[Nhe261]

If I do the 3 times ATF drop and fill with the filter change, when shoudl I change the filter? the first drop or the last?
Thanks.

[F32Fleet]

ZF doesn't specifically require a full fluid exchange. The unit is good for ~200k miles with pan drop and 6 liters of LG6 every 50-60k miles.

Otherwise install new pan on your third exchange.

[HFELIU]

Originally Posted by Nhe261

If I do the 3 times ATF drop and fill with the filter change, when shoudl I change the filter? the first drop or the last?
Thanks.

What exactly is a "3 times Drop"?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by HFELIU

What exactly is a "3 times Drop"?

Pan drop is a fluid change which only replaces the ATF which pours out when the pan is removed and not the fluid which is trapped in the torque converter. The idea is that if they do a pan drop three times then most of the original fluid will have been removed via mixing/dilution with the new ATF. It's tremendously wasteful because of all the "new" ATF which is being thrown away.

It can be expensive but users usually use a cheap ATF which has a generic approval for the transmission in question.

[pgaplayerless]

Originally Posted by Socom

Pan drop is a fluid change which only replaces the ATF which pours out when the pan is removed and not the fluid which is trapped in the torque converter. The idea is that if they do a pan drop three times then most of the original fluid will have been removed via mixing/dilution with the new ATF. It's tremendously wasteful because of all the "new" ATF which is being thrown away.

It can be expensive but users usually use a cheap ATF which has a generic approval for the transmission in question.

Then you have cheap generic ATF inside your torque converter that you wont be getting out......

This is why slushboxes are inferior when it gets to maintenance.

[HFELIU]

Originally Posted by Socom

Pan drop is a fluid change which only replaces the ATF which pours out when the pan is removed and not the fluid which is trapped in the torque converter. The idea is that if they do a pan drop three times then most of the original fluid will have been removed via mixing/dilution with the new ATF. It's tremendously wasteful because of all the "new" ATF which is being thrown away.

It can be expensive but users usually use a cheap ATF which has a generic approval for the transmission in question.

Yea that's pretty much what I figured, it did sound wasteful to me too.
I just recently did the trans fluid change and just removed the drain plug and got out about 5 quarts, then refilled it back up with new fluid, the few ounces of fluid trapped in the TC can't possibly make that much of a difference when compared to all the fresh, new fluid that was just put in the Transmission (about 95%).
Only reason I can see to do a pan drop is if installing a new transmission pan and changing the filter.

[pgaplayerless]

Originally Posted by HFELIU

Yea that's pretty much what I figured, it did sound wasteful to me too.
I just recently did the trans fluid change and just removed the drain plug and got out about 5 quarts, then refilled it back up with new fluid, the few ounces of fluid trapped in the TC can't possibly make that much of a difference when compared to all the fresh, new fluid that was just put in the Transmission (about 95%).
Only reason I can see to do a pan drop is if installing a new transmission pan and changing the filter.

haaaa there's about 2 quarts in the torque converter if not more....

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by pgaplayerless

Then you have cheap generic ATF inside your torque converter that you wont be getting out......

This is why slushboxes are inferior when it gets to maintenance.

Or it's why cheap@sses have transmission problems when they think they know better than the transmission manufacturer (ZF in this case).

The fact remains that the transmission will last longer than many other parts of the vehicle.

200k miles (16 years @ 12k/yr) off a pan drop every 50-60k miles is pretty good IMO.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Socom

Or it's why cheap@sses have transmission problems when they think they know better than the transmission manufacturer (ZF in this case).

The fact remains that the transmission will last longer than many other parts of the vehicle.

200k miles (16 years @ 12k/yr) off a pan drop every 50-60k miles is pretty good IMO.

So far this cheap a$$ is doing pretty good. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

So far this cheap a$$ is doing pretty good. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729

Uh huh. And who will get top dollar for their car at time of resale? The seller with receipts for ZF parts and fluid OR the seller with the "wink and a nod" multi-spec generic?

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Socom

Uh huh. And who will get top dollar for their car at time of resale? The seller with receipts for ZF parts and fluid OR the seller with the "wink and a nod" multi-spec generic?

Resale? I plan on keeping it until the wheels fall off (or the transmission dies) Especially since BMW got rid of the inline 6.

Also, most buyers don't really care about ZF parts/fluids, what they care about is that you maintained your car and how does it ride.