RM European Auto Parts

View Poll Results: What is your BMW auto transmission maintenance experience?

Voters
1349. You may not vote on this poll
  • Followed BMW Lifetime ATF recommendation, did zero maintenance and auto trans. is fine.

    632 46.85%
  • Followed BMW Lifetime ATF recommendation, did zero maintenance and auto trans. failed.

    159 11.79%
  • Did an ATF drain/refill w/ BMW specified ATF fluid and auto trans. is fine.

    230 17.05%
  • Did an ATF drain/refill w/ BMW specified ATF fluid and auto trans. failed.

    53 3.93%
  • Did an ATF drain/refill w/ non-BMW ATF and auto trans is fine.

    257 19.05%
  • Did an ATF drain/refill w/ non-BMW ATF and auto trans failed.

    18 1.33%
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Results 51 to 75 of 591

Thread: Collecting Statistics on BMW auto transmission and Lifetime ATF

  1. #51
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Twin Cities NW Metro
    Posts
    420
    My Cars
    2001 330i 3.23
    What are the numbers so far on the poll? By reading thru the responses, it looks like there is no smoking gun.

  2. #52
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    187
    My Cars
    '99 740i Sport
    Today I had my transmission serviced. Oil, filter... the works. The mileage on my car is 90,220 and as far as I know this is the first transmission service for this car. I've had the car since January and I had this done for precaution purposes. The oil that came out of it was as my mechanic put it... muddy but no indication of any damage. He said the trans should on average last a good while longer. I had no problems with the trans before and it seems to run excellent after the servicing. I love being in the drivers seat of a BMW.
    <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

  3. #53
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    stranger in a stange land
    Posts
    529
    My Cars
    1999 328ic, manual tranny
    K&N says their filters are good for a million miles too. I don't believe either one, I am changing mine(tranny fluid) at least every 100K. I do have a manual though.

  4. #54
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA Kansas City, KS
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    96 750il 88 528e 83 528e

    Transmission Failure Twice 96 750il

    I purchased my 96 750 il as certified in Jan. 2000 with 46,000 miles. In December of 2002 just after the certification ended I had a complete failure with 68,000 miles. I replaced the transmission at a local Dealer to the tune of $6200.00. This "remanufactured" transmission failed ( no reverse) on me 22 months later in January of 2004 with 86,000 miles. After 3 weeks of talking to BMW/NA, I was offered another "remanufactured" transmission if I would pay for the installation. I thought it was a good deal. Three weeks after getting the 750 back I found a ZF site that stated that a failure of the reverse gear could be expected on these transmissions. Had I found that website I think I would have saved the installation cost of $800+. Now I am looking at replacing the head gaskets, due to an overheating problem that my local dealer nickeled and dimed me on with -- radiator drain plug, expansion tank, then thermostat, then radiator. The 750 is a beautiful car and a pleasure when operating correctly; but honestly the owner body is rebuilding the fleet part by part.

  5. #55
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    1,489
    My Cars
    '07 MCSa, '04 325iA
    followed BMW's Lifetime fluid recommendation, transmission is still running great, '98 740il 57,XXX miles.

  6. #56
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Essex County, MA
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    2001 325i Sport
    BimmerZ5, thanks for taking the time and effort to do this. Great info. I have a 2001 325i with 58K, never changed the fluid and transmission is fine. However, I am thinking about having this done or doing it myself. Also, the Tech Talk guy in Roundel recommends the differential fluid be changed as well. He believes the "lifetime fluid" is pure marketing only.

  7. #57
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    986
    My Cars
    E71 X6 4.4L "BatMobile"
    any more findings?
    i am at 100K miles on my 2000 740i sport and i think i will chnage it, but so far there has been zero signs of hard shift or any other wear

    i would like to know what people think.

    for spring i am saving up to do the trans and the diff fluid just so i'm good past the 100K mile mark

  8. #58
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Kingston, Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,082
    My Cars
    Z4 3.0 si
    Called my local dealer on the subject of ATF changes. Was told their charge for an ATF change was $700, claiming the entire transmission had to be removed to do so. Their take was it's more cost effective to follow the lifetime fluid recommendation and do no changes, save the money and use it to replace the tranny when/if it fails.

  9. #59
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Sammamish, WA
    Posts
    127
    My Cars
    2004 745i Sport (Streling Grey)
    Quote Originally Posted by waltervee
    I purchased my 96 750 il as certified in Jan. 2000 with 46,000 miles. In December of 2002 just after the certification ended I had a complete failure with 68,000 miles. I replaced the transmission at a local Dealer to the tune of $6200.00. This "remanufactured" transmission failed ( no reverse) on me 22 months later in January of 2004 with 86,000 miles. After 3 weeks of talking to BMW/NA, I was offered another "remanufactured" transmission if I would pay for the installation. I thought it was a good deal. Three weeks after getting the 750 back I found a ZF site that stated that a failure of the reverse gear could be expected on these transmissions. Had I found that website I think I would have saved the installation cost of $800+. Now I am looking at replacing the head gaskets, due to an overheating problem that my local dealer nickeled and dimed me on with -- radiator drain plug, expansion tank, then thermostat, then radiator. The 750 is a beautiful car and a pleasure when operating correctly; but honestly the owner body is rebuilding the fleet part by part.



    Waltervee,

    I have 60,000 miles on my 2000 740i Sport and the transmission is starting to slip in reverse also. I was quoted $4900 for a BMW remn unit but after reading this post fear I may have to do it annually.

    Whats the secret to fixing the reverse slip? Did it effect any forward gears? Can I flush the fluid and hope that I may get some additional mileage out of it?

    Blaine
    2004 BMW 745i Sport (Sterling Grey)
    2000 740i Sport (Imola Red) RIP
    1988 Porsche 930S Factory Slantnose
    2002 Land Rover Discovery SE
    1967 Shelby Cobra Reproduction

  10. #60
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    134
    My Cars
    BMW E38 728 & E65 730i SE, LR Discovery TD5 XS
    Had my E38 728i done by BMW Main Dealer in Perth Scotland in 2004 at 97k miles. No problems before or after.


    BMW E38 728 & E65 730i SE UK specs

  11. #61
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Tallahassee, FL
    Posts
    33
    My Cars
    2000 740i sport, 1995 Tacoma 4wd
    740i, 2000, 75000 miles

  12. #62
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    109
    My Cars
    2003 330Ci Convertible
    I did my '98 328Ci six months ago (75,000mi), with off the shelf Castrol Dextron ATF, non synthetic, replaced the filter and drained both pans, and the cooler. Even the green "Lifetime" warning sticker on the pan says to use Dextron if adding fluid...........Trans runs and shifts perfect, It's a GM tranny, and the recommended fluid IS Dextron. I drained the main pan and refilled 3 times to get most of the old fluid out of the converter. Total cost with gaskets and fliter - $70.

  13. #63
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Arizona, USA
    Posts
    187
    My Cars
    1996 740il/ 1995 750il
    In my 96 740il, I'm at 203K and it's never been changed. Don't know how long this will go on for though. I have heard of someone going to 280K without changing theirs (E38).
    --------------
    1996 740il
    1995 750il
    Arizona, USA

  14. #64
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    5,277
    My Cars
    E39 525i manual sport
    Quote Originally Posted by Cody Thomson
    In my 96 740il, I'm at 203K and it's never been changed. Don't know how long this will go on for though. I have heard of someone going to 280K without changing theirs (E38).
    thats what I call lifetime ATF fluid.

    Cosmos - Black l l Lux l HK l OEM clears all around l Depo HID's 55W 5000K l Strut bar

  15. #65
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Keller, TX
    Posts
    837
    My Cars
    1989 325i S52 swap
    I'll get in here but as of today I can't say whether my servicing will improve/worsen the condition of the tranny. I drive a 1994 325i with 171,000 miles. The kid who owned his daddy's car before me didn't much care for it and didn't maintain it for shit.

    I changed air filter, did a much needed oil change, new spark plugs (several of which were oily) and yesterday I got the auto trans filter/gaskets in. The transmission was running rough, especially on hard stops and in lower gears- on high way and 30mph above it shifted fairly decently.

    Changed out less than a gallon of "lifetime" black thin-runny gunk out of both sumps, boy you should have seen the magnet about an inch larger with all the trash on there. I put in 4 1/2 quarts of non bmw at-fluid.... hell I even mixed a few brands in there, 2 quarts castrol, 1 quart penzoil, 1 quart generic when I came up short

    I'll drive it around today and repost on the outcome.

  16. #66
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Kansas City MO
    Posts
    8,631
    My Cars
    Too Many
    Quote Originally Posted by Nacanowhere
    I'll get in here but as of today I can't say whether my servicing will improve/worsen the condition of the tranny. I drive a 1994 325i with 171,000 miles. The kid who owned his daddy's car before me didn't much care for it and didn't maintain it for shit.

    I changed air filter, did a much needed oil change, new spark plugs (several of which were oily) and yesterday I got the auto trans filter/gaskets in. The transmission was running rough, especially on hard stops and in lower gears- on high way and 30mph above it shifted fairly decently.

    Changed out less than a gallon of "lifetime" black thin-runny gunk out of both sumps, boy you should have seen the magnet about an inch larger with all the trash on there. I put in 4 1/2 quarts of non bmw at-fluid.... hell I even mixed a few brands in there, 2 quarts castrol, 1 quart penzoil, 1 quart generic when I came up short

    I'll drive it around today and repost on the outcome.
    I can't wait to see how it drives. please post back asap.

  17. #67
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    2,198
    My Cars
    1996 328is, 2004 Audi AllRoad 4.2
    Recently did my second fluid replacement, 1996 328is, 93K miles. Driven very conservatively, fluid at 60K was clean, gray haze in pan & small amount of gunk on magnet. Used Amsoil ATF with new filter. Ran great.

    90K fluid & filter, used Mobil1 ATF. started to have slipping occasionally at second to third shift. Pan & magnet were very clean.

    Waiting for new filter & Red Line D4 fluid to arrive. Hoping that it corrects itself. I'll repost after a week or so running the Red Line.

  18. #68
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Phila, PA
    Posts
    339
    My Cars
    95' M3, 97' 328i
    I have very good experience with Red Line ATF changed at 85k in my 1997 328i. Trans is smooth as silk no slipping shifts great hot or cold. I have put almost 10k on the car after changing the fluid.
    My friend used Mobil Max Life ATF (for cost reasons since Max Life is cheap) on his E38, also no problems… I did some reading in 7 series forum seems like people are very happy with Mobil Max Life, but I would still stick with Red Line since trans is more valuable to me…

    1997 328I sport package
    | RAID Steering Wheel | AA CAIS | AA Gen III Exhaust | SPAX Spring Kit | MEYLE Control Arms with Full-Metal Ball Joints and M3 bushings | BREMBO Rotors | Magnum Teflon SS Brake Lines | G2 Caliper Paint | M3 Bumpers, Door Moldings, Mirrors, Spoiler | M3 Double Spoke Wheels | M3 Motor Mounts | Stellar Keyless Entry | Euro Clear Tail Lights and Corners | DEPO Euro Headlights with Krypton Blue 6000k H1 Bulbs |

    1995 M3
    | Work in progress |

  19. #69
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Keller, TX
    Posts
    837
    My Cars
    1989 325i S52 swap
    well just got back from a lil test drive after the fluid change. Looks like all is well so far... much smoother shifts, and gear changes from P to D and R. Like I said I used a nice little cocktail of lesser atf brands so we'll see how it holds up.

    Anyhow it looks better so far.

    Chris

  20. #70
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    5,277
    My Cars
    E39 525i manual sport
    anybody have any experience with castrol ATF dexron III merco ( the black and red bottle)

    Cosmos - Black l l Lux l HK l OEM clears all around l Depo HID's 55W 5000K l Strut bar

  21. #71
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Vail, CO, USA
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    86 325es, 95 325i vert
    Quote Originally Posted by qidm67
    anybody have any experience with castrol ATF dexron III merco ( the black and red bottle)
    That is what I plan to use, Castrol Dexron III Mercon is listed as an approved ATF for pre 9/95 e36 BMW automatics.

    I've tried to research this as much as possible and the rule of thumb I will follow is that if the fluid appears really bad ...I will leave the fluid alone.

    If the fluid is clear red to darkened red I will do a Maintenance II filter and fluid service.

    If the fluid is very dark red, I will save it in an clean container and re-use it after I change the filter

    I've tried to check the service records on the vehicle and the BMW dealers who serviced the car did not save records.

    I have no owner's manual or records.

    I REALLY want to change the ATF and filter but I won't if the fluid looks badly neglected.

  22. #72
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    34
    My Cars
    98 740iL
    1998 740il with 128K miles. No maintenance and no problems. I'm not sure if I want to pop the seal if it 'aint broken.

  23. #73
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    5,277
    My Cars
    E39 525i manual sport
    wow, the 740s are really representing the lifetime BMW ATF fluid well. What do you guys have in your trannys?

    Cosmos - Black l l Lux l HK l OEM clears all around l Depo HID's 55W 5000K l Strut bar

  24. #74
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    MIA
    Posts
    55
    My Cars
    05 R1, 00 328CI, 95 MAX
    scaryyy!!!

  25. #75
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Alexandria VA
    Posts
    36
    My Cars
    99 M3iC 98 M3/4 88M3

    Esso ATF vs Redline D4

    Very interesting thread. My 98 e36 M3, 104k mile, my only slushbox equipped car (ZF) calls for the Esso liquid gold ATF which is ridiculously priced. I'm wondering if Redline D4ATF would be OK to use?

    Many individuals (to include Brett Anderson) suggest that clean and flush could actually loosen old gunk that is effectively sealing things and lead to problems. His advice is to leave it be until it fails...from what I read in this thread, replacing has been pretty effective (Brett doesn't OWN any slushboxed BMWs ;-), but I still greatly value his advice.

    Thoughts?

    John Grills
    98 M3/4
    91 318is (track mule...soon)
    88 M3
    87 iC

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