2006 E91 with ZF auto - should I replace solenoids when servicing transmission?

smatanovic · 04-25-2022, 11:13 AM

My car is an early production 2006 with 187k miles, and shifting is becoming more rough, and throws an occasional transmission code. I am going to do a transmission service soon, replacing mechatronic seals, plan, and fluid. Given that I will have the valve body off the car to do the seals, is it worth also replacing the mechatronic solenoids preemptively? Seems worthwhile to me. Thoughts?

Suvorovo · 04-28-2022, 02:58 PM

For $400 vs replacing a whole transmission, I'd do it. 187k miles is already quite a lot for your AT. If your transmission is indeed broken, you can always transfer the solenoids to the used replacement.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...298044#fitment

smatanovic · 04-29-2022, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suvorovo

For $400 vs replacing a whole transmission, I'd do it. 187k miles is already quite a lot for your AT. If your transmission is indeed broken, you can always transfer the solenoids to the used replacement.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...298044#fitment

Thanks. I ordered them yesterday!

Suvorovo · 04-29-2022, 05:45 PM

Confirm with FCP Euro and Real-OEM if those solenoids fit your vehicle VIN. I had some issue with with what was listed vs actual fitment for some other parts. Never hurts to ask. They're pretty responsive.

smatanovic · 04-30-2022, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suvorovo

Confirm with FCP Euro and Real-OEM if those solenoids fit your vehicle VIN. I had some issue with with what was listed vs actual fitment for some other parts. Never hurts to ask. They're pretty responsive.

Thanks, I did that before ordering.

smatanovic · 05-19-2022, 08:52 AM

Did this job on the weekend, struggled with the mechatronic sleeve and fill plug, given the proximity to the front drive shaft.

Also, I forgot to align the shifter rod when reinstalling the valve body, so had to drop the mechatronic a second time, and in the process stripped a couple of bolts (despite using a torque wrench and correct torque specs). I ended up having to tow the car to the dealer to extract the stripped bolts and button everything up.

For anyone else doing this, be careful, the bolts are soft!

Suvorovo · 05-20-2022, 04:27 PM

Oh man, those bolts should have been easy to remove with an extractor kit!! Did you use new bolts?

smatanovic · 05-21-2022, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suvorovo

Oh man, those bolts should have been easy to remove with an extractor kit!! Did you use new bolts?

The bolts that stripped were three of the bolts that hold the valve body to the transmission. They did replace the stripped bolts with new ones, and yes I used a new bolt set for the pan.

Ive only driven about 40 miles, but so far the car shifts significantly better than before.We'll see once the transmission has relearned adaptations, but so far I am thrilled with the result.

M-technik-3 · 05-21-2022, 11:01 AM

Glad to hear it helped resolve the hard shifting issues.

smatanovic · 05-21-2022, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Glad to hear it helped resolve the hard shifting issues.

Thanks!

M-technik-3 · 05-21-2022, 01:15 PM

Now you need to post a photo of it in the E91 Picture thread

smatanovic · 05-23-2022, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Now you need to post a photo of it in the E91 Picture thread

Will do. Need to do some spring cleaning first...

whyzee125 · 05-23-2022, 11:31 AM

The most important thing, IMO, is use ONLY ZF LIFEGUARD 6. It will NOT shift right with any other fluid and if you have some clutch wear, which you likely do given the mileage, it will exacerbate it even more. No redline, LM1800, Maxlife, etc.

Good luck! Should shift like brand new when done.

smatanovic · 05-23-2022, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

The most important thing, IMO, is use ONLY ZF LIFEGUARD 6. It will NOT shift right with any other fluid and if you have some clutch wear, which you likely do given the mileage, it will exacerbate it even more. No redline, LM1800, Maxlife, etc.

Good luck! Should shift like brand new when done.

The FCP rebuild kit I bought came with ZF fluid, and yes, it shifts incredibly smoothly!

04-25-2022, 11:13 AM	#1
smatanovic First Lieutenant 199 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2022 i4 eDrive 40 mSport Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: The 215 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 i4 eDrive40 [0.00]	2006 E91 with ZF auto - should I replace solenoids when servicing transmission? My car is an early production 2006 with 187k miles, and shifting is becoming more rough, and throws an occasional transmission code. I am going to do a transmission service soon, replacing mechatronic seals, plan, and fluid. Given that I will have the valve body off the car to do the seals, is it worth also replacing the mechatronic solenoids preemptively? Seems worthwhile to me. Thoughts?
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04-28-2022, 02:58 PM	#2
Suvorovo Lieutenant 281 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Creaky e90 330xi 6MT Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	For $400 vs replacing a whole transmission, I'd do it. 187k miles is already quite a lot for your AT. If your transmission is indeed broken, you can always transfer the solenoids to the used replacement. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...298044#fitment Last edited by Suvorovo; 04-28-2022 at 03:13 PM..
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04-29-2022, 05:45 PM	#4
Suvorovo Lieutenant 281 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Creaky e90 330xi 6MT Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Confirm with FCP Euro and Real-OEM if those solenoids fit your vehicle VIN. I had some issue with with what was listed vs actual fitment for some other parts. Never hurts to ask. They're pretty responsive.
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05-19-2022, 08:52 AM	#6
smatanovic First Lieutenant 199 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2022 i4 eDrive 40 mSport Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: The 215 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 i4 eDrive40 [0.00]	Did this job on the weekend, struggled with the mechatronic sleeve and fill plug, given the proximity to the front drive shaft. Also, I forgot to align the shifter rod when reinstalling the valve body, so had to drop the mechatronic a second time, and in the process stripped a couple of bolts (despite using a torque wrench and correct torque specs). I ended up having to tow the car to the dealer to extract the stripped bolts and button everything up. For anyone else doing this, be careful, the bolts are soft!
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05-20-2022, 04:27 PM	#7
Suvorovo Lieutenant 281 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Creaky e90 330xi 6MT Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Oh man, those bolts should have been easy to remove with an extractor kit!! Did you use new bolts?
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05-21-2022, 11:01 AM	#9
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2468 Rep 1,640 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	Glad to hear it helped resolve the hard shifting issues.
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05-21-2022, 01:15 PM	#11
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2468 Rep 1,640 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	Now you need to post a photo of it in the E91 Picture thread
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05-23-2022, 11:31 AM	#13
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1995 Rep 4,028 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	The most important thing, IMO, is use ONLY ZF LIFEGUARD 6. It will NOT shift right with any other fluid and if you have some clutch wear, which you likely do given the mileage, it will exacerbate it even more. No redline, LM1800, Maxlife, etc. Good luck! Should shift like brand new when done.
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