Transmission Fluid Changed
05-11-2010, 03:14 AM
#11
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boston, US
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The filter is built into the pan. If you want to change the filter (and you do) you have to buy a new pan.
05-11-2010, 03:28 AM
#12
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boston, US
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to confirm, the price you wrote was from a dealer correct? Or was it from an independent shop? I have just over 50k miles on my '08 550i and was thinking about doing this. Perhaps I should have the spark plugs changed first at 60k, wait for the transmission flush till I'm closer to 70k then do the radiator flush around 80k.
My independent told me of a horror story where a guy with a 745 came to them with a bad trans. The customer sourced a used transmission and they had all sorts of problems with it. They installed the trans and when they started the car the computer immediately put the car in limp mode and basically refused to recognize and run the car with the replaced transmission.
05-11-2010, 05:39 AM
#13
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E60
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Where did you go?
I'm in MA and considering a full fluid change since I plan on keeping the car for a while.
I'm currently at 62k with zero transmission issues and would like to keep it that way.
I'm in MA and considering a full fluid change since I plan on keeping the car for a while.
I'm currently at 62k with zero transmission issues and would like to keep it that way.
05-11-2010, 07:48 AM
#14
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boston, US
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
26 Middle Rd
Newburry MA
978-481-3655
Small shop, nice guys, lots of M cars around... which I alwasy consider a good sign
05-12-2010, 10:26 AM
#15
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not only is the filter in the pan, but the heat cycling on the plastic trans pan causes warping and once you remove the pan, the pan will never reseal properly again and will leak.
05-12-2010, 10:41 AM
#16
Members
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E60
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N54
When I've been to the dealer over the last 2 years I've asked probably 20 different people... and a few outside of dealerships IF I should change the transmission fluid... a majority of people always said NO. (I've even started multiple threads on here about the exact same subject.)
So my car now has 87k miles on it.... so is everyone telling me this to screw me so I end up needing a transmission? (I don't plan on getting rid of the car ever...)
So my car now has 87k miles on it.... so is everyone telling me this to screw me so I end up needing a transmission? (I don't plan on getting rid of the car ever...)
05-12-2010, 04:50 PM
#19
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We may be smarter than the accountants which don't want to pay for the change of fluid changes as part of the service. We may be smarter than the stock holders of the companies who want the transmission to fail due to lack of maintenance. We may be smarter than the politicians who pass laws forcing companies to reduce the waste produced aka oils
05-12-2010, 05:29 PM
#20
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Boston, US
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I've been to the dealer over the last 2 years I've asked probably 20 different people... and a few outside of dealerships IF I should change the transmission fluid... a majority of people always said NO. (I've even started multiple threads on here about the exact same subject.)
So my car now has 87k miles on it.... so is everyone telling me this to screw me so I end up needing a transmission? (I don't plan on getting rid of the car ever...)
So my car now has 87k miles on it.... so is everyone telling me this to screw me so I end up needing a transmission? (I don't plan on getting rid of the car ever...)
I turned this over many times myself, finally I asked Mike Miller who writes Tech Talk for the BMW Car Club magazine Roundel. He said there is no such think as life time fluid and recommends a fluid change at 60k miles. So far I am very happy with the decision the transmission shifts better and doesn't get lost between gears when slowing down.
If you plan on keeping the car forever I would do it.