What is your take on the Lifetime Transmission Fluid?
#12
Members
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: GT PRO's Dyno in Fullerton
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 335i E92
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by porsche911targa' post='747849' date='Dec 18 2008, 06:21 AM
Yes, the transmission and differential fluids should be replaced regularly, despite what BMW claims. Many experts recommend every two years or 50K miles, whichever comes first. I have replaced the transmission fluid several times on my E46 and I can feel the difference. The transmission goes back to shifting as smooth as velvet, all without a reprogram. I've just had the tranny replaced in my E60, and I intend to change the fluids in 2 years. Money well spent if you plan to keep the car beyond the warranty period. It costs $6~8K to replace the tranny, while it costs about $450 to replace the tranny and diff fluids. It's up to you which amount you're willing to spend.
I had this work by the dealer. There was no real difference in price between the dealer and the specialty shop. I would trust the dealer to do a better job than the specialty shop. You just have to be strong and insist if they try to talk you out of doing it because of the "lifetime" fluid. BTW, now BMW is saying that it's a 100K fluid. Funny how all maintenance plans end at 100K miles and won't include that in the plan.
I had this work by the dealer. There was no real difference in price between the dealer and the specialty shop. I would trust the dealer to do a better job than the specialty shop. You just have to be strong and insist if they try to talk you out of doing it because of the "lifetime" fluid. BTW, now BMW is saying that it's a 100K fluid. Funny how all maintenance plans end at 100K miles and won't include that in the plan.
I have to agree 100%
#13
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
![Thumbs up](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif)
I took my car to the dealer to have the tranny and the diff fluid changed.
They refused to do it. The official reason was that changing the fluids can cause transmission "issues" and that it is not a reccommended BMW service and hence, they wouldnt do it.
Call me nuts but the dealership makes money on this deal as the car is out of its 50K warranty and has CPO which would not cover these fluids. I was more than willing to pay for it....so what's the deal. It should be an easy empty/fill/top off/cap type of deal.... So why wouldnt they do it?
Someone said you should be firm but what if there are consequences to the fluid change??? Surely they would clearly no longer honor any form of warranty on the tranny if there were issues when they dont reccommend this in the first place..
Anyone have any theories????
They refused to do it. The official reason was that changing the fluids can cause transmission "issues" and that it is not a reccommended BMW service and hence, they wouldnt do it.
Call me nuts but the dealership makes money on this deal as the car is out of its 50K warranty and has CPO which would not cover these fluids. I was more than willing to pay for it....so what's the deal. It should be an easy empty/fill/top off/cap type of deal.... So why wouldnt they do it?
Someone said you should be firm but what if there are consequences to the fluid change??? Surely they would clearly no longer honor any form of warranty on the tranny if there were issues when they dont reccommend this in the first place..
Anyone have any theories????
#15
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i | Black Sapphire Metallic | Black Dakota Leather | Anthracite Maple | 6 Speed Manual | Sport Package | Logic 7 | Sirius Satellite Radio
Model Year: 2005
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by subarashi' post='748330' date='Dec 18 2008, 08:52 PM
I took my car to the dealer to have the tranny and the diff fluid changed.
They refused to do it. The official reason was that changing the fluids can cause transmission "issues" and that it is not a reccommended BMW service and hence, they wouldnt do it.
Call me nuts but the dealership makes money on this deal as the car is out of its 50K warranty and has CPO which would not cover these fluids. I was more than willing to pay for it....so what's the deal. It should be an easy empty/fill/top off/cap type of deal.... So why wouldnt they do it?
Someone said you should be firm but what if there are consequences to the fluid change??? Surely they would clearly no longer honor any form of warranty on the tranny if there were issues when they dont reccommend this in the first place..
Anyone have any theories????
They refused to do it. The official reason was that changing the fluids can cause transmission "issues" and that it is not a reccommended BMW service and hence, they wouldnt do it.
Call me nuts but the dealership makes money on this deal as the car is out of its 50K warranty and has CPO which would not cover these fluids. I was more than willing to pay for it....so what's the deal. It should be an easy empty/fill/top off/cap type of deal.... So why wouldnt they do it?
Someone said you should be firm but what if there are consequences to the fluid change??? Surely they would clearly no longer honor any form of warranty on the tranny if there were issues when they dont reccommend this in the first place..
Anyone have any theories????
#16
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by subarashi' post='748330' date='Dec 19 2008, 02:52 AM
I took my car to the dealer to have the tranny and the diff fluid changed.
They refused to do it. The official reason was that changing the fluids can cause transmission "issues" and that it is not a reccommended BMW service and hence, they wouldnt do it.
Call me nuts but the dealership makes money on this deal as the car is out of its 50K warranty and has CPO which would not cover these fluids. I was more than willing to pay for it....so what's the deal. It should be an easy empty/fill/top off/cap type of deal.... So why wouldnt they do it?
Someone said you should be firm but what if there are consequences to the fluid change??? Surely they would clearly no longer honor any form of warranty on the tranny if there were issues when they dont reccommend this in the first place..
Anyone have any theories????
They refused to do it. The official reason was that changing the fluids can cause transmission "issues" and that it is not a reccommended BMW service and hence, they wouldnt do it.
Call me nuts but the dealership makes money on this deal as the car is out of its 50K warranty and has CPO which would not cover these fluids. I was more than willing to pay for it....so what's the deal. It should be an easy empty/fill/top off/cap type of deal.... So why wouldnt they do it?
Someone said you should be firm but what if there are consequences to the fluid change??? Surely they would clearly no longer honor any form of warranty on the tranny if there were issues when they dont reccommend this in the first place..
Anyone have any theories????
thats why i didnt attempt it myself
#17
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Sleaford, Lincs, UK
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E60 530d M-Sport
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Rob Hall' post='747864' date='Dec 18 2008, 02:58 PM
The car does change a little smoother perhaps but nothing major, i would say its more about piece of mind knowing theres clean oil/ filter in there , although there was nothing nasty in the sump when removed. Tranny specialists Oakdene of Nottingham did the work.
I live near Grantham, Sleaford in fact..........so not too far from me.
Oh, and how much did they charge you Rob ??
TIA.
#18
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by Phantom Mark' post='748575' date='Dec 19 2008, 10:34 AM
I might get mine done there then ?? How long did it take them ???
I live near Grantham, Sleaford in fact..........so not too far from me.
Oh, and how much did they charge you Rob ??
TIA.
I live near Grantham, Sleaford in fact..........so not too far from me.
Oh, and how much did they charge you Rob ??
TIA.
![Doh](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/doh.gif)
They had mine for an afternoon but i was told the time taken is dependant on achieving the correct tranny temperature.
Think it was just over ?200 all in inc the new sump cover
I found when calling around various tranny shops for a quote that most wouldnt touch the bmw auto boxes because of the complications.
#19
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Sleaford, Lincs, UK
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E60 530d M-Sport
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
They do seem to know there stuff about auto trannys and the guy will happily chat for a very long time about them
![Laughing](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/laughing.gif)
Thanks, I will put it on my "to do" list.
#20
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Princeton Junction, NJ
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
In order to "properly" fill the transmission fluid, the car has to be running and the oil has to reach a certain temperature. These cars don't come with a filler neck. You need to pump the fluid into the transmission from teh fill hill that also acts as a fill level hole.
The problem is that you can't get all the fluid out in one change because some of it will still be sitting in the torque convertor. So, the trick is to do your fluid and filter change, run the car to let the new oil mix with the old oil and then drain the oil again with a refill. This will get you close to 90% new fluid. When you drop the pan, you will notice that it has magnets on the bottom which will catch any metal particles. This should be a good indicator of how clean your fluid is.
I will see if I can do a DIY on this.
Waiting to get my E60 since the previous one was stolen.
Regards.
The problem is that you can't get all the fluid out in one change because some of it will still be sitting in the torque convertor. So, the trick is to do your fluid and filter change, run the car to let the new oil mix with the old oil and then drain the oil again with a refill. This will get you close to 90% new fluid. When you drop the pan, you will notice that it has magnets on the bottom which will catch any metal particles. This should be a good indicator of how clean your fluid is.
I will see if I can do a DIY on this.
Waiting to get my E60 since the previous one was stolen.
Regards.