Collecting Statistics on BMW auto transmission and Lifetime ATF

[fuddyduddy121]

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.

How long did it make the noise for - about a minute or two or longer?

[mrhankyco2]

mine is a 1995 740IL with 137,000 miles. I actually took the car to the dealer at 100,000 miles for a tranny fluid and filter change thinking i did not want to tackle myself and did not want to trust to non=bmw shop. They told me it was lifetime and actually refused to change it even though i asked them to.

[lps]

I have a 1997 528i with 160K miles. I bought it used at 72K. Never changed the atf fluid, but have seriously thought about it many times. Dealer advised against it. I just bought a 2002 530i with 5 spd manual, and am passing the 528i down to my son. I may change the fluid in both (my deal with my son is that he will pay to make some necessary repairs to the 528, and help me with the DIY ones. Perhaps I'll throw a transmission fluid, filter and gasket change in with the rest). The transmission shifts fine, and I've never had any problems, but at 160K miles, I'm starting to be concerned about potential problems.

[wkhine]

I have 99 323I (auto)since Brand New and I now have 92K miles on it. I have not touched and changed the ATF oil since.. Dealer and BMW Certified Shop did not want to touch on it either....Still shift smoothly.. like new...

[Jade93740i]

First of all, what a great forum. I'm so happy I found it.

My '93 740i has 125k and seems to shift smoothly, although I must confess to not being too familiar with Bimmers. I'm almost certain the tranny has never been serviced.

The car has a small leak of a fluid I suspect to be too clear to be from the tranny, but I can't tell where it is coming from, so I'm curious what color the original tranny fluid is. And just to confirm, this car was fitted with the E38 tranny, right?

It seems like most of the cars described on here are 3- or 5-series, or 7-series newer than mine, so I'm still left feeling a little clueless as to what ATF fluids are safe to put in my model tranny. And I'd also like to get more opinions on how to perform the fluid (and filter?) change on my model. Of course mechanics I've managed to talk to suggest against servicing the tranny.

Any advice or direction to other forums/threads would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[bimmerZ5]

...
The car has a small leak of a fluid I suspect to be too clear to be from the tranny, but I can't tell where it is coming from, so I'm curious what color the original tranny fluid is. And just to confirm, this car was fitted with the E38 tranny, right?

Transmission fluid is usually not clear. The only fluids I can think of that are potentially clear or may seem clear is water or brake fluid. With the engine cool, check your coolant level. Check your brake fluid level. Put some white cardboard paper under your car to catch the leak. Is the substance water like or slippery (like brake fluid)?

It seems like most of the cars described on here are 3- or 5-series, or 7-series newer than mine, so I'm still left feeling a little clueless as to what ATF fluids are safe to put in my model tranny.

I can't be 100% certain and the best way is to check your transmission directly. But, according to technical documents I have, your transmission is 5HP30 (A5S560Z) and uses the semi-synthetic ATF from Shell known as LA2634. If you're looking for an aftermarket alternative, the only one I know that specifically states compatibility with this particular Shell ATF is Valvoline Mercon V ATF.

And I'd also like to get more opinions on how to perform the fluid (and filter?) change on my model. Of course mechanics I've managed to talk to suggest against servicing the tranny. ...

I don't know why your mechanics recommend against service. The whole "lifetime" ATF thing with BMW wasn't in effect for your model year; I could be mistaken. I believe the recommended interval was something like 60K or 100K miles. Check your owner's manual and see what it states.

As you can see from the data collected here, if your auto tranny is going to fail, you have a higher chance of failure by not servicing it. Though, keep in mind, this poll is not conclusive and has a few problems.

As far as servicing the transmission, it probably isn't much different than the newer transmission except for parts and fluids. Some auto transmissions don't have a filter that needs replacing and instead just require cleaning (speaking non-BMW specific here). See if you can obtain a service manual for your car and that should provide the information you need.

[elton123]

that's interesting. i've never heard about buying the ATF from a ZF dealer. How do you find the nearest ZF dealer?

HEy can you help me, and tell me what type of fluid my 95 325I actually uses? I recently did a fluid change with Mobil 1 syn atf and car is slipping, fluid level is ok. thanks

[bimmerZ5]

HEy can you help me, and tell me what type of fluid my 95 325I actually uses? I recently did a fluid change with Mobil 1 syn atf and car is slipping, fluid level is ok. thanks

I believe your transmission is the THM-R1, but that could be one of two A4S310R or A4S270R. Either way, it had a factory fill of one of the following:

Unical Dexron III-D Multi-Purpose ATF
Castrol Dexron III - Mercon
Texaco ATF Mercon - Dexron III

As of 9/95, on the same fluid, BMW designated this Lifetime fluid even though in prior years it didn't.

Either way, I do believe Mobil1 Syn ATF is a compatible ATF for your transmission. I think it is basically a GM 4L30E transmission, which uses Dexron-III.

[E36cruisin]

I put the redline fluid in my transmission at 115,000 miles, and my transmission went from shifting like shit to shifting smooth as hell. The fluid that came out was so dirty and disgusting. Everyone should change their fluid and filter.

[joyfret]

mechanics I've managed to talk to suggest against servicing the tranny.

I agree with bimmerZ5. The lifetime fluid was not in effect with your year
model. I found a useful link for E32.

http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_12.htm

It has ATF change procedures as well as types of tranny and etc.

[Cabo740i]

'99 740i w/108,000 miles, I had the dealer replace the fluid. It shifted smoother, and the fluid they took out was, "muddy." The service tech called it a, "Good move."

[bimmerZ5]

'99 740i w/108,000 miles, I had the dealer replace the fluid. It shifted smoother, and the fluid they took out was, "muddy." The service tech called it a, "Good move."

That is certainly one of the few times I've heard where a dealership service tech agreed to do it and called it a good move.

[Cabo740i]

Really? Props to Chapman BMW of Scottsdale then.

[jonmcc]

That is certainly one of the few times I've heard where a dealership service tech agreed to do it and called it a good move.

Performance BMW here in chapel hill encourages the ATF change...when I asked my service guy about it he said "we dont buy that whole lifetime fluid crap, we recommend you change it before 100k" the only reason I didnt do it there was they quoted me something like $550.

[Cabo740i]

They charged me $350. I know, ouch.

[nat]

I changed mine at 100k. The fluid was black, the magnet was covered in debris, and the filter looked like a giant rotting prune. I did replace the cooler and drain the cooler lines as much as possible but I didn't flush out the torque converter, so I used a simple synthetic ATF that was compatible with both Dexron and Mercon fluids. The transmission was slamming when starting after braking, and the cooler was getting replaced anyway, and without these circumstances I probably wouldn't have done this, but I am glad that I did. Made a huge improvment in the way the car drove.

[aguywhoposts]

Dealer is fairly adamant against.

[HackerF15E]

I have just purchased a '98 UK-spec 323i with 130K. After reading this thread (as a BMW newbie) I'm still completely undecided as to if it's worth it to change the ATF.

I'm fairly mechanically able, but have never changed ATF before...is it better to take it to a BMW specialist (but, as many have said, avoid the dealerships) or try to change it out myself.

How do I find out what kind of transmission fluid my E36 uses? (it has the A5S 310Z model transmission)

Thanks guys...glad to have found this forum.

[uncle]

I think the problem is the dealers do not have anyone trained to change the fluid properly, at high mileage they understand the consequences if changed-refilled incorrectly, are cognizant that there can be other problems and in general don't want to fool around with it. Of course, they are very interested in installing a remanufactured unit.

[lps]

I just completed the transmission fluid change on my 1997 528i. As noted in my post above, it has 160,000 miles, and I don't think the fluid has ever been changed. I bought it used with 72,000 miles on it. I replaced the filter and pan gaskets, as well. I used Dextron III (which is what was what was originally in the transmission). According to the Bentley manual, my transmission has a capacity of 3.5 quarts (4 or something like that if you change the torque converter). That's pretty close to how much fluid I got back into the tranny after draining it, removing the pans, cleaning everything up, and putting it back together again. I'll check the level again in a couple of days to make sure it's right.

The magnet did have sort of a "gel" like metallic gunk on it, which I cleaned off. But for 162K miles, it wasn't anything that I didn't expect to see (in fact, I expected worse). The fluid that came out was quite dark, and a burgundy color (not burnt looking, but definitely not clean).

The transmission now shifts as smooth as silk. It shifted very well before, but there is a noticeable difference now that I've changed the fluid.

I will say, however, that given the fact that I had 162K on it, I'm impressed with what I found. I'm glad I changed the fluid (assuming nothing bad happens to my transmission over the next month or two), but the "lifetime" fluid did seem to hold up quite well. Of course, I've never abused the transmission (i.e. no burnounts).

While I was at it, I also replaced the radiator and hoses (I had recently done the water pump, fan clutch, and thermostat), and replaced the valve cover gasket.

My two older sons helped me, so it was a great father/son experience, and we all have a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. (Of course, if the motor blows up next week, that sense will probable evaporate).

[OffLine]

I appreciate the helpful and professional postings I’ve read in this forum. Perhaps someone will be kind enough to offer some thoughts on this issue.
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Our ’03 X5 4.6is, 30K miles, has had an unusual odor emanating from the rear of the engine compartment, driver’s side, for the past year. It is most noticeable immediately after the car has been driven and ambient temp is warm. In an enclosed space (like a parking garage) it can be smelled several car-lengths away—by me, at least.
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The dealer has been less than helpful… “smells normal to me,” “smells like a dead gecko, wash out the engine compartment,” “smells like, um, a motor to me,” “do you feel OK?” Maybe I am FOS but...
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Then, driving last night I noticed an unusual noise was getting louder—sounded like the whine of a power steering pump, rising and falling with engine RPM. Or could it be the alternator…or transmission. Eureka, that’s it! Well, maybe not the transmission making the noise, but the smell was suddenly familiar--the bitter, acrid, stinky odor of old, burned ATF!
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But the car only has 30K miles…and it’s been stinking for at least 10K miles. How could an AT fail in such a short time? I noticed others have reported burned ATF but they had a LOT more miles, and others have said the dealer won’t even talk about changing ATF on “lifetime” transmissions. My 4yr factory warranty expires in Jan 07, so I’ll need to get the dealer/BMW to take action ASAP. If it is, in fact, my transmission whining, then I assume the problem will finally be solved. If it’s the power steering or alternator whining, then the noise will be fixed but not the stink.
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Any comments or insights would be appreciated.

[1980e12mpl]

1980 528i e12
Changed the screen and oil at unknown mileage well in excess of 200k on my old e12. Worked great for unknown mileage in excess of...unknown mileage...but it lasted till sold 4 years later.

1997 318is e36 m44
Changed by dealer at just under 100k. Now at 195k - no problems. Considering doing it again.

[I am CDN Josh]

I changed mine @ 120k, followed the instructions on pelican parts, used castrol Dex III. So far so good, car seemed to shift smoother after the change. When I changed it, there was the usual debris on the magnet and the fluid was a little dark. Only reason I changed it was because I wanted to do some preventative maintenance, not to make a "quick fix" on a failing transmission.

[uncle]

Please note, everyone who has changed the fluid mentioned some "fuzz" on the magnet and various levels of discoloration. Also, "transmission shifts better" is the norm. Preventative maintenance is the word for long life.
Modern automatic transmissions should last 300,000 plus miles. They are precision manufactured, use modern seals, and friction materials. When people talk about a replacement at 125K+ as expected, I simply laugh.

[elton123]

Im still trying to figure why there wasnt a magnet on the inside of my pan, and wether that might be a cause of why my tranyy is slipping, another odd thing is it doesnt slip when its cold only when it fully warmed up..