Transmission for 2002 540i failed at 70k miles - what is normal life?

[WoodsideAl]

My E39 540i w/ sport pkg November 2002 has only 70,000 miles but the transmission started making a whineing noise, especially going uphill. Four weeks ago the transmission pan was pulled, showing the filter was clogged up. Fluid and filter were changed, pan put back with a new gasket, and it quieted down and we thought all was well.

Its been 4 weeks, now it is making a very loud whine. Mechanics say it needs to be replaced.

Did the E39 models have some transmission problems and was their a notice I missed? What is the normal life of the transmission?

The BMW manual and dealer says "never change the Transmission fluid - it will last for the life of the vehicle". Any comments?

Thanks,
WoodsideAl

[boondocksaint]

The manual, in this case, is full of **it. The extended service life is only supposed to take it beyond warranty, apparently.

Trans and diff fluid are WEAR items and should be changed regularly based on usage/abuse.

Before you replace it, however, get a second and third opinion.

[Poolman]

I have 180 k mile on my car and have changed the filter twice---but on both occasions that I changed the filter--I also drained the tranny twice and refilled
then drove around some more and then drained the tranny and removed the pan
and changed the filter--I filled the pan three times on the filter change---
What this did was to get rid of all the trashed fluid that was in the tranny, or as much as possible--then the new filter went in---you may have dislodged some junk
and have a clogged filter again---might just drain and refill as I have pointed too
and see if the helps--make sure you do that a couple of times and then try a new filter on the third fill--this may help--or your tranny is shot--but it's gonna cost a few hundred to find out--your call of course.

[sovietbmw]

140k here original tranny and fluid ..knock on desk

[byslexic]

BMW back-peddled on their original statement and now suggests fluid changes every 70k to 100k.

That being said, my trans has 190k on it and has never been serviced. I am going to change the fluid out soon, though.... I think it's about time!

[ApexOnYou]

"Lifetime fluid" is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.

Another original fluid 190ker...

[rf900rkw]

Careful with the comparisons. The 525is use a GM based unit that takes $2/qt standard Dex3 fluid. The 540i uses a ZF unit that takes a fairly unique fluid at aprrox $15/liter. A triple flush and fill on a ZF will set you back almost $500.

And, yes, they figure the fluid is that good that it will outlive other components in the transmission (not car lifetime, trans lifetime). Fluid contamination doesn't come from thin air, it's from failing components. At the point the filter is plugged enough to whine, the damage is done, and will continue to escalate. Changing fluid and filter will cost a bunch, and only buy you days.

O.P.> The ZF5HP24E transmission has two weak points. The A clutch drum cracks, causing a loss of 1st gear. The other is a bearing failure in the torque converter. This causes a storm of fine metal through the system, which will plug the filter after wearing at other components.

The first problem is most prevalent in Jag's and Range Rovers. It's not unheard of with BMW, but not as common. The second issue seems to match your symptoms, but to date I've only seen it in Porsche/Audi/VW vehicles. And neither failure will be even slightly mitigated by regular fluid changes.