E60 Transmission oil flush?
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Hi guys...
I'm still fairly new to the forums but have been learning as much as I possibly could from reading everyone's posts during the last couple months. I have a question about transmission oil in the car. I've heard from a BMW salesman back then that the new BMWs have lifetime oil as in the transmission oil does NOT have to be changed. I'm not sure if that is true or not... would anyone be able to give me some confirmation? My car currently has about 78000 KMS on it (48750 miles) and I have about another 7000 kms before an oil change (I just did an oil change 7000 kms ago with Mobil 1 synthetic). I've been used to the japanese cars that require oil changes every 6 to 8k and transmission flushes every 48k so I've been very stringent to make sure all the fluids are changed as I'm scared to death if something breaks (no warranty). Any help would be appreciated.
I'm still fairly new to the forums but have been learning as much as I possibly could from reading everyone's posts during the last couple months. I have a question about transmission oil in the car. I've heard from a BMW salesman back then that the new BMWs have lifetime oil as in the transmission oil does NOT have to be changed. I'm not sure if that is true or not... would anyone be able to give me some confirmation? My car currently has about 78000 KMS on it (48750 miles) and I have about another 7000 kms before an oil change (I just did an oil change 7000 kms ago with Mobil 1 synthetic). I've been used to the japanese cars that require oil changes every 6 to 8k and transmission flushes every 48k so I've been very stringent to make sure all the fluids are changed as I'm scared to death if something breaks (no warranty). Any help would be appreciated.
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From: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Originally Posted by tetsuro' post='1034852' date='Oct 17 2009, 07:44 PM
Hi guys...
I'm still fairly new to the forums but have been learning as much as I possibly could from reading everyone's posts during the last couple months. I have a question about transmission oil in the car. I've heard from a BMW salesman back then that the new BMWs have lifetime oil as in the transmission oil does NOT have to be changed. I'm not sure if that is true or not... would anyone be able to give me some confirmation? My car currently has about 78000 KMS on it (48750 miles) and I have about another 7000 kms before an oil change (I just did an oil change 7000 kms ago with Mobil 1 synthetic). I've been used to the japanese cars that require oil changes every 6 to 8k and transmission flushes every 48k so I've been very stringent to make sure all the fluids are changed as I'm scared to death if something breaks (no warranty). Any help would be appreciated.
I'm still fairly new to the forums but have been learning as much as I possibly could from reading everyone's posts during the last couple months. I have a question about transmission oil in the car. I've heard from a BMW salesman back then that the new BMWs have lifetime oil as in the transmission oil does NOT have to be changed. I'm not sure if that is true or not... would anyone be able to give me some confirmation? My car currently has about 78000 KMS on it (48750 miles) and I have about another 7000 kms before an oil change (I just did an oil change 7000 kms ago with Mobil 1 synthetic). I've been used to the japanese cars that require oil changes every 6 to 8k and transmission flushes every 48k so I've been very stringent to make sure all the fluids are changed as I'm scared to death if something breaks (no warranty). Any help would be appreciated.
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From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
I thought somewhere I read that the trannys are "sealed" and doesnt need changing...
Although I recently learned the M5 needs a tranny flush every 3rd oil change.
Although I recently learned the M5 needs a tranny flush every 3rd oil change.
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From: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Originally Posted by Phil75070' post='1034879' date='Oct 17 2009, 09:13 PM
Anyone have an idea as to what this would cost? Any reason an indy couldn't do it?
I see no reason a dealer couldn't do it. I asked my dealer and he said it would cost $450. And Indy could probably do it for a lot less though.
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From: HK (N.T), UK (Surrey)
My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
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Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTI, Lagoon Blue, Air Con, 16" Standard alloys with Kuhmo KU31, EBC Green Stuff
I had mind changed at 45K km, the oil was really dirt when it came out so you can imagine how it will look like in 100K miles
I suggest you do it at a trusted BMW specialist and make sure the transmission oil is the "Exact" same of what BMW use.
You will need few new parts too for the oil change
I suggest you do it at a trusted BMW specialist and make sure the transmission oil is the "Exact" same of what BMW use.
You will need few new parts too for the oil change
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Those "never need replacement" claims seem dubious to me.
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From: SoCal San Diego
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Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
I found this reply on the e90 forum.
Originally Posted by Bartman619' date='06-08-2009, 09:44 PM
Originally Posted by jpsum
Does "lifetime oil" means it doesn't have to be changed?
nothing is lifetime, BMW just doesn't want you to touch it so you have to buy a new trans from them when it breaks.
Does "lifetime oil" means it doesn't have to be changed?
nothing is lifetime, BMW just doesn't want you to touch it so you have to buy a new trans from them when it breaks.
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From: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
Originally Posted by Rizbel' post='1035200' date='Oct 18 2009, 03:21 PM
I found this reply on the e90 forum.
They just wanted to cut costs.
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From: SoCal San Diego
My Ride: 545i Sport
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Originally Posted by Mike Miller -Roundel Technical Editor
"...At various production dates in the mid-1990s, which vary according to model, BMW
switched to their so-called ?lifetime fill? ATF in automatic transmissions, as well as
manual gearbox lubricant and differential oil. The reason for this, as far as anyone can
tell, is marketing and not engineering ? the idea being to foster the notion of the lowmaintenance
BMW.
There was no explanation of what ?lifetime? meant, i.e., lifetime of the car, the
component, or for that matter the driver. If it was the component, then obviously anything
could be ?lifetime fill?. The factory?s initial position is that these lubricants never need to
be changed. Then, some time later, it came out that ?lifetime? means 100,000 miles.
Many dealerships are now recommending manual gearbox and differential oil changes be
done at customer expense every 60,000 miles. Every independent BMW technician I
know recommends a 30,000-60,000-mile interval, and many recommend Red Line..."
switched to their so-called ?lifetime fill? ATF in automatic transmissions, as well as
manual gearbox lubricant and differential oil. The reason for this, as far as anyone can
tell, is marketing and not engineering ? the idea being to foster the notion of the lowmaintenance
BMW.
There was no explanation of what ?lifetime? meant, i.e., lifetime of the car, the
component, or for that matter the driver. If it was the component, then obviously anything
could be ?lifetime fill?. The factory?s initial position is that these lubricants never need to
be changed. Then, some time later, it came out that ?lifetime? means 100,000 miles.
Many dealerships are now recommending manual gearbox and differential oil changes be
done at customer expense every 60,000 miles. Every independent BMW technician I
know recommends a 30,000-60,000-mile interval, and many recommend Red Line..."