manual trans fluid change...opinions?

hockeyplayer · 10-03-2013, 09:37 AM

hi all,

My 2006 325xi is approaching 90,000 miles. Friday I am having the transfer case and differential fluid changed, just for some preventative maintenance.

When I made the appointment at my indy shop I also asked about changing the manual trans fluid. They said they would do it, but they don't recommend it, as it is not needed.

I fully trust my indy & taking my car there for items that I don't feel comfortable doing on my own. I could still request this service from them, but I really don't want to pay for this if its not needed. Just wanted to solicit opinions from others here.

thanks in advance

kunal_d · 10-03-2013, 01:17 PM

My indy said something similar to me. I told them to just take my money and change it!

Seriously though, I did feel a nice difference after all was said and done. I got the manual trans and diff fluid changed using OEM oil at around 70K miles. Even if it's "not needed" as they say the peace of mind is worth it to me.

Phil325i · 10-03-2013, 02:45 PM

I changed my MT fluid at less than half that mileage. Just do it!

hockeyplayer · 10-03-2013, 03:01 PM

Thanks for the input guys I will probably go ahead & get it done.

kaede · 10-03-2013, 03:27 PM

Do it. BMW and some european car brands say transmission fluid is "lifetime." Ya right, lifetime of the transmission before it blows up or develop problems. Change that thing ;D

calicolorado · 10-03-2013, 06:53 PM

I recommend doing it. It improved the shift feel in my car 50% I think. I used Redline D4 ATF (recommended in the manual gearbox) thought Redline MTL is another option. I have MTL in my 2002.

I highly recommend changing the fluid and I'll be doing it again when I hit 130K.

Efthreeoh · 10-03-2013, 10:09 PM

I changed mine at 90K and again at 160K. I've got 228K on the trans now and she's shifting smooth as silk. I used BMW trans oil MTL-3

NoTempoLimitN54 · 10-04-2013, 11:12 AM

I was doing some research about the manual trans fluid type (my trans uses MTF-LT-3). I found a ZF document (ZF is the transmission's manufacturer) that stated something along the lines of:

Quote:

"Lifetime transmission oil already exists for passenger cars, which have a lifetime of 200k - 250k km."

In other words, it's lifetime transmission fluid if you consider your car to be used-up junk headed for the salvage yard at just 124k - 155k miles.

I'd say changing the MT fluid at 50k miles interval maximum. This will preserve your shift quality. If you let it go to more than 125k without a fluid change, the shift quality will be affected, and while a fluid change then will help, the damage is done and it will never be back to what it was.

conrad325i · 10-07-2013, 03:52 PM

How many quarts of trans oil should I get?

dassub · 10-10-2013, 11:50 AM

Yes, do it. I used Redline MTL in my old Audi and it improved shifting dramatically. I used Redline D4 in my E90 (the manual calls for ATF), and it improved shifting when cold.

Casca · 10-11-2013, 04:52 AM

I changed mine at 110kish with MTF-LL3 or whatever the actual # for the OEM fluid is for my car. It shifted fine before that and shifted fine after. I didn't really notice a difference. The fluid that came out looked good. Nice and clean, not watery like it was broken down. Pretty much same consistency as the new fluid. I don't actually know the fluids condition, but it looked just as good as the new fluid that went in. Maybe it didn't need to be changed, but I feel better that I changed it.

10-03-2013, 09:37 AM	#1
hockeyplayer Captain 74 Rep 776 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2006 325xi Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	manual trans fluid change...opinions? hi all, My 2006 325xi is approaching 90,000 miles. Friday I am having the transfer case and differential fluid changed, just for some preventative maintenance. When I made the appointment at my indy shop I also asked about changing the manual trans fluid. They said they would do it, but they don't recommend it, as it is not needed. I fully trust my indy & taking my car there for items that I don't feel comfortable doing on my own. I could still request this service from them, but I really don't want to pay for this if its not needed. Just wanted to solicit opinions from others here. thanks in advance
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10-03-2013, 01:17 PM	#2
kunal_d First Lieutenant 17 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 08 335i 3 pedals Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	My indy said something similar to me. I told them to just take my money and change it! Seriously though, I did feel a nice difference after all was said and done. I got the manual trans and diff fluid changed using OEM oil at around 70K miles. Even if it's "not needed" as they say the peace of mind is worth it to me.
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10-03-2013, 02:45 PM	#3
Phil325i Brigadier General 639 Rep 3,215 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	I changed my MT fluid at less than half that mileage. Just do it! __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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10-03-2013, 03:01 PM	#4
hockeyplayer Captain 74 Rep 776 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2006 325xi Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the input guys I will probably go ahead & get it done.
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10-03-2013, 03:27 PM	#5
kaede Captain 83 Rep 734 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (0)	Do it. BMW and some european car brands say transmission fluid is "lifetime." Ya right, lifetime of the transmission before it blows up or develop problems. Change that thing ;D __________________ 94' NSX - Garage Queen 97' Integra Type R - Track Warrior (Sold) 01' BMW E39 M5 (Sold), 2x 02' BMW E39 M5 (Sold & sold) 08' E90 M3 6MT - DD 13' W212 E63 AMG Wagon
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10-03-2013, 06:53 PM	#6
calicolorado Second Lieutenant 165 Rep 275 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Comp 6-spd Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M5 [10.00] 1972 BMW 200/ [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 40i [10.00]	I recommend doing it. It improved the shift feel in my car 50% I think. I used Redline D4 ATF (recommended in the manual gearbox) thought Redline MTL is another option. I have MTL in my 2002. I highly recommend changing the fluid and I'll be doing it again when I hit 130K. __________________ 2015 M5 Comp 6-spd manual 1972 2002 2003 Audi TT Coupe 225 2011 Highlander 4WD
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10-03-2013, 10:09 PM	#7
Efthreeoh General 19194 Rep 19,722 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I changed mine at 90K and again at 160K. I've got 228K on the trans now and she's shifting smooth as silk. I used BMW trans oil MTL-3
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10-07-2013, 03:52 PM	#9
conrad325i Private First Class 12 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN iTrader: (0)	How many quarts of trans oil should I get? __________________ \| H&R Coilovers \|ApexArc-8s\| M3 ControlArms \| RogueTransMounts \| AFEDualCone \| ERChargePipe \| TialBOV \| ETSIntercooler \| 335isClutch \| BMSCatchCan \| UUC EVO3 SSK \| MichelinPSS \| CobbAP \| JB4 \|
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10-10-2013, 11:50 AM	#10
dassub Captain 63 Rep 965 Posts Drives: '14 328xi sport line Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 1981 Fiat 124 Spider [0.00] 2014 F30 BMW 328xi [0.00] 2006 E90 BMW 325i ( ... [0.00] 1988 Audi 90 Quattr ... [0.00]	Yes, do it. I used Redline MTL in my old Audi and it improved shifting dramatically. I used Redline D4 in my E90 (the manual calls for ATF), and it improved shifting when cold.
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10-11-2013, 04:52 AM	#11
Casca Captain 44 Rep 642 Posts Drives: E90 6MT Join Date: May 2010 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I changed mine at 110kish with MTF-LL3 or whatever the actual # for the OEM fluid is for my car. It shifted fine before that and shifted fine after. I didn't really notice a difference. The fluid that came out looked good. Nice and clean, not watery like it was broken down. Pretty much same consistency as the new fluid. I don't actually know the fluids condition, but it looked just as good as the new fluid that went in. Maybe it didn't need to be changed, but I feel better that I changed it.
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