[bimmerace]

My car just reached 85k miles, and I've noticed that the tranny isn't downshifting like it used to. Could it be that the ecu is set to a lower tune after XXX miles to prolong life?

[Lancelot]

Could be any number of parameters - like engine oil level - that drive the ECU to more conservative behaviour, rather than age per se.

[harkes]

Have you had the gearbox oil changed yet? 85k miles sound about the time to get that done.

[zinner]

Life time fill is getting to it's "life time"

[mike@x-ph.com]

Im not aware on any detaining set by BMW after a certain mileage

[bimmerace]

Thanks everybody for your reply!

I had just taken the car for its oil change right before it started doing this. Could it be that the car did that because of weight? I had 5 people total on a road trip, as we started the trip, that's when it reached 85k, so that's why idk if it was the weight or the miles. Its power seemed fine, but I found it really odd that it wouldn't downshift like it normally did, and the change was too noticeable, up to the point where I just shifted manually when passing cars.

Is the tranny oil something I have to ask them to do? Is it covered by either CPO or the maintenance package?

Thanks!

[Lancelot]

To be honest that doesn't sound too worrying to me, many parameters control downshifting decision by the ECU.
BMW says transmission oil is lifetime but ZF doesn't, there are some threads on the topic discussing the pros & cons.

Accepted point of view is that it's best to change it after 60000-80000km IIRC, but making sure that you give it to skilled professionals as this is an usual process, more complex than changing engine oil. Your average BMW dealer wouldn't know how to do that for instance.

So no, not part of maintenance package.

[bimmerace]

Originally Posted by Lancelot

To be honest that doesn't sound too worrying to me, many parameters control downshifting decision by the ECU.
BMW says transmission oil is lifetime but ZF doesn't, there are some threads on the topic discussing the pros & cons.

Accepted point of view is that it's best to change it after 60000-80000km IIRC, but making sure that you give it to skilled professionals as this is an usual process, more complex than changing engine oil. Your average BMW dealer wouldn't know how to do that for instance.

So no, not part of maintenance package.

Got a rough idea of how much it would cost? and where I can find place to do it?

[Lancelot]

I was told about 600 eur so i expect similar amount in USD, and to look for ZF service center. But looking at ZF website i can't find any in the US for cars, only for trucks, boats etc.

You can always as BMW service if they're able to do that anyway.

[bimmerace]

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I was told about 600 eur so i expect similar amount in USD, and to look for ZF service center. But looking at ZF website i can't find any in the US for cars, only for trucks, boats etc.

You can always as BMW service if they're able to do that anyway.

Thanks a lot! I'll ask next time!

[German Straight-6]

Originally Posted by zinner

Life time fill is getting to it's "life time"

The “lifetime” fill is actually well past it’s “lifetime” but this point and sinkmy degrading performance/longetivity of the transmission. The ZF unit relies on clean regularly fluid changes (50-60k Miles) for ideal operation.

Don’t even bother wasting your time going to the dealer with this one unless you want to pay some astounding rates or simply not get a fluid change at all.

If you want a somewhat reasonable price, I recommend finding a transmission speciality shop which will do it for about $400. An Indy for less then the dealer but sri totally unreasonable $700.

Change the fluid and filter, reset transmission adaptations and your transmission will thank you.

If you plan to keep the car for a while, I’d recommend getting new solenoids while you’re in there (your car is downshifting slower because these parts are wearing out) and change your mechatronic sleeve as well. Trans will shift like new.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by German Straight-6

The “lifetime” fill is actually well past it’s “lifetime” but this point and sinkmy degrading performance/longetivity of the transmission. The ZF unit relies on clean regularly fluid changes (50-60k Miles) for ideal operation.

Don’t even bother wasting your time going to the dealer with this one unless you want to pay some astounding rates or simply not get a fluid change at all.

If you want a somewhat reasonable price, I recommend finding a transmission speciality shop which will do it for about $400. An Indy for less then the dealer but sri totally unreasonable $700.

Change the fluid and filter, reset transmission adaptations and your transmission will thank you.

If you plan to keep the car for a while, I’d recommend getting new solenoids while you’re in there (your car is downshifting slower because these parts are wearing out) and change your mechatronic sleeve as well. Trans will shift like new.

+1

Definitely not a dealer item I would recommend.. Indy ship 100%.

Mike

[bimmerace]

Originally Posted by German Straight-6

The “lifetime” fill is actually well past it’s “lifetime” but this point and sinkmy degrading performance/longetivity of the transmission. The ZF unit relies on clean regularly fluid changes (50-60k Miles) for ideal operation.

Don’t even bother wasting your time going to the dealer with this one unless you want to pay some astounding rates or simply not get a fluid change at all.

If you want a somewhat reasonable price, I recommend finding a transmission speciality shop which will do it for about $400. An Indy for less then the dealer but sri totally unreasonable $700.

Change the fluid and filter, reset transmission adaptations and your transmission will thank you.

If you plan to keep the car for a while, I’d recommend getting new solenoids while you’re in there (your car is downshifting slower because these parts are wearing out) and change your mechatronic sleeve as well. Trans will shift like new.

Thanks for your help! Will definitely do that, want this car to last!

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

+1

Definitely not a dealer item I would recommend.. Indy ship 100%.

Mike

and thanks for confirming Mike!