How much should a complete transmission fluid change charge?
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 195
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From: California
My Ride: 2008 BMW 535i Silver - E60
Why so much to drop the pan and change the filter? I've done it on other vehicles, and it's not very tough to do. You definitely need to replace the gasket, and flush the TC while you're doing it, but I don't understand how the stealership could get a rate that high for something that shouldn't take more than 1 hour of labor on a lift... and maybe 1.5 - 2 hours for a person using jackstands. I know there are some underbody panels to contend with, but surely someone has done it themselves?
Members
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Continental US, Warmer Region
My Ride: 2006 530i
Aside from the obvious dealer markup:
-Type of fluid. Lifeguard 6 for my ZF retails for $50+ a liter. You can find it online for $25/L
-The brand of the pan and filter. This can range anywhere from $100-$400+
The job itself isn't complicated and there is a very good DIY. Also The CTSC - ZF Parts has a good walkthrough.
If you don't feel like doing it, labor shouldn't be more than an 1-1.5 hours worth.
-Type of fluid. Lifeguard 6 for my ZF retails for $50+ a liter. You can find it online for $25/L
-The brand of the pan and filter. This can range anywhere from $100-$400+
The job itself isn't complicated and there is a very good DIY. Also The CTSC - ZF Parts has a good walkthrough.
If you don't feel like doing it, labor shouldn't be more than an 1-1.5 hours worth.
Senior Members
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,680
Likes: 7
My Ride: E60 530i
I did myself twice. Because I wanted to "flush" the torque converter. So I drained fluid and refilled with Pentosin ATF +1 @ $15 liter. Then drove the car around to mix the new/old fluid and then drained again and swapped the pan. The pan, filter, gasket are an all in one. I think it cost me about $200 and the fluid 11 liters so about $360 to do myself.
There are no "special" flush tools. You will need another person to be in car shifting (with foot on brake) through all gears P,R,D,M1-M6 and back while you're filling.
Do not fill until cold.
Just follow the TIS.
There are no "special" flush tools. You will need another person to be in car shifting (with foot on brake) through all gears P,R,D,M1-M6 and back while you're filling.
Do not fill until cold.
Just follow the TIS.
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socale39
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Sep 5, 2023 08:30 AM