03 BMW 330Ci Auto 63,900 Factory Fill

[shanneba]

Here is the first sample from my 2003 BMW 330 Ci auto trans ZF 5HP19. The factory fluid is reportedly ESSO LT 71141.

Code:


Factory Fill

Miles on oil 63900

Total miles 63900

Date 11/25/2008

Make up oil 0.0

Oil Brand Esso

Type LT 71141



Filter NA



ALUMINUM 62

CHROMIUM 0

IRON 88

COPPER 96

LEAD 27

TIN 7

MOLYBDENUM 0

NICKEL 1

MANGANESE 10

SILVER 0

TITANIUM 0

POTASSIUM 1

BORON 83

SILICON 11

SODIUM 10

CALCIUM 33

MAGNESIUM 2

PHOSPHORUS 260

ZINC 8

BARIUM 1



SUS @ 210F 48.8

cSt @ 100C 6.9

Flashpoint F 405.0

Fuel % -

Antifreeze % -

Water % 0.0

Insolubles % TR

TBN

TAN 1.5





Blackstone coments -

Universal averages show typical wear from this type of transmission after about 25K miles on the

oil. Your oil was run 63,900 miles, which is obviously quite a bit longer than average, but metals look good.

Aluminum is most out of line, probably from wear-in at the torque converter. We don't think it was a problem

to leave this oil in place 63K miles. Your next sample should show lower metals. The trace of insolubles

(solids) is fine. The TAN read 1.5, somewhat acidic. Not all oils start at a 0.0, so it helps to do a virgin

sample to see where the TAN starts.








I think this oil could have gone the BMW suggested 100,000 miles before a change.

I just did a drain and refill, about 5 quarts this time.
I used Red Line D4 fluid and plan to sample again about 80,000 miles with another drain / refill then actually replace the filter and refill at 100,000 miles.

 

[Blue T]

ZF recently changed their fluid change recommendations for their 5 and 6 speed automatics. They are now recommending an ATF change between 50,000 and 75,000 mi. for cars that are subject to severe use - sustained high speeds, hard, agressive driving or towing. Normal usage is still considered "maintainance free". One more step away from "lifetime fill". It will be interesting to see if BMW picks this up.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Blue T
ZF recently changed their fluid change recommendations for their 5 and 6 speed automatics. They are now recommending an ATF change between 50,000 and 75,000 mi. for cars that are subject to severe use - sustained high speeds, hard, agressive driving or towing. Normal usage is still considered "maintainance free". One more step away from "lifetime fill". It will be interesting to see if BMW picks this up.

On the BMW website, all of the Service and Warranty booklets now say 100,000 miles for the ATF service interval.

 

[Blue T]

You are correct that BMW says 100,000 mi. for ATF service but, as far as I can determine, ZF has always claimed lifetime fill until the October 2008 revision of their lubrications lists. Their new recommendation is actually 80,000 to 120,000 km. or 8 years for severe service. Many BMW's have GM transmissions. I don't know what GM,s recommendations are. So if you have a BMW with a ZF automatic and would like to change your ATF at 60,000 mi.(Inspection II), ZF has now given you an excuse to do so.

 

[shanneba]

My 2003 BMW owners manual states lifetime atf, no change required but in 2004 the BMW web site owners circle changed to show an atf fluid change at 100,000 miles. I figured it was at about twice what was really needed just like the 15525 mile oil changes.

 

[Blue T]

On my MY 2002 machine the Owner's Manual states for both manual and automatic transmissions, "Lifetime lubricant, no oil change required" but the Service and Warranty Information booklet states "Change ATF every 100,000 miles". Yours is probably the same. I agree, cut BMW's change intervals in half if you want your vehicle to last a long time.

 

[gtx510]

The GM trannies also used lifetime fills, but with a different ATF
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/chart.htm BMW ZF/GM tranny charts

I wonder how many trannies got replaced under warranty before BMW to a 100k interval.