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      11-29-2019, 09:05 PM   #177
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ISTA not necessary if you have access to an OBD reader. I plugged a SnapOn reader in and found trans fluid temperatures.
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      02-26-2020, 09:00 PM   #178
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Do it absolutely on faster cars or mapping

YES! ABSOLUTELY! And frequency relative to your respective car model and mapping.

My car crossed 100,500kms a few weeks ago, and was bored trying to figure out what I should maintain. Still got warranty until April! Rod Bearings at 160,000 kms? What about Transmission or diff fluid? It seemed OK to me, have also traveled 1.5 years since 2014, thus lost touch with my car a few times. Cold starts sometimes, maybe a slight 1-2 gear hesitation, none in sports +. Noticed a difference vs newer 340i I test drove but thought maybe car age? mileage? either case spent 500 kms driving on and off to get the best feel.

An expert mechanic and garage owner I trust said 100,000 kms is more than recommended for my car, my transmission and driving style. Results are evident in the pics- both Diff and Transmission were deep brown near coffee black. As the garage owner told me, i would feel a difference immediately.

Boy, did I feel it! BUTTER smooth and FASTER shifts vs these past 500 kms specifically trying to feel all modes, and conditions, night and day. Comfort, Sports or Sports plus, gentle taps and seamlessly glides through the gears. The TCM clearly has slowed it down based on filter condition. -3C today, butter smooth. Day went up to 5C, butter smooth. The garage did not reset the TMC, and told me to expect more positive adaptive changes over then next days.

this may not necessarily be warranted on a 328i, or a 330i. but on a car with MPPK, tunes or anything with a remapped transmission, and more frequent spirited driving, any tracking, yes, 60,000 miles or some 90,000-100,000 kms is a must to maintain performance. Yes, the Transmission and the Diff would have been fine another 30, 40 ,50,000 kms but the performance would have degraded.
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      03-05-2020, 01:26 PM   #179
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If anyone is able to use Zippity, they quoted me ~$570 all in. But with supplying my own parts for 280 from fcpeuro, they're charging $160 for labor, so I'm getting this service done for 440 all in. Now, they're not BMW specialty or anything, but I've had nothing but great experience with them. What's more I don't need to schedule a separate time since they take your car from the parking lot, service it in their mobile garage, then return it to the spot.
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      03-05-2020, 01:42 PM   #180
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chhappy7 View Post
If anyone is able to use Zippity, they quoted me ~$570 all in. But with supplying my own parts for 280 from fcpeuro, they're charging $160 for labor, so I'm getting this service done for 440 all in. Now, they're not BMW specialty or anything, but I've had nothing but great experience with them. What's more I don't need to schedule a separate time since they take your car from the parking lot, service it in their mobile garage, then return it to the spot.
It is not difficult at all to do the transmission fluid change. They just need to follow the procedure from ZF. The transmission needs to be at the right temperature when refilling.
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      03-05-2020, 01:43 PM   #181
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Quote:
Originally Posted by montr View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by chhappy7 View Post
If anyone is able to use Zippity, they quoted me ~$570 all in. But with supplying my own parts for 280 from fcpeuro, they're charging $160 for labor, so I'm getting this service done for 440 all in. Now, they're not BMW specialty or anything, but I've had nothing but great experience with them. What's more I don't need to schedule a separate time since they take your car from the parking lot, service it in their mobile garage, then return it to the spot.
It is not difficult at all to do the transmission fluid change. They just need to follow the procedure from ZF.
It is not hard at all. I agree. But for some of us apartment dwellers with a clause that auto repair cannot be done in the parking lot...160 for labor isn't bad at all
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      03-06-2020, 01:38 AM   #182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Musashi View Post
YES! ABSOLUTELY! And frequency relative to your respective car model and mapping.

My car crossed 100,500kms a few weeks ago, and was bored trying to figure out what I should maintain. Still got warranty until April! Rod Bearings at 160,000 kms? What about Transmission or diff fluid? It seemed OK to me, have also traveled 1.5 years since 2014, thus lost touch with my car a few times. Cold starts sometimes, maybe a slight 1-2 gear hesitation, none in sports +. Noticed a difference vs newer 340i I test drove but thought maybe car age? mileage? either case spent 500 kms driving on and off to get the best feel.

An expert mechanic and garage owner I trust said 100,000 kms is more than recommended for my car, my transmission and driving style. Results are evident in the pics- both Diff and Transmission were deep brown near coffee black. As the garage owner told me, i would feel a difference immediately.

Boy, did I feel it! BUTTER smooth and FASTER shifts vs these past 500 kms specifically trying to feel all modes, and conditions, night and day. Comfort, Sports or Sports plus, gentle taps and seamlessly glides through the gears. The TCM clearly has slowed it down based on filter condition. -3C today, butter smooth. Day went up to 5C, butter smooth. The garage did not reset the TMC, and told me to expect more positive adaptive changes over then next days.

this may not necessarily be warranted on a 328i, or a 330i. but on a car with MPPK, tunes or anything with a remapped transmission, and more frequent spirited driving, any tracking, yes, 60,000 miles or some 90,000-100,000 kms is a must to maintain performance. Yes, the Transmission and the Diff would have been fine another 30, 40 ,50,000 kms but the performance would have degraded.
I agree with this. I have now 183,000 km on clock and changed my transmission fluid second time. Oil was used for about 90,000km. I felt a difference with shifting speed immediately when I got the car back from service and after few thousand km's it's still shifting faster and better than before oil change.

It's quite expensive but I would recommend it if you want to get the best out of your tranny
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      04-14-2020, 03:14 PM   #183
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So I have read through all the pages on this thread, I have 2014 435i xDrive at 78K miles and I am obviously looking to do this service asap. I contacted ZF via email, and spoke to the dealer about changing trans filter and fluid.

The dealer as usual said "lifetime fill" and no need to change and that they would not recommend it. However after pushing them for a quote anyway they said $2100 out the door parts and labor. So I asked if I can bring my own parts and fluid they said sure and quoted me around $330 or so for the labor. With the kit from FCP that puts the total work at under $600 and done at a BMW dealership. Not a bad option I guess.

ZF emailed me back and they recommended a filter and fluid change every 8 years or 60K miles. They were kind enough to send instructions as well which I will include for those interested.

I am leaning on just doing this work myself as I've worked on my cars for almost 20 years and actually went to school to be a mechanic. I would be using jack stands as I dont have a lift. Also found some good videos on youtube as well as the FCP video.
As far as reading the trans. temp. I have MHD which monitors the trans. temp. so that should be sufficient.

One question I do have or just something I need confirmation on is that when removing the old fluid the trans may be cold? But for the fill process it must be in the 30c-50c (86f-122f) range? So basically not until everything is replaced and all fluid is in until it leaks out do you then turn on your car run it through the gears and bring the temp up to specs in order to refill with more fluid?
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      04-24-2020, 10:47 AM   #184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seba77W View Post
One question I do have or just something I need confirmation on is that when removing the old fluid the trans may be cold? But for the fill process it must be in the 30c-50c (86f-122f) range? So basically not until everything is replaced and all fluid is in until it leaks out do you then turn on your car run it through the gears and bring the temp up to specs in order to refill with more fluid?
From my understanding, it can be cold while removing the fluid and pan (and probably want it to be since the exhaust is nearby.) The top off procedure calls for the transmission to be at operating temps so that the transmission cooler thermostat opens and takes in fresh fluid. Again, this is just my simpleton's understanding of how the system works and why the procedure calls for it.
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      05-08-2020, 02:27 PM   #185
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heads up, looks like the kit from fcp euro is down to $180 for our transmissions. Just pulled the trigger, as last week it was $280.
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      05-08-2020, 05:56 PM   #186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markeys View Post
heads up, looks like the kit from fcp euro is down to $180 for our transmissions. Just pulled the trigger, as last week it was $280.
I got that kit, and decided to bring it to my Indy after hurting my back, hell of a deal at that price, and definitely worth doing.
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      05-15-2020, 09:06 AM   #187
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Got quoted just under 1000 Euro at BMW in Italy. Leaning more to finding an indy shop. I don't have the location or desire to deal with the temperatures and loading the oil.
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      01-16-2021, 06:39 PM   #188
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CandyRedRC46 View Post
ZF's recommendation is to do the standard, drain, pan drop, new filter/pan and refill, (as in half fluid change), every 50k or 60k miles (depending on use and conditions etc). If you are not getting around to your first change until 100k, it may be a good idea to do a second change sooner, say within 10 or 20k miles. But, it is best to stick to ZF's guidelines, which are laid out in here. I would 100% avoid flushing or transfer pumps etc...

Where can one find the "official" ZF recommendation for 2015 f30 auto? Just email them?
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      01-18-2021, 11:44 PM   #189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerdiaz View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CandyRedRC46 View Post
ZF's recommendation is to do the standard, drain, pan drop, new filter/pan and refill, (as in half fluid change), every 50k or 60k miles (depending on use and conditions etc). If you are not getting around to your first change until 100k, it may be a good idea to do a second change sooner, say within 10 or 20k miles. But, it is best to stick to ZF's guidelines, which are laid out in here. I would 100% avoid flushing or transfer pumps etc...

Where can one find the "official" ZF recommendation for 2015 f30 auto? Just email them?
Recommendation for what? What type of fluid? Or when to do the service? I just emailed them directly and this is the response I got:


"It is always a good idea to freshen up the fluid and filter to prevent the fluids from breaking down over time and service. Therefore, ZF recommends a fluid and filter change very 60k miles or 8 years. ."

They also included PDF instructions on how to change the pan/filter and fluid.
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      01-24-2021, 11:05 PM   #190
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Went to the dealer a few days ago and they DID NOT recommend a trans fluid/filter change. Car is is a f30 328i rwd zf8 auto with 62k miles. Did anybody have problems after they changed their trans oil?
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      01-25-2021, 01:08 PM   #191
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Changed the ATF on my 2010 E90 335d around 100K miles. No issues at all.
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      01-26-2021, 12:13 AM   #192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markeys View Post
heads up, looks like the kit from fcp euro is down to $180 for our transmissions. Just pulled the trigger, as last week it was $280.
Back up to $303 now.
I've read this thread through, but can I get some help on what fluid to use in the front and rear differentials in my 2016 328i X-Drive? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
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      01-26-2021, 03:34 PM   #193
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Oil Pan brand

Hi guys,

I am about to change fluid on mine F30 but because I am in Chile this is complicated to buy set (fluid shipment or get it to airplane is the problem).


I am planing to buy here Motul Multi ATF (I've used this on mine E90 in past and this is good fluid from mine point of view) and that for need to buy Oil Pan only and there come problems.

Everything I've found is aftermarket with different prices and I have no idea what is descent and what is garbage. At this moment options are for example :

https://www.amazon.com/Transmission-...1694590&sr=8-2

Brand "KM Premium" ?



https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-265-85...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Brand "Dorman" ?

I am preffering Amazon because of shipping options but any other site is OK as well.


Any recommendation ?

P.S.
This is 80K KM now (50K miles) and I've start notice that this is not smooth anymore, behavior I've notice on E90 on almost 100K miles.
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      01-26-2021, 06:48 PM   #194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by allotherareused View Post
Hi guys,

I am about to change fluid on mine F30 but because I am in Chile this is complicated to buy set (fluid shipment or get it to airplane is the problem).


I am planing to buy here Motul Multi ATF (I've used this on mine E90 in past and this is good fluid from mine point of view) and that for need to buy Oil Pan only and there come problems.

Everything I've found is aftermarket with different prices and I have no idea what is descent and what is garbage. At this moment options are for example :

https://www.amazon.com/Transmission-...1694590&sr=8-2

Brand "KM Premium" ?



https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-265-85...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Brand "Dorman" ?

I am preffering Amazon because of shipping options but any other site is OK as well.


Any recommendation ?

P.S.
This is 80K KM now (50K miles) and I've start notice that this is not smooth anymore, behavior I've notice on E90 on almost 100K miles.
I'll be ordering a kit that comes with this: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-24118612901kt
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      01-26-2021, 11:22 PM   #195
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sad N26 View Post
I'll be ordering a kit that comes with this: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-24118612901kt
This one looks good, thank you, but this seller is not shipping abroad This will be option when I am traveling to US if I can't find something better in meantime.
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      01-27-2021, 07:59 AM   #196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by montr View Post
It is not difficult at all to do the transmission fluid change. They just need to follow the procedure from ZF. The transmission needs to be at the right temperature when refilling.
Just as note for anyone who is doing it without so much tools few basic tips I've added to previous manual when I was changing on E90 :

- temperature can be checked with laser thermometer, this is close enough
- in first step you can expect this to even overheat a little (first refill, changing all shifts ... finally there is not enough fluid and temperature goes little higher than expected) but after refill this is going to expected range, that for I can recommend 3x add fluid steps :
1. fill with fluid
2. change all shift positions
3. fill again (this is point where temperature may go out of range)
4. (needed if at point 3 temperature wasn't in expected range) fill once more when temperature is in expected range.
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      02-05-2021, 01:29 PM   #197
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Update:

I ordered the FCP Euro transmission pan/filter kit with 7 liters of ZF fluid for $303. The shop (regionally recognized for their expertise in BMWs and high-end cars) is charging me $300 for the labor.
Also getting the transfer case and rear differential fluids changed with Motul fluids (provided by the shop) for $200.

Compared to what some others seem to have paid on here, I think I'm getting a pretty good deal. My appointment is this Tuesday. I can provide another update then, if anybody's interested.
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      02-09-2021, 07:03 PM   #198
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Okay, so I dropped my car off this morning and picked it up this evening. As I mentioned, I had purchased the FCP Euro transmission pan/filter kit with 7 liters of ZF fluid for $303. The shop charged me $337 in labor for the transmission fluid & pan change.

I also had them change the transfer case fluid and use fresh Motul DTCF in its place. They changed the rear differential fluid with Motul 75w90 gear fluid. They charged me $250 for this (they had the Motul fluids in stock).

The car shifts sooooo much more smoothly and cleanly now after the service. I had 82,000 miles on the clock. So glad I had this done. I highly recommend everybody get this done every 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
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