep the car on the road longer than warranty and it is all cost savings and how they can get away with less money spent on maint of the car to just escape any major repairs when car is in their warranty period. After warranty ends they are off the hook and want you to pay those outrageous prices for parts if something breaks.

Those diff and trans fluid intervals are for a track car.... right? I cant see someone replacing a car's trans/diff fluid every 2-3 years...

[D041987]

Nope, normal maint. Fluids are cheap and takes like 1 to 2hrs max. Track cars usually replace after 2 to 3 races max.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by D041987

Here is things you need to do to keep your car past 100K:

Trans fluids should be done every 30K on Manuals and 60K MAX on Autos.
Diff fluid should be changed every 30K
Brake Fluid should be changed every 20k to 30K.
Engine oil should be done every 5K MAX!
Spark Plugs change every 60 to 80K
Antifreeze should be changed about every 60K.
Idler's/ pulleys/ tensioners should last about 100 to 120K. After that should be changed along with new serpentine belt.

Now before all you by the book of what BMW says followers. I DO NOT AGREE with anything what BMW says other than Brake Fluid change intervals. I am a mechanic and have seen what prolong use of fluids (following dealer maint plans) can do to parts of the car. I can tell you dealerships are not in the market to keep the car on the road longer than warranty and it is all cost savings and how they can get away with less money spent on maint of the car to just escape any major repairs when car is in their warranty period. After warranty ends they are off the hook and want you to pay those outrageous prices for parts if something breaks.

Have you personally done a flush and filter/pan swap on a ZF 8HP45 ?

Im at 60k and its on my list.

[D041987]

Yes, I have done quite a few. It's not very difficult but does get messy if you are doing it in a garage and don't have the larger pans to catch the oil. But other than that, it's pretty similar to a manual. Here is a great short video on the process.

[Skiddz]

Originally Posted by D041987

Yes, I have done quite a few. It's not very difficult but does get messy if you are doing it in a garage and don't have the larger pans to catch the oil. But other than that, it's pretty similar to a manual. Here is a great short video on the process.

Nice video - thanks. I’m curious though - how much fluid is drained and refilled from just the pan, and how much remains in the transmission, torque converter, etc?

[madmortar]

sub
someone should write up a DIY when they go to do it

[D041987]

Originally Posted by Skiddz

Nice video - thanks. I’m curious though - how much fluid is drained and refilled from just the pan, and how much remains in the transmission, torque converter, etc?

So with Automatics you will get out about 75%-80% of the fluids with a transmission pan drop and refill. There is no way to get it all out with one fill unfortunately. If you want you can drive it around with the flush for 500 miles or so and have the fluids mix and drain again to get the best flush you can but not worth it.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by D041987

So with Automatics you will get out about 75%-80% of the fluids with a transmission pan drop and refill. There is no way to get it all out with one fill unfortunately. If you want you can drive it around with the flush for 500 miles or so and have the fluids mix and drain again to get the best flush you can but not worth it.

When you get a moment, can you list off the basic steps you took to perform a flush and pan/filter change on a ZF 8HP45

[jamesf30n20]

Originally Posted by D041987

Here is things you need to do to keep your car past 100K:

Trans fluids should be done every 30K on Manuals and 60K MAX on Autos.
Diff fluid should be changed every 30K
Brake Fluid should be changed every 20k to 30K.
Engine oil should be done every 5K MAX!
Spark Plugs change every 60 to 80K
Antifreeze should be changed about every 60K.
Idler's/ pulleys/ tensioners should last about 100 to 120K. After that should be changed along with new serpentine belt.

Now before all you by the book of what BMW says followers. I DO NOT AGREE with anything what BMW says other than Brake Fluid change intervals. I am a mechanic and have seen what prolong use of fluids (following dealer maint plans) can do to parts of the car. I can tell you dealerships are not in the market to keep the car on the road longer than warranty and it is all cost savings and how they can get away with less money spent on maint of the car to just escape any major repairs when car is in their warranty period. After warranty ends they are off the hook and want you to pay those outrageous prices for parts if something breaks.

I'm at 91k miles without a tranny fluid drain and fill. Is it not worth doing, should I just ride out the tranny till it breaks then buy a new one?

[rjd_F30]

Originally Posted by jamesf30n20

I'm at 91k miles without a tranny fluid drain and fill. Is it not worth doing, should I just ride out the tranny till it breaks then buy a new one?

That would be a miserable idea. The transmission will last if you take care of it. Couple hundred (if that) dollar flush vs. couple thousand dollar transmission.

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by jamesf30n20

Hey guys, I just wanted to see your opinions on weather or not I should change my transmission fluid, my car is at 92k miles now still running strong as hell, transmission is working fine, I've never changed my transmission fluid before, I know bmw advertises it as lifetime but nothing lasts forever. If I do a drain and fill with new oil at or before the 100k mark do you think it would slip. Is it not worth it? Or is it a good idea? Let e know what u guys think.

Yes it is and I do mine every 30k
in the good ole days it was done even sooner
even ZF suggests every 50-60k

and the mechanic is right, stealerships have little incentive to keep your car in tip top shape

[D041987]

Basic steps are listed in the video I linked. Can't get much more detailed than that. Also as insancoder said ZF specifies themselves to change the fluid at 60K and that is what most trans manufacturers suggest as well.

As for JamesF30n20, Just do the flush! It's not going to hurt your trans and you will probably extended the life of it. Now if you have like 160K and never done it... might be a gamble.. haha.

ONLY USE ZF LifeGuard in the trans though... it's expensive but it's guaranteed to work as Auto's are very particular to oils. Manuals are easier and almost any good MT-90 will work.

[jamesf30n20]

Originally Posted by D041987

Basic steps are listed in the video I linked. Can't get much more detailed than that. Also as insancoder said ZF specifies themselves to change the fluid at 60K and that is what most trans manufacturers suggest as well.

As for JamesF30n20, Just do the flush! It's not going to hurt your trans and you will probably extended the life of it. Now if you have like 160K and never done it... might be a gamble.. haha.

ONLY USE ZF LifeGuard in the trans though... it's expensive but it's guaranteed to work.

Thanks

[Solidjake]

Haven't had a chance yet but it will be done in the next few k miles

I'm at 66k and will change MTF and diff fluids

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Haven't had a chance yet but it will be done in the next few k miles

I'm at 66k and will change MTF and diff fluids

Im almost at 61 and planning the same.

What will you use for rear end oil?

Any basic instructions that your following?