[bimmerquick43321]

K I was thinking of changing the transmission oil and possibly the filter oil pan assembly in the same time.

So I've called my garage and they mentioned something that I saw people discuss here as well, that I'm kind of taking a big risk changing the oil @110 000miles as it never was changed before.....

Why do I want to change it, I think that when it's really hot outside shifts are more difficult....

So what do I do? I take the chance of having issues after I change the oil ? Or I live with it as is and take it "easy" on the transmission when it's hotter outside?

Have you guys heard or anyone actually having issues after an automatic transmission oil flush?

[e90ben]

Had the same discussion with a local shop here in Vancouver.

There thinking was if it aint broke dont fix it.

Caught say if anyone has or hasnt had issues post fluid change

[bimmerquick43321]

and btw this might sound as a stupid question, but shouldn't the shifts speed slightly improve with newer oil because of better lubrication or no correlation at all?

[TheSt|G]

Generally, if you didn't change it at the proper 60k intervals, you are running a high risk of failing it by changing the fluid. I would let it run its course and fail when it inevitably will.

[e90ben]

Originally Posted by mecbain

and btw this might sound as a stupid question, but shouldn't the shifts speed slightly improve with newer oil because of better lubrication or no correlation at all?

I would assume so, like you...then again IDK

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Generally, if you didn't change it at the proper 60k intervals, you are running a high risk of failing it by changing the fluid. I would let it run its course and fail when it inevitably will.

Well that's depressing lol...

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by mecbain

Well that's depressing lol...

ouch...

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Generally, if you didn't change it at the proper 60k intervals, you are running a high risk of failing it by changing the fluid. I would let it run its course and fail when it inevitably will.

Confirmed and agreed with. I confirmed with two local indies and a shop manager I know at a local dealership.

They said, and I quote "If you do not do it near or around 60K, do not bother doing it at all".

They explained some technical reason with the gearing, any shavings, sludge blah blah blah, but I could not focus nor keep track of what they were saying.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

Confirmed and agreed with. I confirmed with two local indies and a shop manager I know at a local dealership.

They said, and I quote "If you do not do it near or around 60K, do not bother doing it at all".

They explained some technical reason with the gearing, any shavings, sludge blah blah blah, but I could not focus nor keep track of what they were saying.

ATF is a detergent, so all the sludge/particulate matter that has built up in the last 110,000 miles of deferred maintenance has a high likelihood of breaking free and clogging the passageways of the auto trans.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

ATF is a detergent, so all the sludge/particulate matter that has built up in the last 110,000 miles of deferred maintenance has a high likelihood of breaking free and clogging the passageways of the auto trans.

Yes! That sounds familiar.

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

Confirmed and agreed with. I confirmed with two local indies and a shop manager I know at a local dealership.

They said, and I quote "If you do not do it near or around 60K, do not bother doing it at all".

They explained some technical reason with the gearing, any shavings, sludge blah blah blah, but I could not focus nor keep track of what they were saying.

K so I read a little bit on the subject and I actually haven't found any example of someone doing a tranny oil change and experienced issues afterwards, even those done at high millage... however most people will agree with what's already been said above, some have a different way saying no matter the millage it shouldn't be an issue.....

The thing is that I put a lot of millage on the car... so if I keep it for like 2 more years it will be at 140k miles.... will it last untill I sell it lol....

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

ATF is a detergent, so all the sludge/particulate matter that has built up in the last 110,000 miles of deferred maintenance has a high likelihood of breaking free and clogging the passageways of the auto trans.

So I guess that if I do decide to take the chance, changing the filter/pan is a must to put as much as possible chances on my side of not breaking, by removing maybe some sludge that was lodged in the filter/pan...

[hassmaschine]

change the fluid. a "flush" is different from simply draining and refilling.

transmissions don't have combustion byproducts so the oils tend to last a lot longer.

[bimmerquick43321]

it's not cheap either around 450$ if I order the kit from ECS (vaio not even the bmw one) + do the oil/filter change at the garage, again the price is because of shipping/taxes/exchange rate

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

change the fluid. a "flush" is different from simply draining and refilling.

transmissions don't have combustion byproducts so the oils tend to last a lot longer.

A flush is different, but that doesn't change the impact of placing fresh detergent in an aged environment.

Ultimately, do what you like. Either choice will fail eventually.

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

A flush is different, but that doesn't change the impact of placing fresh detergent in an aged environment.

Ultimately, do what you like. Either choice will fail eventually.

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 ...

[Taskmaster]

I heard that it was a myth.

It started when people who had transmission issues, changed the fluid thinking it would help, and it failed anyways. Natrually, they blamed it on the flush.

Who knows, but if it's not broken...

[ellinara]

I did my transmission at around the same milage as you on my 328xi. Shifts are much better and precise all the while getting rid of a kicking issue that I had. Just make sure that you use Dexron 6 if you have the GM Transmission. You might also have a problem finding a transmission filter this is because it is supposedly a lifetime part. The part number for the transmission filter is 24117593565 (again for the GM Transmission).

But again if you are not having problems why bother?
Anyways hope this helps.

[shadow191]

Everyone's "heard" of someone who had their transmission fail after changing the fluid at high miles, but there's not a ton of first hand experience with that. I think someone posted a few months back on the forum that he changed his transmission fluid and he was at higher mileage than you.

I'd personally change it if you're already having shifting issues. What do you have to lose? Transmission fluid expands as it heats up so that may be part of the reason your shifting is sluggish. Or it may have nothing to do with the fluid since the valve body just pushes fluid through solenoids and ports to do all the shifting. Define difficult shifting - does it hesitate or is something slipping?

If you do change your fluid, check the condition of your old fluid. If it looks new, you're probably fine. But if it's already burnt, then your transmission is on it's way out. Heat is what kills most transmissions.

[bimmerquick43321]

Reasons why I want to change the oil:
1. When hot outside (not crazy hot), I find it shifts a little bit harder and high rpms shifts when @WOT takes longer when comparing to colder days.
2. Since 6-8 months I find it shifts rougher in general, nothing major and this could maybe be fixed by a transmission reset that I can do with the OFT
3. Winters get pretty cold here, I thought it would be good for the transmission to have some recent oil in there (that being said I always let the car heat up before leaving with it and go very easy on it until it reaches optimal temperature).
4. I think I'll keep the car for more than anticipated and I also seem to put on it much more millage than expected... so to avoid future problems

Not really experiencing any slipping...

Now none of the above reasons are not enough to take a "BIG" risk and create additional more important problems, however if the risk is minimal.... might be worth it...

And yes inside me I hope this will make it shift faster when hot days so I stop losing so much ground when the AT shifts and racing... (but I know that might have nothing to do with the oil, I'm just "hoping".

BTW this is the kit I want to buy:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-330...Kit/ES2771511/

[fravel]

I opted to change my fluid/filter around that same mileage. I didn't own the car at the 60k mark so I can't comment on that. Why? Preventative maintenance. No problems to report so far (~12k miles since).

[hassmaschine]

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 ...

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

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