i have an 06 5550i with 70k.
should i go ahead and change the trans fluid, or leave it alone?

 

damn, i posted in the wrong forum.
how do i delete a thread?

 

I would vote to change it. I'm can not see any reason why new fluid is worse than the old fluid. It is probably not good for BMW if the tranny lasted a million miles.

 

Other than the cost associated with it...I say change the fluid.

But make sure its' done by a professional. AFAIK the fluid system in BMW's are sealed air tight.

 

the dealer says don't change because bmw claims its tranny fluid is lifetime , I tend to disagree however I would definitely suggest letting the dealer do this because I have heard some horror stories of tranny errors occuring after a fluid change.

 

We are stuck between a rock and a hard place on the tranny fluid. My dealer wouldn't change mine and neither would Turner Motorsport. I have read that it has to be done in a very specific way so if you have an independent shop do it and you have problems after BMW won't cover you.

 

I have talked to a local mechanic about this. His consensus - if the tranny fluid was changed at 30K, then it is beneficial to do it at 60K (or 70K in your situation). If the tranny fluid has never been changed, then he recommended not doing it until after 100K.

I know this doesnt seem very logicial but it is almost the "if it aint broke, dont fix it" mentality.

 

Check out do-it-yourself sub forum.

 

Is it an automatic or manual?
It seems to be a bigger issue (to change, or not to change) with automatics.
I would change it based on what I have read.
I changed my transmission and differential fluid at 50,000 miles. I now have 75,000 miles and have had no problems.

 

I have SMG tranny and it only took indy mechanic 30min to replace both tranny and differential fluids.
I'm not sure how difficult would be in an AT but I'm assuming there's a drain hole as well?