[Beamer325xi]

Never been changed is it okay to change it now 180,000 miles?

[Dozhdbog]

No. When BMW says lifetime, they mean lifetime. If your car lasts 49218u345092138509-21835 miles you still shouldn't change it.

[Beamer325xi]

That's silly. That's so they can get you to put a we transmission in your car. They also say the life of the car is 100,000 miles so that's when the transmission fluid should be changed

[Dozhdbog]

I was being sarcastic.

[humbertob]

You better don't touch the trans at that mileage at all !

[Beamer325xi]

Oh haha funny funny. Did you catch my sarcasm? Anyways back to the question is 180,000 miles to late to change the fluid I've been have occasional Tough shifts. Doing plugs, coils and filters this week and the was think about having BMW do the tranny fluid and filter.

[mike-y]

yeah, you should change it. Note that the 325i uses a different transmission than the 328i, so the pan and fluid are different parts. Don't get the wrong ones.

[Beamer325xi]

Okay are the 325 I and xi the same I have the 325xi

[mike3000fl]

I wouldn't mess with it, with that many miles. Either way let us know how it turns out. I have 160,000 and am on the fence about an ATF change at this point.

[Beamer325xi]

Well I'm having occasional rough shifts and don't want to let it get worse idk I'm torn about to sell the car. I'm very disappointed i wanted to drive it to 250,000 at least. I drove a 2000 mustang v6 to 220,000 miles and still wasn't having major problems with it when I sold it. Never touch tranny on it either! Idk what to do!!!!!!

[mike3000fl]

Maybe it is just low. Have dealer top up and be done with it.

[Beamer325xi]

With the mileage I have been leaning toward new filter and pan/gasket and having them save the old fluid top off with new. I just have very low trust with the BMW dealers here in ohio!

[BOBKUR]

I would leave it alone. My indy said if they were not changed at 100,000 mi. to leave it as is.

[Beamer325xi]

I've had a bad engine temp sensor for about 7,000 miles could that cause rough shifting?

[bob.g]

no way. changing it this late is just asking for trouble.

[Beamer325xi]

Would using the same fluid me be fine with a new filter pan and gasket no flush.

[335okc]

change it but do not flush it. you could potentially get problem if you flush with that much mileage. you can change filter (and pan) relatively painless. i've DIY'd it.

[Beamer325xi]

Where's a good place to get the parts and are any special tools needed? Should anything be used to clean out any gunk in the transmission. And I've heard that if I do changed it with this many miles to do it again in about 5,000 miles because the fluid will still be nasty? Oh is it possible to check the fluid level with out going to BMW.

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by Beamer325xi

Where's a good place to get the parts and are any special tools needed? Should anything be used to clean out any gunk in the transmission. And I've heard that if I do changed it with this many miles to do it again in about 5,000 miles because the fluid will still be nasty? Oh is it possible to check the fluid level with out going to BMW.

you would have to jack the car perfectly level on four corners. Get tranny to exact temp for measuring (listed on sticker), then remove fill plug and add until it comes out.

[tennis_pr0]

Originally Posted by Beamer325xi

That's silly. That's so they can get you to put a we transmission in your car. They also say the life of the car is 100,000 miles so that's when the transmission fluid should be changed

who says the life of a bmw is 100k miles?

[fun2drive]

You would be wise to change the diffs the transfer case for damn sure and the transmission fluid and filter.
It will only help your transmission and transfer case last longer.
Remember your transfer case has 0.6L of special BMW fluid in it.
If you drain the pan and pull the pan, replace the filter, clean the metal off the magnets and make sure the pan is spotless with no lint on it you will not have any issues of failure. Refill using BMWs procedure which requires filling until the fluid weaps out the fill hole, insert the fill plug, start the engine and get the transmission to between 80-120F and then with the engine running refill again until weaping, done reinsert the plug.
Oh I think your front diff is also only 0.6L but not absolutely certain on that one and the rear is around 1.1L.
I did this on my M3 with 284K miles and never had an issue, friend that now owns it says it is going strong...

[Beamer325xi]

Dealer done transfer case a while back