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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > N20, N26, B46, B48 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Should I change my transmission fluid?
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      10-23-2018, 12:25 PM   #45
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You have to change.....NOT you should.
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      10-23-2018, 12:50 PM   #46
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Can any (decent) mechanic change transmission fluid...maybe a European specialist or transmission specialist? i'm sure the ZF transmission is used in other vehicles anyways.

I looked in my area for a ZF transmission specialist and I have nothing near me.

So I just called a transmission service location locally and they said the ZF is used in Ford vehicles too. . . and he'd charge ~ $200 for the service if I supply my own oil. . . sound like a good plan or too good to be true?
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      10-25-2018, 01:39 PM   #47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bheng89 View Post
Can any (decent) mechanic change transmission fluid...maybe a European specialist or transmission specialist? i'm sure the ZF transmission is used in other vehicles anyways.

I looked in my area for a ZF transmission specialist and I have nothing near me.

So I just called a transmission service location locally and they said the ZF is used in Ford vehicles too. . . and he'd charge ~ $200 for the service if I supply my own oil. . . sound like a good plan or too good to be true?
That doesn't sound too bad, as it really isn't much different than changing the transmission fluid in most other cars.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...rvice-kit-8hp/

That is the kit I bought, but haven't done it yet.
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      10-25-2018, 01:45 PM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s3ri3s1 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by bheng89 View Post
Can any (decent) mechanic change transmission fluid...maybe a European specialist or transmission specialist? i'm sure the ZF transmission is used in other vehicles anyways.

I looked in my area for a ZF transmission specialist and I have nothing near me.

So I just called a transmission service location locally and they said the ZF is used in Ford vehicles too. . . and he'd charge ~ $200 for the service if I supply my own oil. . . sound like a good plan or too good to be true?
That doesn't sound too bad, as it really isn't much different than changing the transmission fluid in most other cars.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...rvice-kit-8hp/

That is the kit I bought, but haven't done it yet.
Sweet kit, thanks for sharing. Need to pick one of those up in the next 6-12 months.
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      10-28-2018, 09:56 PM   #49
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Great thread, I'm a new owner and we plan on keeping this car for years to come. We also have an AWD Jaguar X Type and I've been thru all the gear boxes on that. They were all rated 'sealed for life' which only makes sense if 'life' ends at 100K miles or so.

The rear diff uses the same 75w90 synthetic gear oil. The Jag is a manual so I put that in the trans too. I like Royal Purple for those. Friction modifiers anyone? I guess they're good.

Eight quarts is a lot of freaking ATF! The manual in my Jag takes 2 quarts, but I guess that's how it goes with automatics. The Beemer is her car, so an auto trans is great esp. this one. I've never had an 8 speed transmission. Learning a lot about the N20/F30 car cuz I'll be turning the wrenches in order to keep it sweet like it is right now. It's really a fun, responsive, powerful car. Looks really cool too. I saw a 2 door version of the 328i today in black What a looker!
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      10-31-2018, 10:49 AM   #50
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I'm looking at this now, do I have to change the pan too? Or fluid enough? Any part number for the pan?

Last edited by Kailec; 10-31-2018 at 10:55 AM..
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      10-31-2018, 11:11 AM   #51
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I'm looking at this now, do I have to change the pan too? Or fluid enough? Any part number for the pan?
The filter is in the pan, so if you buy the kit I linked, it comes with both.
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      10-31-2018, 11:12 AM   #52
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kailec View Post
I'm looking at this now, do I have to change the pan too? Or fluid enough? Any part number for the pan?
The filter is in the pan, so if you buy the kit I linked, it comes with both.
Understood, but I'm not buying from the kit since I'm in Canada. Trying to buy locally
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      10-31-2018, 11:16 AM   #53
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Understood, but I'm not buying from the kit since I'm in Canada. Trying to buy locally
It was under the kit contents of the link I shared
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      10-31-2018, 11:28 AM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s3ri3s1 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kailec View Post
Understood, but I'm not buying from the kit since I'm in Canada. Trying to buy locally
It was under the kit contents of the link I shared
Thanks, it's not showing up for me when I use my phone to browse there.
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      10-31-2018, 11:30 AM   #55
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Changing trans fluid is a risky business I plan on waiting for my 100k warranty and maintenance to run out before attempting anything with it.
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      10-31-2018, 11:31 AM   #56
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Changing trans fluid is a risky business I plan on waiting for my 100k warranty and maintenance to run out before attempting anything with it.
why is it a risky business?
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      10-31-2018, 11:32 AM   #57
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Quote:
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why is it a risky business?
It's just a delicate process. You must use the right filter and you must use the right fluid and you must fill it the proper amount. It's very specific and if you're wrong slightly you could do damage. Risky business indeed, but not impossible or even especially difficult if you're careful.
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      10-31-2018, 12:03 PM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by s3ri3s1 View Post
why is it a risky business?
It's just a delicate process. You must use the right filter and you must use the right fluid and you must fill it the proper amount. It's very specific and if you're wrong slightly you could do damage. Risky business indeed, but not impossible or even especially difficult if you're careful.
it isn't that exact of a science. I've done countless cars and not had an issue.
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      10-31-2018, 01:27 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s3ri3s1 View Post
it isn't that exact of a science. I've done countless cars and not had an issue.
Well, neither is nuclear fission if you don't plan on doing it correctly. Not implying you did it incorrectly, but you it seems you just found it less intimidating to be so precise. Really boils down the ZF8 being notoriously finicky when it comes to it's fluid. That's all.
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      10-31-2018, 02:20 PM   #60
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I bought my kit few months ago but haven't had time to do it yet.

A couple of the members here did it. Kit costs around $300. You'll need ISTA to keep track of the temp.

The ISTA+ "Oil adjustment" procedure following pan/filter replacement is as follows (car initially off and leveled):
1. Fill pan until fluid drips from the fill plug
2. Turn car on, and immediately repeat step 1
3. Get in the car and shift to reverse, then D, then go into the manual shift gate and hold gears 1 & 2 for 10 seconds.
4. Put the car back in park and rev the engine at 2k RPMs for 30 seconds to fill the torque converter.
5. Repeat step 1. Replace fill plug

The fluid is supposed to be between 30-40 degrees C before doing step 5.

Use Max Axess ratchet with a 8 mm Max Axess Hex Bit Socket for drain plug.
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      10-31-2018, 04:14 PM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
Well, neither is nuclear fission if you don't plan on doing it correctly. Not implying you did it incorrectly, but you it seems you just found it less intimidating to be so precise. Really boils down the ZF8 being notoriously finicky when it comes to it's fluid. That's all.
Yeah, I agree. No, it's not the hardest thing in the book but it requires ISTA+ and the correct fill method. The fact that there's room for error in comparison to other simple fluid changes is what can make it riskier. If you know the process, then it's not anything crazy but for the average DIY'er, if they don't read up, they're going to have a bad time.
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      10-31-2018, 04:58 PM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BunkerJ View Post
Yeah, I agree. No, it's not the hardest thing in the book but it requires ISTA+ and the correct fill method. The fact that there's room for error in comparison to other simple fluid changes is what can make it riskier. If you know the process, then it's not anything crazy but for the average DIY'er, if they don't read up, they're going to have a bad time.
Exactly, well put. In comparison to other fluid maintenance the trans fluid is more precision intensive/finicky. The average guy could manage an oil change for sure, but I wouldn't want that guy (probably not even myself for that matter) doing the transmission fluid.
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      10-31-2018, 07:06 PM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BunkerJ View Post
Yeah, I agree. No, it's not the hardest thing in the book but it requires ISTA+ and the correct fill method. The fact that there's room for error in comparison to other simple fluid changes is what can make it riskier. If you know the process, then it's not anything crazy but for the average DIY'er, if they don't read up, they're going to have a bad time.
Exactly, well put. In comparison to other fluid maintenance the trans fluid is more precision intensive/finicky. The average guy could manage an oil change for sure, but I wouldn't want that guy (probably not even myself for that matter) doing the transmission fluid.
Are you going to get yours changed? If so when?

Surprised dealers aren't banging these out for $599 specials? Honestly. This transmission is in everything it seems.
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      10-31-2018, 07:15 PM   #64
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Are you going to get yours changed? If so when?

Surprised dealers aren't banging these out for $599 specials? Honestly. This transmission is in everything it seems.
I'd like to get it done soon. I'm at 71k miles and assume it has never been done, so I want it done ASAP for sure. I have to go in for an oil change (still getting free oil changes under maintenance plan) soon anyway, so I'm going to see if I can't get this done by the dealer for a reasonable price. Maybe it's covered under my maintenance plan but probably not. I've heard that dealers NEVER do trans fluid under warranty/maintenance plan (unless the trans is having problems) because it's a "lifetime" fluid. Gonna talk with my SA about it, and while I'm there see about getting the diff fluid done as well.
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      10-31-2018, 07:23 PM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjdnyy224 View Post
I'd like to get it done soon. I'm at 71k miles and assume it has never been done, so I want it done ASAP for sure. I have to go in for an oil change (still getting free oil changes under maintenance plan) soon anyway, so I'm going to see if I can't get this done by the dealer for a reasonable price. Maybe it's covered under my maintenance plan but probably not. I've heard that dealers NEVER do trans fluid under warranty/maintenance plan (unless the trans is having problems) because it's a "lifetime" fluid. Gonna talk with my SA about it, and while I'm there see about getting the diff fluid done as well.
Awesome... please share what SA has to say.

Im at 62k and very interested in what I should do as well.

Personally, Im going to be keeping this car for a long time (100k miles+ on top of what I have now) and want to make the most of it. Quadruple knock on wood.

Not going to pay a grand for someone to do it though... not when you can buy a kit a third of that.
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      10-31-2018, 07:29 PM   #66
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I just emailed my SA...

We will see what he comes back with for a quote!

Im guessing a G wizard. Watch!
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