[hockeyplayer]

hi all,

My 2006 325xi is approaching 90,000 miles. Friday I am having the transfer case and differential fluid changed, just for some preventative maintenance.

When I made the appointment at my indy shop I also asked about changing the manual trans fluid. They said they would do it, but they don't recommend it, as it is not needed.

I fully trust my indy & taking my car there for items that I don't feel comfortable doing on my own. I could still request this service from them, but I really don't want to pay for this if its not needed. Just wanted to solicit opinions from others here.

thanks in advance

[kunal_d]

My indy said something similar to me. I told them to just take my money and change it!

Seriously though, I did feel a nice difference after all was said and done. I got the manual trans and diff fluid changed using OEM oil at around 70K miles. Even if it's "not needed" as they say the peace of mind is worth it to me.

[Phil325i]

I changed my MT fluid at less than half that mileage. Just do it!

[hockeyplayer]

Thanks for the input guys I will probably go ahead & get it done.

[kaede]

Do it. BMW and some european car brands say transmission fluid is "lifetime." Ya right, lifetime of the transmission before it blows up or develop problems. Change that thing ;D

[calicolorado]

I recommend doing it. It improved the shift feel in my car 50% I think. I used Redline D4 ATF (recommended in the manual gearbox) thought Redline MTL is another option. I have MTL in my 2002.

I highly recommend changing the fluid and I'll be doing it again when I hit 130K.

[Efthreeoh]

I changed mine at 90K and again at 160K. I've got 228K on the trans now and she's shifting smooth as silk. I used BMW trans oil MTL-3

[NoTempoLimitN54]

I was doing some research about the manual trans fluid type (my trans uses MTF-LT-3). I found a ZF document (ZF is the transmission's manufacturer) that stated something along the lines of:

"Lifetime transmission oil already exists for passenger cars, which have a lifetime of 200k - 250k km."

In other words, it's lifetime transmission fluid if you consider your car to be used-up junk headed for the salvage yard at just 124k - 155k miles.

I'd say changing the MT fluid at 50k miles interval maximum. This will preserve your shift quality. If you let it go to more than 125k without a fluid change, the shift quality will be affected, and while a fluid change then will help, the damage is done and it will never be back to what it was.

[conrad325i]

How many quarts of trans oil should I get?

[dassub]

Yes, do it. I used Redline MTL in my old Audi and it improved shifting dramatically. I used Redline D4 in my E90 (the manual calls for ATF), and it improved shifting when cold.

[Casca]

I changed mine at 110kish with MTF-LL3 or whatever the actual # for the OEM fluid is for my car. It shifted fine before that and shifted fine after. I didn't really notice a difference. The fluid that came out looked good. Nice and clean, not watery like it was broken down. Pretty much same consistency as the new fluid. I don't actually know the fluids condition, but it looked just as good as the new fluid that went in. Maybe it didn't need to be changed, but I feel better that I changed it.