Looking for Opinions on ATF change on BMWs

[cutlassvillager]

My transmission went out in my 1998 328is at 84k miles. It was rebuilt at that time. I am now at 113k and thinking its time for a fluid change. I work at a BMW dealer and most techs seem to go along BMWs recommendations of not changing the fluid stating it could start slipping/other problems. They even save the old fluid when changing a leaking pan gasket and fill it back up with the oil fluid.

I would like this rebuild to last a long time, hence the fluid change. I would probably just buy the gaskets and filter and do a pan drop (there's actually 2 pans on the GM trans in my car). This transmission specs Dex 3.

Also, my parents have a 2006 325ci (E46) that has about 36,000 miles on it. They are planning on keeping this car for a while so I was thinking a fluid change in this wouldn't be a bad idea either. I figure if we keep changing it at a decent interval it is less likely to have a problem with fluid changes down the road.

I change my parents' cars (2002 Subaru WRX auto, 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid CVT, Mercury Villager etc) at regular intervals so it seems to make sense to do the BMW at the same sort of interval.

Anyone have any experience changing the trans fluid in their BMW? What are the change intervals you use?

 

[EricF]

I put Redline D4 into my friends 04 325i. Shifts like a dream and runs like a thorobred!

 

[kschachn]

Well, I've had a lot of experience changing out the transmission fluid (and every other fluid FWIW) on my old BMW. I did the same thing as you are thinking, I changed out the gasket and the fill and drain plug gaskets too. Plus the transmission filter. Since my car specs Dex III too I used Mobil 1 ATF and it has worked great as far as I know. It's what I use in the Sienna too for the past 250,000+ miles and so far no problems whatsoever. I change it out about every 50,000 miles or so, give or take.

Some BMWs like mine have very specific methods for setting the fluid level. You may want to make sure you know how to do it before starting, if yours needs a special method.

 

[cutlassvillager]

Thanks for the input! I think I will just do a drain and fill for the time being on these two transmission as they both only have approx 30k on the fluid and filter.

Yeah thanks for the heads up on the fill procedure. It seems the procedure for these two vehicles is to fill the trans back up to the fill hole (when it starts dribbling out). Start up the car and let it run till the transmission temp is approx 100-110 (hot, but not burning to the touch), shift thru the positions P-R-N-D etc., then take out the fill plug and add more (usually 1-2 qts) until it starts coming out again.

 

[gomes512]

I'm unsure how the fill hole on these is designed or positioned. But whenever I have the pan off for the first time I stick a suitably sized piece of clear hose in the fill hole and feed it until I can see where it comes down into the pan. Just to check it's feeding through into the pan and not hitting anything.

From that point on I don't bother crawling under the car anymore. Just attach a cheap fluid pump and pump 3 or so quarts out. Fill back with exactly the same amount. I don't touch the pan and filter until 75k or so.

Makes it easy to keep the fluid fresh. Good luck with the new trans.

 

[huffmuds9320]

I help my friend change the filter and atf on his 01 325i with the ZF 5HP19 transmission. Used Redline D4 atf and shifts smoothly, used to have a bit of hesitation between shifts and slight delay when reverse. It wasn't that difficult of a job just kind of messy. 2 person job makes it easier especially when filling/checking the fluid.

I place the car on 4 jackstands so its level when filling/checking. It took a total of around 6.5 quarts, I pump the fluid through the fill hole using one of those bottle pumps that screw onto the bottle. Probably could have used tubing and funnel so easier to pour fluid into the fill hole. Basically just fill fluid until it spills out of the hole, start car continue filling until it spills out again. Screw the fill plug back in, shift through all the gears, remove fill plug pump more fluid in until it spills out. When the pan feels warm to the touch pull fill plug, if fluid comes on then level is fine. If not then pump more fluid until it comes out, put fill plug back on and its done. It was kind of difficult screwing the fill plug back in quickly as its kind of in a recessed location.

 

[KenO]

AS long as you have a way to check the fluid level and get the 'full' correct - don't hesitate, just change it!

 

[Donald]

+1. Your car will run better, and smell better with new ATF.

 

[cutlassvillager]

I went ahead and did the drain and fill on my 98. I used Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

I did end up following this procedure:
Quote:
I place the car on 4 jackstands so its level when filling/checking. It took a total of around 6.5 quarts, I pump the fluid through the fill hole using one of those bottle pumps that screw onto the bottle. Probably could have used tubing and funnel so easier to pour fluid into the fill hole. Basically just fill fluid until it spills out of the hole, start car continue filling until it spills out again. Screw the fill plug back in, shift through all the gears, remove fill plug pump more fluid in until it spills out. When the pan feels warm to the touch pull fill plug, if fluid comes on then level is fine. If not then pump more fluid until it comes out, put fill plug back on and its done. It was kind of difficult screwing the fill plug back in quickly as its kind of in a recessed location.


After my transmission was rebuilt it had a slight vibration in second gear under moderate/full throttle. That vibration is gone and the shifts seem smoother. I'm guessing the rebuild shop didn't do the proper refill procedure leaving the trans a quart low causing the vibration?

The fluid came out a little dark, although still red and not burnt.

I have another jug of Maxlife for another drain and fill in a few thousand miles.

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Pentonsin ATF1 is another suggestion.

 

[mikeinaustin]

some of these cars state the fluids (atf in this case) are for the life of the vehicle. i'm sure they mean the warranty lifetime + a little wiggle room as opposed to my view that it be > 180k miles and you have your views as well.

my truck has 16 qts in the transmission but the pan itself holds only 4 of those qts. every 30k miles i drain the pan and refill with synthetic atf. been doing this for 180k miles now.

 

[rainman49]

I had my local independent shop that specializes in foreign autos change the ATF fluid in my wife's 530i for a variety of reasons, one of which is the vehicle is hooked to the scanner during the process. I ordered the Lifeguard 6 fluid ($19 per liter), pan with integral filter and pan bolts and Mechatronic sleeve from the California Transmission Supply Company (Their site currently has a malware warning for some reason). The car had 88K miles and the tech, who is a friend, said the fluid wasn't terrible but it was time for a change. We plan to keep the car as long as it doesn't become a money pit. It has the sport package, so I love driving it. I have another six quarts of ATF to do a drain and fill in another 30K miles.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: mikeinaustin
some of these cars state the fluids (atf in this case) are for the life of the vehicle. i'm sure they mean the warranty lifetime + a little wiggle room as opposed to my view that it be > 180k miles and you have your views as well.

my truck has 16 qts in the transmission but the pan itself holds only 4 of those qts. every 30k miles i drain the pan and refill with synthetic atf. been doing this for 180k miles now.


Thats not a great routine. Even if there was no mixing (which of course there is) you will take 120K miles to change all 16 QTs. But its much worse than that due to mixing.

Do all 16 QTs via the cooler line at 50-60K.

 

[cutlassvillager]

I did another drain and fill with Maxlife ATF today after about 830 miles since the first D&F. I cannot tell yet if there is any performance change from the first drain and fill. The shifts may have gotten a little quicker. I took a sample to send off to Blackstone.

 

[Donald]

The drain & fills are not a cost effective way of doing a fluid exchange. You are better off just doing a cooler line flush at say 50K miles.

 

[cutlassvillager]

Yes, I am aware it's not super efficient. I wanted to do drain and fills as to not "shock" the system as BMW always recommends against changing the fluid in their transmissions. I even saved the old fluid in a clean container just in case a problem occurred after the fluid change.

Thanks for the heads up though!