Making the auto trans last?

[rotaryboots]

I just bought a 540iA tonight with 82K miles on it in perfect condition for 7K. So, I just downloaded the buyer's guide for the E39 and they say the trans is going to fail between 80-120K miles. I know a trans for a E34 is expensive... so an E39 won't be any cheaper. How do I make this trans last? Trans flush, change fluid, etc etc. Let me in on the maintenance I'll have to do on it right now to make sure this thing doesn't die in a few thousand miles. The trans shifts perfectly right now and I would like to keep it that way.

[bmw chris]

Dont drive it.

But seriously, I think the issue gets overblown a little. If you are going to do the fluid filter do it now dont wait dont drive it dont hesitate. And if you look at some of the threads posted here and google it these things really arent that expensive to rebuild if you are willing to tackle it yourself. There really isnt anything you can do at this point though. It either will or it wont. Best comment I have ever heard was whoever made the statement to the effect of the "random nature of automatic transmissions."

[jamesdc4]

There's no definitive answer to that question.

[bmw chris]

And a bit off topic, what year is it and where did you find it? I thought I got a good deal on mine but you guys kill me :(

[D540i]

do exactly what you said and hope for the best.
My transmission (different than yours because mines a 540i) has about 174k on it and mechanically its sound. We just did all the tests and everything checked out. However I was having problems with my transmission earlier and the cause was a "bug" in the trans program. I have to get it reprogrammed at a dealership now.
so basically, its hit or miss with the auto trans.

and in basic terms, auto transmissions are like parasites in vehicles, they will hurt other parts of the vehicle to make themselves last longer.

[jamesdc4]

I would add that my auto tranny was shifting a little rough after I used S4 for a while. Since I have been refraining from using the sport mode, my tranny has been shifting smooth as a warm knife through butter with no problems (knock on wood).

[ahetherington]

185k miles. original fluid. shifts like day 1. just hope for the best!

[rotaryboots]

Ok so service the trans and hope for the best. Thanks guys.


And a bit off topic, what year is it and where did you find it? I thought I got a good deal on mine but you guys kill me :(

Its a 99 540ia. Bought it here in Montana through a private owner that decided to buy an X3.

[brian530]

Dont drive it.


+1

[Johntee540]

I have 190k on the 528iT Tranny and the Fluid has been changed twice since original. Still working well. - JT

[brian530]

And a bit off topic, what year is it and where did you find it? I thought I got a good deal on mine but you guys kill me :(

Location location location. Anything with sub 100k miles runs a premium over retail. You can't get a trashed E39 in these parts for $7K!

Also, just visited Poudre Sports Car, talked with the owner of 35 year and lead mechanic. He said 50k miles is about right, 30k would be ideal. He thought "lifetime fluid was a joke"

He went on to say that the E39 was the last of the good ones.

[smee42]

I haven't looked into for the BMW's but have used a remote filter on several of my GM trucks used for towing. Heat kills gm trannys so I used an auxillary cooler and a remote spin-on oil filter. Every other oil change, I would change the spin-on filter and top up the trans fluid. The filters always showed signs that they were working by the color of the fluid I poured out. The last truck I used it on had over 235k miles and we pulled campers, horse trailer, tractor. When I pulled the stick, the fluid looked just like it came out of the bottle. Summit racing used to carry them.

[bmw chris]

Location location location. Anything with sub 100k miles runs a premium over retail. You can't get a trashed E39 in these parts for $7K!

LOL Location is everything isnt it. Im not really complaining, I paid $9300 for mine. Blackbook according to my bank was 13.6. So I still think I got a good deal. Car was really clean to. Some guys just seem to have all the luck. Wouldnt mind picking up a Touring needing a bit of work for 2500 though...

[brian530]

LOL Location is everything isnt it. Im not really complaining, I paid $9300 for mine. Blackbook according to my bank was 13.6. So I still think I got a good deal. Car was really clean to. Some guys just seem to have all the luck. Wouldnt mind picking up a Touring needing a bit of work for 2500 though...

dude - even if your car had 80k w/ prem pkg you did very well. I paid RETAIL for a loaded '03 w/ 40.5k miles.

....but it did come with a 12 month bumper to bumper warranty and was exactly the color and option packs I wanted...plus new tires, breaks, searing rack, alignment, idler pulley, some other pulley thinge', new belts, cabin/air filters, oil/lube and a few other items that I can't think of right now.

Ooh, plus $800 for shipping from Florida, but...IMO you get what you pay for :)

[ND4SPDLSC]

Heat is the worst enemy of an automatic. Install a stacked plate cooler and flush the fluid every 30k miles with a good full synthetic. You should get plenty of life this eay. Anything more requires modification of the shifting and how much the clutches are allowed to shift. A harder shift saves the clutches but you will start feeling the effects in the car.

[jnyost]

Regular filter and fluid changes, but never flush.

[CWY M5]

so on my E34, around 140k miles, I felt the shifting was getting rough. I changed the fluid, and used mobile 1 synthetic ATF - guess what, it went kaput pretty quick after that. Now, I can't say if the fluid did it, or the trans was on way out.

In any case, got it rebuilt for $1400 and one of the solenoid fail again one more year later, spent another $500 to get the solenoid fixed, now I'm at 223k miles, still going... not touching the fluid again...

[ND4SPDLSC]

Why not a flush? It's the only method that removes all the fluid and particulates. A transmission filter in the pan doesn't filter much. It's more of a screen. The fluid's main purpose is to transfer heat and to suspend wear particles from the parts. I've never seen a failure doing transmission flushes and the cars all had 80-120k miles on them. Thy were all hooked up to BG flush equipment.

Transmission failures are more likely with pan only drops it seems. I'm not as certain why.

Transmission fluid may be the most engineered vehicle lubricant, but it is not lifetime by any means. No lubricant is. They are all subject to shearing that breaks down the molecular chains and heat, and they eventually fill with metal particles from parts wearing on each other.

[330indy]

I would add that my auto tranny was shifting a little rough after I used S4 for a while. Since I have been refraining from using the sport mode, my tranny has been shifting smooth as a warm knife through butter with no problems (knock on wood).

same here. plus I changed the fluid to Redline. It really likes it, and it has 112k miles with no issues.
I have made fluid changes at:
55k
90k
110k

[jnyost]

Why not a flush? It's the only method that removes all the fluid and particulates. A transmission filter in the pan doesn't filter much. It's more of a screen. The fluid's main purpose is to transfer heat and to suspend wear particles from the parts. I've never seen a failure doing transmission flushes and the cars all had 80-120k miles on them. Thy were all hooked up to BG flush equipment.

Transmission failures are more likely with pan only drops it seems. I'm not as certain why.

Transmission fluid may be the most engineered vehicle lubricant, but it is not lifetime by any means. No lubricant is. They are all subject to shearing that breaks down the molecular chains and heat, and they eventually fill with metal particles from parts wearing on each other.

I've seen the opposite. Since flushes use an external machine they often dislodge deposits. Whether by force or by the cleaning fluid, it happens. I don't see too many of the places around here use them any more. You'll find some Monroes (or similar) still using them but not the quality shops. Doing 2 or 3 filter/fluid changes in short succession is a much safer method.

I agree, no fluid is lifetime.

[peterv]

I've seen the opposite. Since flushes use an external machine they often dislodge deposits. Whether by force or by the cleaning fluid, it happens. I don't see too many of the places around here use them any more. You'll find some Monroes (or similar) still using them but not the quality shops. Doing 2 or 3 filter/fluid changes in short succession is a much safer method.

I agree, no fluid is lifetime.

+1. I use oem atf (not cheap). No problem @ 145k+ miles on my daughter's 328i and @ 155k+ miles on my 540ia. Knock on wood. I will be changing the atf on my 330i soon which is now @ 55k+ miles.

[95325i]

So, I just downloaded the buyer's guide for the E39 and they say the trans is going to fail between 80-120K miles.


My car is past due then. The tranny is not as bad as people make it out to be. It also depends how the car was driven and taken care of.

[doc540]

100K trans failure on a $50K+ German car is inexcusable.:mad

weak link

[Jason5driver]

LIFETIME FILL - ** ***! - Part II - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate ... (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.bimmerforums.com%2Fforum%2 Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D1267367&ei=xwatS8HdOI7ENr2QzJkF&usg=AFQjCNFBg81V8hY3WyzB4_qWe4lJp42EYw)

[brian530]

I just had my ATF fluid "exchanged" at the dealer - all 12 courts were replaced as well as the filter. No 'flush' - the pump was hooked up to the machine and the car's pump did all the work. The car has only 44K miles on it. The shifting in sport mode / Steptronic is now quicker. It would take about 500 RPM to complete the up-shift, now it take about 200 RPMs. Everything else is identical and just as smooth as ever. Would I spend the $500 again - you bet!