Collecting Statistics on BMW auto transmission and Lifetime ATF

[mattymic]

How much is the new formula mobil 1 syn? and

So the trans on my 1995 540i has never been opened up. Do I or don't I? It runs fine. 124k on it. Mechanic says don't mess with it. My inclination is to change / not flush and filter. I bought the shell trans fluid but I will return that expensive stuff if the mobil 1 is less money - I paid like 23 bucks a litre from bav auto and had to buy two containers - I would be fine with sending it back.

any direction is appreciated.

[2kredz3]

btw did the fluid change on a Z3 to Amsoil Universal ATF and it has been running great ever since. changed at 124k

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1254908

Please click the above link and thinker seriously how the fluid can be lifetime.

[bimmerZ5]

How much is the new formula mobil 1 syn? and

So the trans on my 1995 540i has never been opened up. Do I or don't I? It runs fine. 124k on it. Mechanic says don't mess with it. My inclination is to change / not flush and filter. I bought the shell trans fluid but I will return that expensive stuff if the mobil 1 is less money - I paid like 23 bucks a litre from bav auto and had to buy two containers - I would be fine with sending it back.

any direction is appreciated.

i would say go ahead and change it. then report back every 20K miles!

A car of your vintage has many options for ATF, you don't have to use the expensive stuff; it isn't necessarily better. Your options include Castrol Import Vehicle ATF, Mobil1 ATF, Amsoil Universal ATF, etc. In fact, in 1995, i think you can pretty much use any Dex-III or Dex-IV, but not 100% sure... you can search online for more info.

[Shnyaga]

I really like what this thread has turned into. Nice job bimmerZ5. From skimming through, the general consensus here is to do what ever you want, because there isn't any hard data on anything, other the poll shows that most people haven't done anything and their trans is fine. But I still think that it would be better to change it. It just makes more sense. Im at 130k with my E46, and I dont know.. Change it, leave it..? Don't know. Shifts fine, except on the initial start-up of the day, it slips when I take off till I get the car going.

[admeeral]

I have 2003CI convertible, with close to 100K miles.
Owners manual says lifetime - how long is that?
Service manual says 100K miles. !!!
Same manufacturer - same car????

My decision is to change but using what? Present thought is to use
Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Does anyone have experience with that?

As a comment on the table - noting failure is probably insufficient.
question is--- is the life of the transmission extended by oil changes?
So when did it fail and how many miles for those that did not fail.

Of those who did not change 16.6% failed
Of those who used non BMW oil - 6% failed.

What does that mean I wonder.

Us retired engineers have lots of time to scratch our heads.

admeeral

[Tony Soprano]

97 m3. stock with 3.91 gears. bought car at 109k, fluid is only slightly dirty, car now has 123k, shifts great, never slips, runs fine. i think the only drain and fill ill do its to drain the auto and fill it with a 5sp.

[taridukan]

I have 1997 328i Automatic and it has 187K miles on it. I never changed the transmission fluid nor differential fluid. It is running fine but I am thinking to change both fluid. I have been doing research on it and some people says you should not change any of fluid at this high mileage. I spoke to BMW Dealership and they said the same. Is this true? Would it be OK to change or leave it as it is? Also what kind of fluid I should be using?

[admeeral]

I changed the oil and filter in a 2003 325CI Convertible 95K miles.

Obviously there is wear taking place in any transmission and I was able to observe the ferric metal build up on the magnets as well as see that the filter had done its thing with the non ferous stuff. Old oil was a light brown color. Used Mobil 1 synthetic ATF for the new oil. About $8/qt.

I have a transmission test I do which is very simple. On a flat surface back up the car a short distance then stop and with the engine in idle put the car into drive and observe the time for the transmission to shift into first gear.

Before the oil change there was a distinct delay of well over one second.
Now the delay is much shorter - much less than one second.

If you make the oil change after more miles then you would just see more buildup. I do not see how the change could be harmful. I think with the BMW hype mechanics are just very wary of the whole activity.

Incidently I also put in new plugs and one of those changes has given me distinctly better gas mileage. I am not sure which but am not complaining.
After 95K miles the old plugs looked very good indeed.

As background I have a Ph. D. in engineering and have 40 years of work experience in many fields.

[darknezz7]

When I replaced the engine in my 94 530i Nikasil 110k miles*I wanted to note that I was replacing an engine in a nice car that had overheated and the engine seized with one from my wrecked old 94 530 and that it was not that it was a Nikasil related problem, they were both Nikasil*

I replaced the trans filter and fluid, if I remember right I used Napa brand Dex-III ATF. There was mild build up of particles on the magnets, small dust like metal no large pieces, the filter was black, the oil was medium brown

Its been 15k miles since change, shifts smooth, and its definitively under a second to go in gear 125K miles, engine runs great, other than its only 3 liters instead of 4 and an auto....

IMO its a good idea to change the fluid, I base this on nothing, other than the filter being black and just come on, lifetime fluid?
Not when you want to get 300k out of it

Now if someone could answer my question about traction control, I'm about to post it in gen mech forum. Its about whether traction control has some programming in the transmission its self or if its all in the car or what.
That would be great!

[bdejong11129]

1995 540i
ZF A5S560Z trans.
191,021 miles.
No real issues with the trans.
Used the new Castrol Import Multi Vehicle.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012226&conten tId=7028224

Lists being compatible with LA2634, LT71141; Texaco ETL-7045-E, ETL-8027B, Shell M1375.4 which are the fluids used in the ZF for my car. Castrol was 4.79/qt while the Mobile 1 was 8.99/qt. Its a 191k trans so it got the Castrol.

Fluid was dark, but did not really smell all that burnt. Filter was black, and the magnet was full of fine power material so it was doing its job.

I followed the manual and filled it until it came back out and then ran the car, filled it again. Ran through the gears and filled it even more. It took about 7.5 quarts to top it completely off. Did not track how much came out.

We shall see, if the trans continues to perform I will start to do regular yearly fluid changes to give it a chance at life. If not then I will put another one in the car and do the same.

[bdejong11129]

While I have not put a lot of miles on it after the change I thought I would at least post my initial impressions of the trans. The shifts are a lot smoother. I had fellow E34'er take a ride with me and he could only tell by looking at the tach when the trans shifted.

So far this looks to be a good thing to do and it is fairly easy. I will definitely continue to change the fluid on regular intervals from now on.

[jlabelle]

My "02 3251 was flushed and changed about 150K with BMW fluid. Car now has 260K and runs perfect.

Jim

[bimmerZ5]

My "02 3251 was flushed and changed about 150K with BMW fluid. Car now has 260K and runs perfect.

Jim

wow.. what do you do that makes you drive 29K miles per year???

[rizy102]

Hi, im very sorry to be a nuisance but just wanted to know what the best fluid would be to use in my '95 e34 A5S 310Z 525 tranny?
its done 172k and dont really know if its ever been changed
btw im in the uk.

Thanks alot!

[macsm5]

purchased 87 325e (HP22 4 speed auto transmission) with 77,000 miles PO had rebuilt transmission installed @ 70,000. Changed to Amsoil Synthetic ATF (meets BMW LA2634 and LT 71141 spec) @ 78,000 miles, full flush through transmission cooler lines with engine running and ATF added as old fluid was pumped out ... hence torque converter, transmission cooler and pan ATF was changed, changed out filter and gasket at this time - transmission running fine - 178,000 changed filter and gasket, same procedure of full flush through transmission cooler lines with engine running and fluid added as old fluid was pumped out (transmission magnet filter had minimal amount of shavings) and fluid was a little burnt, not red like new fluid - car now has 190,210 miles and transmission runs great, no hard shifts, no problems getting into gears, does not slip ... DD and looking forward to changing fluid @ 278,000.

just purchased 98 M3 vert with 112,000 miles, PO never serviced the ZF 5 speed Auto transmission and it was slipping, and check transmission light was coming on dashboard and CEL was on, hard shifts 1-2, problem was noted in PO service receipts since 89,000 miles but PO never did anything about it, purchased it with 112,000 and so just put in a used (60,000 miles) transmission, since the transmission needed to be installed fully filled with Amsoil ATF as used in my 87 325e, transmission is strong now and will report again in 50,000 miles

[fixer110]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE !? MOBIL 1 ATF IS BMW SPEC. TO SERVICE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS GOOD !!! BTW I"M A MASTER TRANSMISSION REBUILDER, I OWN 2 AAMCO CENTERS. THIS NOT RUMOR, OR GUT FEELING ITS FACT. MY MOBIL 1 REP HAS SUPPLIED US WITH SPEC SHEETS FROM MOBILE 1, THE ONLY MOTOR OIL TO PASS THE BMW "LONG LIFE" (SAME AS DEALER SUPPLIED) IS 0W40 READ THE BOTTLE!!!! AS FAR AS ATF, ONLY MOBIL 1 HAS PASSED THE BMW SPEC, I BUY 55 GALLONS AT A TIME. THE SHIFT FEEL ONLY IMPROVES WITH MOBIL 1 ATF WITH A HEALTHY TRANSMISSION, NOT A "SICK OR DIRTY" TRANSMISSION. REDLINE, CASTROL ATF AND THE REST ARE "WILL FIT". JUST BECAUSE SOME GUYS GOT AWAY WITH IT, USING NON FACTORY SPEC FLUIDS DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. GO AND BUY BMW FLUIDS, OR MOBIL 1 OR PAY!!! TO FIX IT
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/....aspx?option=2

[occhis]

OK, no need to yell.

[BMW9241]

BMW 525i 1994, followed all services, low mileage.
transmission failed to go forward (transmission control error).

How long should a BMW transmission last under scheduled maintenance, low mileage, and normal driving conditions (1994 BMW525i)?

[mikejbmw]

97 540i ZF 5spd.

Trans oil first changed at 110,000 miles. Car now has 111,000. Used Pentosin Esso equivalent.
Did notice smoother shifting. Checked Mobil 1 site, they do claim Mobil 1 ATF meets Esso Lt71141 specs. Might try that next time, much cheaper and being synthetic probably better.

[Diablo99M3]

52k miles e36 m3 no change no problems
hope a problem comes up though so i do a manny swap

[hamrt]

My 2000 323i has 143,000 miles on the original fluid and the transmission performs fine, but I am thinking about changing it. The only thing really stopping me is the cost of the fluid and the mess it will make. The pan has no drain and must be removed to drain all the fluid. It will make a mess, to say the least, and I don't look forward to doing it.

Seems like a lot of BMWs have gone a lot of miles on the "Lifetime" fluid without major problems so maybe it really is lifetime fluid. The whole reason BMW went to the sealed tranny was they concluded that the main cause of transmission failure was foreign matter getting into the transmission when it was serviced by BMW techs. Go figure...

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE !? MOBIL 1 ATF IS BMW SPEC. TO SERVICE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS GOOD !!! BTW I"M A MASTER TRANSMISSION REBUILDER, I OWN 2 AAMCO CENTERS. THIS NOT RUMOR, OR GUT FEELING ITS FACT. MY MOBIL 1 REP HAS SUPPLIED US WITH SPEC SHEETS FROM MOBILE 1, THE ONLY MOTOR OIL TO PASS THE BMW "LONG LIFE" (SAME AS DEALER SUPPLIED) IS 0W40 READ THE BOTTLE!!!! AS FAR AS ATF, ONLY MOBIL 1 HAS PASSED THE BMW SPEC, I BUY 55 GALLONS AT A TIME. THE SHIFT FEEL ONLY IMPROVES WITH MOBIL 1 ATF WITH A HEALTHY TRANSMISSION, NOT A "SICK OR DIRTY" TRANSMISSION. REDLINE, CASTROL ATF AND THE REST ARE "WILL FIT". JUST BECAUSE SOME GUYS GOT AWAY WITH IT, USING NON FACTORY SPEC FLUIDS DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. GO AND BUY BMW FLUIDS, OR MOBIL 1 OR PAY!!! TO FIX IT
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/....aspx?option=2

New Bimmers come with Castrol Syntech. The Castrol logo is even on the oil filler cap. Mercedes is in partnership with Mobil 1. I've used both and they are both great oils for BMW and Mercedes. I have NOT gone 14,000 miles between oil changes, however, opting instead for every 7,000 miles. Inside of engine is squeaky clean. Tranny still on the lifetime oil and performs fine.

[lionbat]

Just noting that Amsoil universal synthetic ATF meets all the following specifications:

AMSOIL AMSOIL Synthetic Universal ATF is recommended for transmissions, hydraulics, power steering and other applications requiring any of the following specifications:

AUTOMOTIVE

• GM DEXRON® III-H
• Ford MERCON® & MERCON V
• Chrysler ATF+4®
• Toyota Type T-III and T-IV
• Honda Z-1 (Not CVT)
• Diamond SP II & III (Mitsubishi/Hyundai/Kia)
• Mazda ATF-III, ATF-MV
• Subaru ATF, ATF-HP
• Nissan Matic D, J & K
• Idemitsu K-17
• BMW LA2634
• LT 71141
• Audi G-052-025-A2 & G-052-162-A1
• Volvo 97340
• MB 236.1, 236.2, 236.5, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9 & 236.10
• JWS 3309
• NAG 1
• ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B & N402
• Mopar AS68RC

I am NOT an Amsoil dealer but have used their ATF in my 2001 330xi instead of the original Texaco ETL 8072B. It works great.

[phebert27]

I have a 92 Bmw 325i e36 M50 with 192625 miles on it. I bought it in December and from everything else I have fnd with this car as I restore it to it's original luster, I doubt that the ATF has ever been changed.

After reading through this thread I have decided to go for it and replace the filter and ATF using Valvoline MAX LIFE DEX/MERC. I ordered my filter and gaskets from pelicanparts as their kit comes with new bolts for the sumps.

Right now there seems to be no problem with the transmission besides a little slow in the morning to first gear and perhaps slow in changing gears while going up hill. Anyway I wont be able to to this job until next weekend as parts wont be here till next week but I will keep you and any future member posted of my experience.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE !? MOBIL 1 ATF IS BMW SPEC. TO SERVICE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS GOOD !!! BTW I"M A MASTER TRANSMISSION REBUILDER, I OWN 2 AAMCO CENTERS. THIS NOT RUMOR, OR GUT FEELING ITS FACT. MY MOBIL 1 REP HAS SUPPLIED US WITH SPEC SHEETS FROM MOBILE 1, THE ONLY MOTOR OIL TO PASS THE BMW "LONG LIFE" (SAME AS DEALER SUPPLIED) IS 0W40 READ THE BOTTLE!!!! AS FAR AS ATF, ONLY MOBIL 1 HAS PASSED THE BMW SPEC, I BUY 55 GALLONS AT A TIME. THE SHIFT FEEL ONLY IMPROVES WITH MOBIL 1 ATF WITH A HEALTHY TRANSMISSION, NOT A "SICK OR DIRTY" TRANSMISSION. REDLINE, CASTROL ATF AND THE REST ARE "WILL FIT". JUST BECAUSE SOME GUYS GOT AWAY WITH IT, USING NON FACTORY SPEC FLUIDS DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT. GO AND BUY BMW FLUIDS, OR MOBIL 1 OR PAY!!! TO FIX IT
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/....aspx?option=2

My transmission seems fine, the only thing I really notice from it is in the morning it doesn't like to go into first gear until warmed up. I have no idea the last time or if ever my transmission was serviced or if this is the original tranny. I bought it in December. If it is then it has lasted over 192,000 miles. I called an AAMCO shop and they said you're not supposed to change the fluid in an older vehicle just top it off??? Anyway I'm planning on doing it myself since I cant get them to do it, though I will not get all the old stuff out. I will plan to service it again well before the 30,000 miles. As long as you are using a DEXRON III or compatible fluid you are using the correct stuff anything BMW recommends maybe you should stay away from judging from the polls lol. It's a GM transmission, nothing special unless you have something other than GM just get some DEXRON III fluid or compatible and you'll be good. Either way you should replace it every 30,000 miles, you may get 60,0000 out of the Mobil 1, but I'd end up replacing it at 30,000 miles anyway.

[phebert27]

Ok so I went ahead and serviced the transmission yesterday 5/10/10 mileage at 192676. As I said in the original post I used Valvoline MAX LIFE DEX/MERC. Which is a DEXRON III compatible oil. Basically all I did was remove the large sump, cleaned it and magnet, replaced filter and gasket and reinstalled. I did not bother with the smaller sump as I plan to drain and fill again in about a week and so on and so on until I get 90% new fluid in it. I did take it for a test run this morning because I usually have a problem with mornings with it going into gear. I did not have that problem on this test run Now I did come to a hard stop on a dwnhill for a stop sign and when I went to go it kicked into gear. I may not have added enough ATF and will check that as soon as weather clears up. I am pretty sure it's low on fluid. Other than that little issue it does seem to shift better and the morning sickness is gone. I put in about 4 qts of new ATF in this initial fill. Will check back in after I put a cple thousand miles on it unless something bad happens before then.

[evansr727]

What fluid can I use for a zf 5hp-19 tt instead of bmw 83229407807? Thx.