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 126 to 150 of 591

Thread: Collecting Statistics on BMW auto transmission and Lifetime ATF

  1. #126
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Racine, Wisconsin
    Posts
    13
    My Cars
    1995 BMW 530i
    Ok, so I did the trans fluid change. Put in the AMsoil synth... now its smooth as silk after my initial drive. Just finished it this AM. I am glad I did it. I hope I don't see any problems down the line with it, but man, its as smooth as silk now. It shifts better than my 2000 Trans Am did the day I bought it.
    ___________________________
    1995 BMW 530i - Orient Blue
    125,000 miles.

  2. #127
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Woodstock, IL United States
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    98 BMW 528I
    I also have put in Amsoil Universal Synthetic Transmission Fluild. My transmission takes 9.3 quarts. I have only done drains though. I figured the fluid wasn't extremely dark for 125k and decided to not break the seal. I get out 3 quarts each time. I have drained it twice. When doing the math I have over 50 percent new fluid in there. The transmission shifts alot better. There isn't anymore hard shifts from 1-2 and 2-3 and also downshifts. The first shifts in the morning are also alot better too. I looked into fluids from Redline but wasn't convinced it would be a better fluid. I really do believe that Amsoil makes the best product as far as trans and diff fluids go. I plan on draining the fluid one more time so I have a majority being fresh. Doing the math it will be over 70 percent. I also plan on changing the differential fluid to Amsoil Gear Lube. When I am done I will post the results.

  3. #128
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Kansas City MO
    Posts
    8,631
    My Cars
    Too Many
    Can someone please tell me what kind of fluid I need to put in my 92 525i automatic? Build date 04-92

    Im going to do a service and report back with what happens afterwards..

    Id like to use Royal Purple.. is that a no no?

    My second choice is Amsoil..

  4. #129
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Lenexa, Ks
    Posts
    3,465
    My Cars
    19 Cooper S
    Royal Purple is OK. OE should have been Dexron III.

  5. #130
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Kansas City MO
    Posts
    8,631
    My Cars
    Too Many
    Quote Originally Posted by DeanP View Post
    Royal Purple is OK. OE should have been Dexron III.
    What should I use Dean? I've got a serive kit shipping out tomorrow.. Im going to do this thing next week.

  6. #131
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Lenexa, Ks
    Posts
    3,465
    My Cars
    19 Cooper S
    Go with Royal Purple, it's called MAX ATF.

  7. #132
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    S.F., Ca.
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    92 525I, 02 EXT, 02 M3
    My girlfriend's 92 525I had transmission problems about 18 months ago. I don't know what service was done to it before, but we had the transmission rebuilt at a local AMMCO shop. The people there said that it had the ZF transmission in it. The car never really ran properly after the car came out and the shop continuely said that the car was fine. So i went to a BMW specialist and he changed some parts and I just noticed on the receipt that he gave my girlfrind the transmission was changed to the GM trasmission. The estimate he gave her had teh transmission listed as a ZF. The car is still having propblems and I have flushed the transmission fluid twice. SO I think that preventitive replacing the transmission fluid would have solved this problem.

  8. #133
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Carol Stream
    Posts
    42
    My Cars
    E36 M3 Touring 2
    100k change it !!! just make sure you know exhactly what trany you have and which fluid goes in there.

  9. #134
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Studio City, Ca. USA
    Posts
    897
    My Cars
    2001 740i
    01 E38 81K no ATF change, no problems.

    I have decided to change the AFT asap. I am going to purchase ATF from Bavauto.com. Bavauto says that it is Esso LT 71141. It carries the same part# that VW dealership uses. G 052 162 A2. Any opinions out there on this plan of action? Does any one know if the bavauto filter is a "Filtran"?

  10. #135
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Carol Stream
    Posts
    42
    My Cars
    E36 M3 Touring 2
    you can't go by year . you have to go by VIN# or what trany you have "check the sticker on trany" or call dealer give them last 7 of the vin# and they will tell you what fluid goes in there. ATF i think $10 per liter ,only one think it comes in 20 liter jug at BMW

  11. #136
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Kansas City MO
    Posts
    8,631
    My Cars
    Too Many
    Quote Originally Posted by edvaracing View Post
    you can't go by year . you have to go by VIN# or what trany you have "check the sticker on trany" or call dealer give them last 7 of the vin# and they will tell you what fluid goes in there. ATF i think $10 per liter ,only one think it comes in 20 liter jug at BMW
    The Bentley manual will tell you.. I realised this after looking up the qauntity I needed.

    BTW.. Your sig will be disabled and you won't able to have one if you leave that up. Gif files arent allowed, and Im pretty sure its over the size restriction as well.. Just a friendly warning.

  12. #137
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Carol Stream
    Posts
    42
    My Cars
    E36 M3 Touring 2
    price is too hight at bavauto ,dealer sells for $10

  13. #138
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Carol Stream
    Posts
    42
    My Cars
    E36 M3 Touring 2
    i did not know that i can't have animated ,sorry will take it down

  14. #139
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Augusta, GA
    Posts
    4,238
    My Cars
    '15 F-type S & '95 525i
    My '97 3-series has 135,000 miles on the clock and I don't think the trasnmission fluid has ever been changed. Tranny seems to shift just fine.

  15. #140
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Studio City, Ca. USA
    Posts
    897
    My Cars
    2001 740i
    01 E38 81k.
    Getting ready to do a DIY ATF change. I'm a little nervous about the possibility of stripping out one or more of the 22 TORX 27s on the ATF pan. I am thinking about using my handheld impact driver with a TORX 27 bit to loosen all 22 bolts. Is this safe? Would be grateful for any thoughts, suggestions or warnings.

  16. #141
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    New Orleans, Louisiana
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    1996 BMW 750iL
    No service yet on a 1996 750iL tranny with 69K, but it has trouble deciding whether to be in 4th or 5th between 40 and 55. Will probably do the BMW fluid drain and refill, but you can purchase the fluid from ZF dealers for around $12-13/liter versus the $50 at the dealership

    10-18-07 Update
    Got the 'Trans Failsafe Prog' error message Monday, locked up in 4th until I shut it off. Several shifts later did it again. I am fortunate enough to have a local ZF distributor (TRANSTAR) here in New Orleans, and they (Jason) has been very helpful.
    20 liters Esso LT71141 fluid - $289
    1 valve body renew kit from ZF - $125
    1 filter/'O' ring and screws from ZF - $70.
    Offered to sell me the manual if I needed it for $70.

    Taking dealership the parts and car this afternoon. I don't think that they will service the valve body. If not, I will do it myself.
    Last edited by stevefisk; 10-18-2007 at 10:48 AM.

  17. #142
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Chula Vista, CA
    Posts
    3,474
    My Cars
    Z3 3.0i Roadster, E39 530i, Toyota Previa S/C
    Quote Originally Posted by stevefisk View Post
    Will probably do the BMW fluid drain and refill, but you can purchase the fluid from ZF dealers for around $12-13/liter versus the $50 at the dealership.
    that's interesting. i've never heard about buying the ATF from a ZF dealer. How do you find the nearest ZF dealer?

  18. #143
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Carol Stream
    Posts
    42
    My Cars
    E36 M3 Touring 2
    ZF does not have any dealers exept BMW,Mercedes<Audi,Volskwagen and etc authorized dealers <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 border=0>United States

    <TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc colSpan=2> ZF Sales and Service North America, LLC.
    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc colSpan=2> 777 Hickory Hill Drive
    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc colSpan=2> US 60061 Vernon Hills - IL
    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc colSpan=2> Illinois
    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc> Phone:
    </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc> ++1(847)478 6868
    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc> Fax:
    </TD><TD vAlign=top align=left bgColor=#dcdcdc> ++1(847)478 6843
    </TD></TR></TBODY>
    </TABLE>
    and 1996 cars should have regular ATF , check trany first i guess

  19. #144
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Mountain View, CA
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    98 740iL, 97 318ti, 73 MGB

    auto transmission servicing

    I have an 98 740iL E38 and a 97 E36 318ti both with automatic transmissions and had Dinan service both transmissions with new BMW fluid at ~80k miles.

  20. #145
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    1991 LS400-Benihana 2001 BMW 740iL-Munchhausen

    Never touched it, failed and need replace at 50k

    Mercifully, it was under CPO warranty. Tranny was slipping in reverse and dealer went with full replacement....

  21. #146
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    292
    My Cars
    '01 325 Ci
    I have always been a firm believer that regular fluid/filter changes (all kinds) will extend the life of any vehicle. I bought my ‘01 325Ci used with 68K, and had the pan dropped and filter changed, along with @ 6qts of ATF. I also used Amsoil's Universal Synthetic Transmission Fluid. Shifts smoother and runs quieter, although I had no problems to begin with. The BMW mechanic said the pan was clean and the fluid was only a little grey, but changed out just for preventative maintenance. I will continue with 30K intervals from now on. My .02 cents.

  22. #147
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Hong kong
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    318ci
    E46 318Ci (right hand drive)
    2/2000 production
    M43TU / 4Speed
    Current milage: 11,000km

    Asked stealer to topup a little of AT fiuld due to split of transmission fuild loss while removing heat exchanger.

    Actually i did not have the AT fuild replaced.

    Zero fault.

  23. #148
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Ventura, CA
    Posts
    2,759
    My Cars
    95 M3, 83 MBZ 300D
    95 M3 with ZF 5 speed (ESSO fluid)

    Going on 170,000 with the seal never broken. Though I'm starting to consider this as it doesn't shift as crisply as it did when i bought it at 120,000.

  24. #149
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Canton, Ohio
    Posts
    431
    My Cars
    1997 328iS - Boston Grün
    Changed my ATF with Esso LT fluid and the torque converter started making a raspy whirring noise when cold. Used OEM filter. Warranty covered the repair ($2000) and noise is gone. It leaves me wondering... Fluid change did solve rough 1st to 2nd shift problem I was having tho.
    Last edited by xaxis360; 10-13-2006 at 02:17 PM.

  25. #150
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Canton, Ohio
    Posts
    431
    My Cars
    1997 328iS - Boston Grün
    Quote Originally Posted by 01sport View Post
    01 E38 81k.
    Getting ready to do a DIY ATF change. I'm a little nervous about the possibility of stripping out one or more of the 22 TORX 27s on the ATF pan. I am thinking about using my handheld impact driver with a TORX 27 bit to loosen all 22 bolts. Is this safe? Would be grateful for any thoughts, suggestions or warnings.

    Don't worry about stripping the bolts. They are not heavily torqued. I took a can of brake parts cleaner and an old toothbrush and sprayed all the gunk out before attempting to break them loose. And oh, I sprtized them with some PB blaster before getting started. Get a high-quality torx bit and be patient if you get a stubborn one. It's a lot of tedious work to remove that thing, but once its off, you will be happy you did when you look inside...

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