Kuchar

I recently bought a used 2004 530i w/ 48k miles that I'm very happy with. I had the car checked out by a couple of people, once before the purchase and then an exclusive BMW shop once I located them & had the oil changed at the same time. (I'm a 1st time BMW owner)

The BMW specialist is strongly suggesting that I get the transmission serviced very soon. I don't have any of the prior service records for the car but should I really need a trany service this "early" in the cars life? (50k miles). I plan to keep the car for a very long time so I want to take care of it but at the same time I don't want to perform unncessary service.

Thanks for any insight!
Kuchar

BlitzburghFan

You do not ever need to have an 04's tranny serviced. The transmission is sealed. I was told by my service rep at BMW of Arlington in VA that my 04' 525i transmission (along with all the other newer BMW's) have lifetime transmission fluid and if you ever take them apart/open them up, you're basically screwed and will need a new transmission. Trust me, you don't need any type of service.

ExGMan

Since you're a new to the BMW family, you might want to consider joining the BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA). See: http://www.bmwcca.org The Technical Editor of the "Roundel," the BMW CCA magazine, is Mike Miller. Mike is pretty negative about the way in which BMW is servicing newer BMWs. As he notes, the Selectronic transmission is said to be filled with so-called "lifetime fill" fluid. He notes that he is of the belief that it's unlikely that a modern Selectronic will go much beyond 100,000 miles serviced according to the BMW method. He suggests changing transmission fluid at 30,000-mile intervals. If you join the BMWCCA, you can make inquiry of him, and he'll email you his suggested old-fashioned maintenance schedule which details the schedule for engine, transmission, differential and brake fluid changes.

Kuchar

Thanks for the suggestion & feeback!!!

Kuchar

BlitzburghFan

I'm just going by what I was told by my Service Rep. This is my second BMW, the first being a 97' 328 with over 100,000 miles that never had anything done to the transmission and it still shifted as good as day one. I don't know why a transmission would need serviced every 30,000 miles, that's crazy, especially when they say you can go 15,000 miles between oil changes (not that I agree with that). I just sold an 05 Acura that didn't require a dealer scheduled tune up until 100,000 miles and no where in between was a transmission flush/service required. I think you're opening up way too many problems by cracking into your tranny anytime before 100,000 miles at the very least. The service rep also gave me the impression that they wouldn't even service the tranny unless it was acting up, meaning they wouldn't just change the fluid because you wanted it done, but he may be wrong, who knows.

Leigh

I have a 2004 530i that I bought as a flood salvage car. Whenever I get these cars (this is my 3rd) I always change all fluids. I was also told by the dealer this was a sealed unit etc... I told him do it and it was done. I did notice a few things. the transmission was much more quite (car has 30K miles), the price of the ATF was extremely expensive and the service tech had never done this procedure before due to the BMW service policy. I do agree BMW is trying many methods to squeeze independents and drive more service business back into the dealers. Its a negitive change for the BMW brand....