[KASPA]

Hi guys. I know BMW say the transmission fluid never needs to be changed but I feel in needs changing. The car is a nightmare to get into gear from neutral, gets slightly better as it warms up. What oil would I need to replace it with? Thickness, brand etc....

Thanks

[foxy-stoat]

Got this on mine when cold.....I normally have to get 5th, then 4th then 1st.

Will be doing a gear oil change soon and CDV mod to see if it makes any difference, probably wont tho.

As for which oil, I would think quote your reg number at the dealers and they should be able to tell you exactly what you need.

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by KASPA

Hi guys. I know BMW say the transmission fluid never needs to be changed but I feel in needs changing. The car is a nightmare to get into gear from neutral, gets slightly better as it warms up. What oil would I need to replace it with? Thickness, brand etc....

Thanks

Sigh.....BMW's 'lifetime oil' nonsense is just a ruse to make service costs appear cheaper for the 1st 3-5 yrs.

ZF, the manufacturer or most if not all gearboxes for the current models offers a service pack: which includes: oil, gaskets, filters etc.

Your local dealer will know the correct oil for your car. It is probably made by Castrol and you could also check with them or speak to Opie Oils. You might need to check if there is any serial number on the box. Also try putting the last 7 digits of the car's vin into www.realoem.com and find the gearbox model / gear box oil that way.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by KASPA

Hi guys. I know BMW say the transmission fluid never needs to be changed but I feel in needs changing. The car is a nightmare to get into gear from neutral, gets slightly better as it warms up. What oil would I need to replace it with? Thickness, brand etc....

Thanks

The damage is probably already done.
Changing oil may not do a lot.

[mistryn]

Have a look here
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634415

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

The damage is probably already done.
Changing oil may not do a lot.

Agreed.........how many miles has this car covered?? Getting it into gear should be easy.

[KASPA]

Hi thanks for the replies guys. The car has just covered 115,000. The gear selection, changes are perfect once fully warmed up. What damage could've been done?

[Falmouthboy]

No doubt about it - this is what you need

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=45&pcid=7

It turned my 130i into a different car.

[richieblade]

Hi guys, I just spoke to main stealers in ruislip and they sell the OE gearbox oil at £18.33 + vat per litre
Which is good in my opinion, I will have way more peace of mind knowing BMWs actual product is in my gearbox.

[foxy-stoat]

Originally Posted by richieblade

I will have way more peace of mind knowing BMWs actual product is in my gearbox.

Would that be from the same company who say the gearbox is a sealed for life unit and never needs gear oil renewed, and the same company who said there wasn't an issue with the security on E90/2/3 cars and the same company that denied there was cracking issues with MV3/4 alloys......do BMW actual make the oil or just put their sticker on someone else's oil???

Update the thread once the oil is changed to see if there is any improvement

[GP87]

Carried out the transmission fluid, diff fluid during the festive period, as I was reaching my 30,000 interval. I run Redline D6 ATF for the gearbox, and changes are like a warm knife through butter.

The shit that came out from the transmission and diff was rank after 30k. I wouldn't buy into BMW's 'lifetime fluids' rubbish if you plan on keeping your car for a while.

I tend to buy my stuff from these guys as they are a 5 minute drive from my parents' in Cheshire, as well as being a highly knowledgeable bunch-

http://www.advantage-motorsport.co.uk

Also, removing the CDV is the way to go. However I would recommend doing this when you flush your brake fluid, and bleed all the air upstream back to the brake fluid reservoir. Your clutch will be so much more firmer.

Hope this helps!

[richieblade]

Originally Posted by foxy-stoat

Would that be from the same company who say the gearbox is a sealed for life unit and never needs gear oil renewed, and the same company who said there wasn't an issue with the security on E90/2/3 cars and the same company that denied there was cracking issues with MV3/4 alloys......do BMW actual make the oil or just put their sticker on someone else's oil???

Update the thread once the oil is changed to see if there is any improvement

Yeah mate but thats very few problems for an otherwise reliable company, I think all car companies have issues, I will definitely update u once done but will be in a week or so.

[richieblade]

Have you guys got any tips on how to do the gear box oil as some people say to fill with engine running but I doubt that as i have the manual. Any ideas

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by richieblade

Have you guys got any tips on how to do the gear box oil as some people say to fill with engine running but I doubt that as i have the manual. Any ideas

No! Don't do it! Running the engine with no oil in the gearbox is a recipe for disaster. Where do these crazy ideas come from?

Guide here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80198