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Thread: Change atf..or not?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Norwich, Connecticut.
    Posts
    486
    My Cars
    E46 wag. E36 convertible

    Change atf..or not?

    I know this subject has been beaten to death here and elsewhere!

    If I had 175k, I'd not do it.

    My 03 325xi wagon has accumulated 116k+, never a trailer hitch, but no info after about use after that...meaning: I nobody knows, and I don't know the previous owners. All fluids are dirty..except engine when I bought it. Only 2 tires have ever been changed.

    My question...do I change the atf, or..not change the atf?....Yes, I will be flushing breaks, power steering, radiator....but will hold off the transmission until I get feedback from here

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,655
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    It is recommended to change the ATF and the filter. Lifetime Fluids do have Limited Life Period. These synthetic fluids are much more expensive than the conventional variety, but can last up to 100,000 miles. It is ordinarily recommended that transmission fluid be changed at approximately every 50,000 miles. This would also be a good time to change the transmission filter. Overheating is a primary cause of serious transmission problems. That is due the age of the transmission fluid; the older the fluid the lower the cooling properties of the liquid.

    quote:
    How Often Should I Change My BMW’s Automatic Transmission Fluid?
    BMW’s recommendations are different depending on the year. For example, a 2001 model was a lifetime fill, but a 2002 with the same transmission and fluid was serviced every 100k miles.

    Over the years, BMW has set various service intervals for automatic transmission fluid. 1995 and older models required service every 40k, but 1996 through 2001 were not serviced and considered lifetime fill. However, from 2002, BMW recommended service every 100k, but with the introduction of their F series (beginning with some 2011 models), they reverted back to the lifetime fill again.

    Since these recommendations are inconsistent, we’ve consulted ZF, who manufactures the majority of BMW transmissions, and they recommend changing both the automatic transmission fluid and the filter every 50k-75k miles. Even though their transmissions are filled with ZF manufactured semi-synthetic oil, certain driving conditions will cause the oil to age faster. So if your long-term goal is to keep the car beyond its warranty period, then we recommend servicing your automatic transmission every 60k miles. copied from germanmotorspecialist dot com

    I even do a valve body overhaul after 60 k miles, also on friends cars, sometimes a lot of dirt can be found in the valve bodies .
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Santa Rosa Beach Florida
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2005 Mini Cooper S
    Hello Shogun!!!
    My daughter bought a 2005 Mini Cooper S here in the states..... when we purchased "Poppy", we knew she had something going on with the transmission- "slipping" and over-rev around 3rd -4th gear ( in automatic and manual mode)-- PERIODICALLY!!! She got such a good deal on her -so we have her now. I had put 8-900 miles on her as a test and rule out the possible causes... at that point, I did a transfusion of fluid from the drain plug and drain plug fill overflow... COMPLETE SUCCESS!!! along with being VERY careful to but back in what exactly came out- 2-7/8 U.S. Quarts..... We are now In the "drive it for a few (300-700) mile test" mode.

    OUR HOPES ARE - SHE FEELS BETTER AND doesn't give up on us..... My intention was to re-drain again after the 700 miles and give her another transfusion. I have methodically thought about the concept of fresh fluid and that it can't hurt an already questionable (hopefully minor) issue.. But, yesterday I spoke to a young mechanic who said that was not a good idea since the OLD fluid was probably making g her still work due to the potential debris IN THE FLUID, and advised not to flush more of the old fluid out in the future.... (leave it gritty fluid in it because thats what is keeping it alive".... This gentleman has nothing to gain by telling me that- ( no possible agenda- just advise from someone else)- NOW I'M QUESTIONING MY JUDGEMENT ON THE FLUSH (ONLY FOR THE SECOND GO ROUND REAL SOON!!)

    MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO DRIVE HER!!!

    NOT LOOK at the pictures I send her everyday for the last two weeks of her on jacks.... like being a hospital.. 20 minutes after she put her $100.0 bills on the dealers desk, on her way home it HER NEW CAR, my daughter pulled over and said-" WE lost the transmission"----

    HEARTBREAKING TO SEE HER FACE
    TELLING ME THAT!!!!!
    I drove "Poppy" out of the high speed median across the highway and didn't feel a thing..... against her advise to get her towed- I kept going--- all the way back to her apartment.... when we got there she was obviously hurt, sad, confused, broke, and mad - that the car SHE JUST BOUGHT IS NOW BROKEN...

    NOT TRYING TO PLACATE THE SITUATION... I reminded her that is why we got the deal we did on her and for her to put that money in the bank for when- not if- it need's fixed...

    I have spent $50.00 and a lot of love on the transmission.... so worth it- so far... we now have 1500 miles on the "bad trasmission"....

    WHAT WOULD YOU DO NEXT???

    I originally was going to drop the pan, change the filter and Solon id's while I was in there... but couldn't get the gasket set and filter for a couple days so I just wanted to DO SOMETHING TO START TO GET THE CAR DIAGNOSED....

    NOW, I KNOW IT IS BETTER, BUT FOR HOW LONG??. She live 400 miles from home and the only creeper I want her around is me... not under her car!!!

    Please offer ANY ADVISE YOU HAVE-

    HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU OR A REDIRECT FOR MORE POINTS TO CONSIDER....!!!

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