AT oil question, would you?

soulcrusher · 05-06-2021, 03:39 PM

Hello!
Real personal question: Would you, or not, take the risk in changing the AT oil on a 100k 2007 335i?

Unknown if its been changed before.
I'm contemplating.

I've checked other posts, but I wanted to pose this question to the forum and see if your responses are divided or clear in this situation.

CTinline-six · 05-06-2021, 04:17 PM

I would 100% change the fluid. Doing a drain and fill and filter change will only help it's longevity since fluids break down over time. A power flush is what I would not do, just a simple drain and fill.

IllSic_Design · 05-06-2021, 05:58 PM

I changed mine at like 116k after I got the car. I'm at over 220k miles and still going strong.

YES, change it.

e91Owner · 05-12-2021, 01:28 AM

At 100k, yes. Although ZF recommends differently, BMW allowed that interval.

jericho_17 · 05-21-2021, 09:33 AM

change it i did it years ago in my 330i with the ZF transmission, i was starting to have rough shift first to second and some downshifts, after the pan(filter) and zf fluid change i workerd like new again, don' be afraid just be sure to use the correct fluid and follow the procedure to check the level

whyzee125 · 05-21-2021, 01:04 PM

Definitely do it. I did mine at 157k for the first time on my old car and it shifted like butter after

pak84 · 05-30-2021, 03:30 AM

Definitely YES. I changed mine on 230 000km. No issues. But it's a good idea to change the 4 seals of the mechatronic if you intend to drive the car longer. It will help the correct lubrication of the entire transmission.

simonpv · 06-07-2021, 11:45 AM

ZF keeps updating its recommended service intervals each year, it seems. This is from the most recent (01.04.2021 as in April 1) TE-ML 11 spec (https://aftermarket.zf.com/go/en/aft...on/lubricants/):

"5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as 4HP20 automatic transmissions:
ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed
semi-synthetic ATF oils. However, due to the many factors influencing the service life of transmissions in individual operation, ZF
recommends an oil change after 150,000 km for its transmissions. In operating conditions with high temperatures and loads, or
with unknown vehicle use in the past, it can make sense to change the transmission oil at shorter intervals.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the
relevant specifications. The exception is the ZF 5HP18 automatic transmission which must be filled differently depending on the
version."

Here's the same from the 2019 spec:

"5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as 4HP20 automatic transmissions:
ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed
partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high
operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. In case of above-average operating
conditions, such as:
- frequent freeway driving in the upper speed range
- offensive, sporty driving style
- frequent trailer operation
it is recommended to refresh (change) the oil of the automatic transmission every 100,000 km or no later than after 8 years.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the
relevant specifications."

I would definitely change it.

05-06-2021, 03:39 PM	#1
soulcrusher Private 12 Rep 65 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	AT oil question, would you? Hello! Real personal question: Would you, or not, take the risk in changing the AT oil on a 100k 2007 335i? Unknown if its been changed before. I'm contemplating. I've checked other posts, but I wanted to pose this question to the forum and see if your responses are divided or clear in this situation.
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05-06-2021, 04:17 PM	#2
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6947 Rep 3,017 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	I would 100% change the fluid. Doing a drain and fill and filter change will only help it's longevity since fluids break down over time. A power flush is what I would not do, just a simple drain and fill. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
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05-06-2021, 05:58 PM	#3
IllSic_Design Colonel 2111 Rep 2,759 Posts Drives: 12 E92 328i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	I changed mine at like 116k after I got the car. I'm at over 220k miles and still going strong. YES, change it.
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05-12-2021, 01:28 AM	#4
e91Owner e91Owner 441 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Out of the Office iTrader: (0)	At 100k, yes. Although ZF recommends differently, BMW allowed that interval.
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05-21-2021, 09:33 AM	#5
jericho_17 Private 15 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: El Salvador iTrader: (0)	change it i did it years ago in my 330i with the ZF transmission, i was starting to have rough shift first to second and some downshifts, after the pan(filter) and zf fluid change i workerd like new again, don' be afraid just be sure to use the correct fluid and follow the procedure to check the level
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05-21-2021, 01:04 PM	#6
whyzee125 Brigadier General 2075 Rep 4,133 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Definitely do it. I did mine at 157k for the first time on my old car and it shifted like butter after
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05-30-2021, 03:30 AM	#7
pak84 New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: X3 e83 Join Date: May 2021 Location: far iTrader: (0)	Definitely YES. I changed mine on 230 000km. No issues. But it's a good idea to change the 4 seals of the mechatronic if you intend to drive the car longer. It will help the correct lubrication of the entire transmission.
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06-07-2021, 11:45 AM	#8
simonpv Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2011 528i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	ZF keeps updating its recommended service intervals each year, it seems. This is from the most recent (01.04.2021 as in April 1) TE-ML 11 spec (https://aftermarket.zf.com/go/en/aft...on/lubricants/): "5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as 4HP20 automatic transmissions: ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed semi-synthetic ATF oils. However, due to the many factors influencing the service life of transmissions in individual operation, ZF recommends an oil change after 150,000 km for its transmissions. In operating conditions with high temperatures and loads, or with unknown vehicle use in the past, it can make sense to change the transmission oil at shorter intervals. In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevant specifications. The exception is the ZF 5HP18 automatic transmission which must be filled differently depending on the version." Here's the same from the 2019 spec: "5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as 4HP20 automatic transmissions: ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. In case of above-average operating conditions, such as: - frequent freeway driving in the upper speed range - offensive, sporty driving style - frequent trailer operation it is recommended to refresh (change) the oil of the automatic transmission every 100,000 km or no later than after 8 years. In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevant specifications." I would definitely change it.
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