[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mecbain

Actually if I understand correctly I have a choice between

1. Pay 450$ take a chance that it will fail now, however it's not guaranteed that it will fail, if it doesn't fail and all is good than actually it wont fail eventually anymore...

2. Don't do nothing, wait for it to start slipping or other issues, try to fix the problem by changing oil than, which can either help and improve the problem, or make it worse...


Not much of a choice, but I understand I brought this on myself.... I'll just have to go with a choice and live with the consequences of that ...

Basically, thought its definitely a little more gray than that.

[JDane07]

Interesting. I was just thinking about knocking out a tranny service after recently passing 100k miles. I've never done it in the 60k miles I've owned the car, but maybe now I'll hold off?

[fravel]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

$450? for a few quarts of ATF and a filter?

does that come with lube? oh yeah, it does.

The filter is integral to the trans pan. If you want to change the filter, you've got to get a whole new pan. The ZF fluid goes for $20/liter itself.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by fravel

The filter is integral to the trans pan. If you want to change the filter, you've got to get a whole new pan. The ZF fluid goes for $20/liter itself.

I was informed this should be done at the second round, around 120K miles (filter replacement) but not the first, per my local Indie.

[fravel]

I tend to be of the opinion that using an old filter with new fluids is like wiping your ass with used toilet paper. Either way, I was just explaining why the cost is so high for a "fluid/filter change"... and that is because it's not *just* a fluid/filter change - you gotta buy a new trans pan.

[bimmerquick43321]

btw it's 450$+ for me because I'm from Canada and also including 100$ for the time spend by the garage on it, so expect the kit from ECS that's like 229$+60$shipping = 290$ + conversion to canadian dollar close to 350$, and that's if I'm lucky and customs wont charge me crazy tax... so for some of you guys it's not that bad cost wise...

[E90joee]

So would it be safe to do mine now? I just hit 68k the other day

[Needbmwpartzz]

Be a test rat.....just change it and report back.....if it's all good maybe not a bad idea.....if it fails then I will certainly not change mine
I'm selfish I know!!!

[Calluhan]

I changed mine on purchasing the car - at 150,000 miles......

Take a look here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1105836

The oil was dirty, but no debris on the magnets and no 'burnt' smell to the oil.

I also did a transmission adaptation reset using DIS / GT1. This immediately fixed the sharp change in sport mode.

The car has now covered a further 5000 miles, transmission still works flawlessly and smoothly.

Of course I suppose it depends on how the car was driven previously - mine was used as a privately owned company car and spent it's life on the motorway / highway.

According to the blurb that came with my genuine ZF kit, ZF recommend a change every 60,000 miles. Hope that helps?

[bimmerquick43321]

I'll make sure to report back here if I decide to do it, which there's a good chance I will, thanks for feedback.

[StealYourFace]

Why not meet in the middle, drain half the fluid and put fresh in. At least then you have half fresh fluid bringing new life to what is in there, better heat dissipation ext.

[Dracon]

I changed the tranny oil on my 2006 E90 at 100k miles. Replaced the pan (filter integrated), mechatronics sleeve (they are known for leaking) and all new fluid (ZF Lifetime 6 since I have a ZF Transmission).

I'm at 133k miles now and haven't had any transmission issues at all, it actually made the transmission shift a little better and respond better.

[Donlin]

Originally Posted by mecbain

I'll make sure to report back here if I decide to do it, which there's a good chance I will, thanks for feedback.

Please do but I doubt there will be nothing bad to report.

[dbond]

I changed the transmission fluid on my '06 E90 325i at around 112k miles. Along with the fluid pan/filter and sleeve were replaced. It's been more than a year and 12k miles since the change - no problems. Car was shifting hard before the change. It's more or less cured now.

[Wilt]

BMW NA used to have a lifetime transmission fluid status on the E90, but officially changed to a AT fluid change every 100K miles as of May 2009. So the great fear of 'do not change at 120K if you skipped 60K' certainly does not seem to influence BMW policy change!

CHANGE fluid, but do not do a 'FLUSH'!

[WallyF]

I have a 2006 325xi with 90,000 miles. My tranny has a leak in the rear and I am going to replace the pan/filter, gasket and medtronic sleeve. I am not going to do a flush just replace these parts.

After reading this blog and others, should I just re-use the original ATF if it smells and looks OK????

If I don't do a flush, how many liters of ATF do I need? Bavauto says 6 liters.

Thanks

wally

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by WallyF

I have a 2006 325xi with 90,000 miles. My tranny has a leak in the rear and I am going to replace the pan/filter, gasket and medtronic sleeve. I am not going to do a flush just replace these parts.

After reading this blog and others, should I just re-use the original ATF if it smells and looks OK????

If I don't do a flush, how many liters of ATF do I need? Bavauto says 6 liters.

Thanks

wally

No way, change the fluid.

You can't tell if it's good by smelling the fluid and I guarantee it will be worn out by 90,000 miles.

[Blueeyesredpanda]

Originally Posted by WallyF

After reading this blog and others, should I just re-use the original ATF if it smells and looks OK????

If I don't do a flush, how many liters of ATF do I need? Bavauto says 6 liters.

Do you reuse your engine oil if it smells and look OK????

Why would you think the oil will look OK after 90k miles?

You dont need to flush anything. Drain the oil > change the filter, O ring, gasket and new drain plug > Refill oil > warm up the transmission and shift through gears > Fill up more oil until it drips > Tighten NEW fill plug > DONE

You need about 6L that's all, I would get two 5L jugs, so you can do a drain and fill with the remaining 4L after 5k miles

[rjahl]

Follow up

There is a procedure for filling the ZF gearbox and the temperature is pretty critical.

Its pretty well known that the friction modifiers in the ZF fluid is warn out by 60,000 miles. Fluid will look good but the clutches will not work correctly. Specifically 4>3 downshift under load starts to "bark" you may not hear it in a salon but a convertible against a freeway, that's another story.

[Needbmwpartzz]

i did my change at 100k and had clunky shifts before and after nice and smooth to date...but YMMv.
just realized....old post...ugh!

[iahawkeye]

Originally Posted by rjahl

Follow up

There is a procedure for filling the ZF gearbox and the temperature is pretty critical.

Its pretty well known that the friction modifiers in the ZF fluid is warn out by 60,000 miles. Fluid will look good but the clutches will not work correctly. Specifically 4>3 downshift under load starts to "bark" you may not hear it in a salon but a convertible against a freeway, that's another story.

+1 for checking the temp, cheap IR thermometers are all over the internet.


Also, the ZF definitely runs better with ~60k mile change intervals. I couldn't hear a bark in my e92, but downshifts were noticeably choppier at that point vs when I had first got the car with ~45k miles and the factory fill.

I've changed it myself at ~65k and it was definitely ready to change, everything was much smoother afterwards. For kicks I did the change a little early at 50k miles this year and it was less noticeable in terms of improving from rough to smooth shifting, and the fluid was lighter in color. So 60k is the way to go, which is per ZF's spec anyways.

And yeah, old ass post, but everyone loves to talk about tranny's and tranny juice

[jynxgk]

Old post, but since I was looking for info on my new-to-me E90, it's very, very much appreciated.

Mine's a bit rough shifting in and out of neutral. When I take the car in for annual service in the Spring, I might ask their opinion on transmission fluid. Good to hear it worked for you