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Thread: Transmission fluid change....

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    Norwich, Connecticut.
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    E46 wag. E36 convertible

    Transmission fluid change....

    03-325-xi wag..I have 117k...bought used recently...I doubt the TF fluid has ever been changed. With hesitation, a lot, I am going to go ahead and do this. I don't believe this car was abused, or climbed Mt. Washington daily!

    Question: Do it myself, or hire someone I don't know?

    BMW, of New London, Ct. want's $2700 to perform a full transmission service for me.

    No!

    Anyone?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
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    Lawrence Kansas
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    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    Do it yourself for under $75. While you're at it, change the transfer case fluid with Redline MTL.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    Quote Originally Posted by dhurley34 View Post
    Do it yourself for under $75. While you're at it, change the transfer case fluid with Redline MTL.
    Amen!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Fresno, CA, USA
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    2005 BMW 330Ci Coupe
    I went to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location here in Fresno CA that was highly rated on yelp. Pumped the transmission fluid with a machine while the engine was running. Charged me $160 and they pumped 12+ quarts through until the fluid came out bright red clean. They used Dexron VI Max Life compatible full synthetic fluid too so I'm set for a while. I'd go this route for easiest and semi cheapest route.

  5. #5
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    EXOTICS
    I hope they at least also dropped the pan and replaced the filter?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
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    NY
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    '03 E39 530i
    They used the wrong fluid. Vavoline makes lt71141 atf that's different from dexron.
    Quote Originally Posted by Leothelion092 View Post
    I went to a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location here in Fresno CA that was highly rated on yelp. Pumped the transmission fluid with a machine while the engine was running. Charged me $160 and they pumped 12+ quarts through until the fluid came out bright red clean. They used Dexron VI Max Life compatible full synthetic fluid too so I'm set for a while. I'd go this route for easiest and semi cheapest route.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 530e39 View Post
    They used the wrong fluid. Vavoline makes lt71141 atf that's different from dexron.
    If the trans is a GM, then Dex 6 is what's now recommended by BMW and GM as the replacement fluid. Not sure about ZF, but Valvoline Maxlife ATF is certified to meet specs for both GM and ZF trans.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Quote Originally Posted by dhurley34 View Post
    If the trans is a GM, then Dex 6 is what's now recommended by BMW and GM as the replacement fluid. Not sure about ZF, but Valvoline Maxlife ATF is certified to meet specs for both GM and ZF trans.
    Yes that is correct, I used Dexron VI Compatible Full Synthetic MaxLife transmission fluid. Specific to my GM transmission. B-)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
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    yes i occasionally enjoy the foot in my mouth. Thought it was a zf unit.
    Quote Originally Posted by Leothelion092 View Post
    Yes that is correct, I used Dexron VI Compatible Full Synthetic MaxLife transmission fluid. Specific to my GM transmission. B-)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Quote Originally Posted by 530e39 View Post
    yes i occasionally enjoy the foot in my mouth. Thought it was a zf unit.
    It's okay I would've made the same mistake, the point is that I got it machine flushed out for about $160 to the point where all 9-12 quarts in the transmission is clean bright red fluid at 80k miles I even have an appointment today to go double check the fluid level to make sure it's correct after a couple days of use. Since the fluid adjusts with use. I recommend this route. But of course, I changed my auto transmission filter, pan gasket, and bolts with the trans filter kit from FCPEuro with a lifetime warranty. Check them out as well!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
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    42 deg lat -70 deg long
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    Yes, please.
    The transmission is a model A5S-390R which is a variant of the GM 4l60e. Transfer case is a New Venture NV124.

  12. #12
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    Not even close to a 4L60E. Bell housing, valve body, etc are completely different. The BMW A5S360R is known as a 5L40E in the GM world and a A5S390R is known as a 5L50.

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leothelion092 View Post

    It's okay I would've made the same mistake, the point is that I got it machine flushed out for about $160 to the point where all 9-12 quarts in the transmission is clean bright red fluid at 80k miles I even have an appointment today to go double check the fluid level to make sure it's correct after a couple days of use. Since the fluid adjusts with use. I recommend this route. But of course, I changed my auto transmission filter, pan gasket, and bolts with the trans filter kit from FCPEuro with a lifetime warranty. Check them out as well!
    So how does that work? Did you change the filter after the flush?

  14. #14
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    Yes, please.
    Quote Originally Posted by dhurley34 View Post
    Not even close to a 4L60E. Bell housing, valve body, etc are completely different. The BMW A5S360R is known as a 5L40E in the GM world and a A5S390R is known as a 5L50.
    Thank you for the clarification.

  15. #15
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    Jan 2017
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    2002 330xi
    Quote Originally Posted by flyfishvt View Post
    So how does that work? Did you change the filter after the flush?
    Usually when they do the flush it goes BACKWARDS flushing out the filter as it goes.. At least thats what the trans guy told me on my Infiniti which had a non servicable filter kit.

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