BMW Long Life Transmission Oil for M54 engine

[James Chun]

I Change The Transmission Oil Every 20k In Order To Protect The GearBox~~

 

[Jerman]

I Change The Transmission Oil Every 20k In Order To Protect The GearBox~~

James,
Changing ATF oil at 20k interval may appeared to be too soon. Maybe 40k? Even, the standard engine oil changed for the many is now at 20-25k interval.

 

[macgy]

i believe also....Nothing last forever but look at this stat:
My bmw year 96, Change GB oil every 40k / 50k km, GB kaput around 160k km.
my bmw yr 2001, never change GB oil, now 136k km, Gb still smooth.
my bro bmw yr99, never change GB oil, now 225km, GB still smooth.
dont worry, i have been praying every day.

 

[totoro]

after 8 years of driving and current mileage of 86,288km, still haven change GB oil. price of service has increase i suppose maybe rm700 to rm800 per GB oil change.

Intending to change GB oil at 100,000 km only.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

i believe also....Nothing last forever but look at this stat:
My bmw year 96, Change GB oil every 40k / 50k km, GB kaput around 160k km.
my bmw yr 2001, never change GB oil, now 136k km, Gb still smooth.
my bro bmw yr99, never change GB oil, now 225km, GB still smooth.
dont worry, i have been praying every day.

The maximum limit for "lifetime oil" for ZF transmission is 10 years. Read the reply from ZF.

From: Darren Hayward
> Sent: Monday, 11 September 2006 12:21
> Subject: FW: Lifetime fluid for ZF transmission
>
> It is the case that some ZF transmissions are listed
> for "fill for
> life" oil types, while this does sound as though the
> transmission will
> never need the oil changed there is a limitation of
> 10
> years that
> accompanies this statement.
>
> Please note that for me to clarify for you if your
> particular
> transmission is listed under this arrangement I will
> need the 10 digit part
> number which can be found on the ID tag located on
> the
> main transmission
> housing, passengers side, just above the oil sump.
> Not
> all ZF
> transmissions are recommended for this oil type.
>
> I hope this clarifies the situation somewhat for you
> but should you
> require any further information, please do not
> hesitate to contact me
> again.
>
> Thanks & Best regards
>
>
> Darren Hayward
> Service Advisor - Transmissions & Steering
> Commercial Vehicles & Passenger Cars
>
> ZF Australia Pacific PTY LTD
> Sales & Service Organisation
> 14 Lidco St, Arndell Park
> NSW Australia 2148
> Ph: +61 2 9679-5555
> F : +61 2 9679-5500

 

[Jerman]

after 8 years of driving and current mileage of 86,288km, still haven change GB oil. price of service has increase i suppose maybe rm700 to rm800 per GB oil change.

Intending to change GB oil at 100,000 km only.

bro,
I know there has been many views on this topic........."to change or not to change"?
Remember, nothing is forever! So, there is no harm to change early but it's more harm if you change it later (and it could be too late already!)

 

[okow]

I got my ATF changed at close to 100,000 km for the 1st time and was told by my the mechanic that I was lucky that it has'nt died on me yet and that I did the right thing by changing. Was told to change after every 40,000 km thereafter and did so and 140,000km. So, my next change was to be at 180,000 but it died on me at 172,000 km.
This time, I was told by the mechanic that I was very lucky that it lived this long as it only died at 172,000 as most ZF gearboxes dont live that long - atf changed or not.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

I got my ATF changed at close to 100,000 km for the 1st time and was told by my the mechanic that I was lucky that it has'nt died on me yet and that I did the right thing by changing. Was told to change after every 40,000 km thereafter and did so and 140,000km. So, my next change was to be at 180,000 but it died on me at 172,000 km.
This time, I was told by the mechanic that I was very lucky that it lived this long as it only died at 172,000 as most ZF gearboxes dont live that long - atf changed or not.

At 172,000 don't you think your gearbox died prematurely? Something is not right. Normally, the gearbox can last as long as the car can last.

 

[okow]

At 172,000 don't you think your gearbox died prematurely? Something is not right. Normally, the gearbox can last as long as the car can last.

On the contrary bro. My 'gearbox specialist' mechanic mentioned that most of those he has fixed before kaputed at a lower mileage - between 80,000 to 120,000 km

 

[funfer_fahrer]

On the contrary bro. My 'gearbox specialist' mechanic mentioned that most of those he has fixed before kaputed at a lower mileage - between 80,000 to 120,000 km

The SMG type gear box is famous for this. Not sure about the normal ZF.

 

[nautica1973]

Guys, there has been a dearth of discussions about this issue. And i think if you compare the opinions, you would find that there are more in favour of CHANGE YOUR ATF than those who think NO NEED TO CHANGE.

The logic for the wisdom in the majority is this :- No oil lasts forever. Chemistry demands thats the very molecular structure of any given oil/fluid/liquid changes with factors of heat, friction etc. Thus, change your respective fluids/oils before it changes your transmission plates into grinding tectonic plates.

Second, do not be deceived in thinking lifetime means the life of your car. "LIFETIME" means THE LIFE OF YOUR GEARBOX. Read between the lines, the fineprints and whatnots.

As a man once said, "Do the right thing, Be a Man" and get those ATF changed.

 

[tank34]

Well said Nautica1973. I'm also a little concerned by some of the things written here. A couple of forummers have claimed that they have encountered problems in their gearbox after oil change, especially if it has been in excess of 100,000+. I find that hard to accept that because of an oil change, it caused damage to the GB? What I've been told regarding a full GB change is that the old liquids are drained completely, the new one added in and then the GB is given a quick "bedding in". The car is probably hoisted up and then run in low gear for a few minutes. I can't see how "old" sludge can dislodge and then embed itself in a new place to cause problems. Best bet for cars with mileage in access of 80k, is to do a flush. This is where the old oil is drained, new ATF poured in to "clean" out the GB, then drained again whilst added fresh transmission oil.

Also, someone in here whose car was in excess of 100,000 claimed that before he changed oil, whatever sludge/dirt was probably already bedded into the GB, when he changed oil, it must have dislodged and because of that could have caused a leak. I just don't buy that at all, it only means that the GB was not well taken off in the first place and that it is a matter of time before some serious damage is caused.

So, in conclusion, if less than 80,000, then go for a change. If in excess, consider doing a flushing, it costs more but worth the extra $$. Refreshing your ATF fluid cannot be possibly bad for the GB.

 

[nautica1973]

Tank34.

There's a verse I recall, one can't place new wine in old wineskin. I think that would be quite apt over here in this situation. Now, be that as it may, here's what i feel is the issue. Oil properties change with heat, friction and whatever else that goes on in a transmission. Over time, it loses its whatchamacallit 'the lubricating properties' and on a molecular level, it would bind together to form another substance which would fit into the nooks and crannies, gasket etc located on the transmission. now i assume when a flush is carried out, it would take with it these little molecules which are by now hardened into little pieces which good or bad might be stopping some leak, cracks etc arising from the neglect of the transmission by its previous owners.

So, as to the probability of your second paragraph taking place, i'd say yes it could very well be possible. the thing is unless one has purchased the car right off the showroom, it would be rather difficult for a subsequent owner to know exactly what sort of maintenance was provided during the car's lifetime prior to purchase. it would be advisable to maintain your ATF once every 40K kilometres travelled.

speaking of which, i'm about to hit that marker........

 

[Egon-E39]

sap sap sui lah.....

Just write to Auto Bavaria or BMW itself and get it confirmed lah.....solve the problem. if AB or BMW say no nid to change then can they give a guarantee to that? eg if GB konked due to ATF oil then we get free replacement then ok le since it is argued lifetime ATF.....anyone?

 

[turbology]

Oil properties change with heat, friction and whatever else that goes on in a transmission..

Oil properties change.... more at oxidation, humidity, and shearing.
Cheers

 

[nautica1973]

sap sap sui lah.....

Just write to Auto Bavaria or BMW itself and get it confirmed lah.....

Hmm, they'll say 'we ONLY guarantee the lifetime of the Transmission, not the lifetime of the car'...then habis la. Transmission Lifetime means something like 100,000 miles and then kaput. after that change NEW transmission mate

 

[Egon-E39]

mmmm....no nid to change ATF oil perhaps the ATF oil is good but the transmission is no good.
so in conclusion...ATF no nid change coz it is so good that it cannot help maintain the transmission....am i right here or just darn cuntfused....er...confused?

anyway for those kiasu.....then change the ATF regularly lah....otherwise kena change transmission then koyak.

 

[transporter]

hi bros,

my car is currently running at 180k km and GB is still running smooth. not sure whether the previous owner has changed it before, but the AB records shows the car has never change ATF. the car is currently on its 9th year. when i was scouting for a car that time, i notice this car when on low gear the pickup was kinda slow as compare to other E39s ...

 

[mizhan]

i change my M54's slushbox oil after i get my annual bonus each year GB is still as sweet at new!