I had the gearbox oil and filter in my CBU changed last month and immediately felt the dirrerence...gear change is smooth...just like new. Went up Cameron Highlands on Friday....2.5 hours from Kota Kemuning via Simpang Pulai to Tana Rata. Returned yesterday and gearbox still in great shape. No regrets....will post the cost later (gotta check the receipt).
E46 Transmission Fluid
- Thread starter Juan Powerblow
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Juan Powerblow
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Originally posted by r424@Apr 20 2006, 08:44 AM
So far, my tranny is holding up well and I can even feel quicker and smoother gearshifts compared to before the fluid change. I've been consulting other gurus too who seem to allay the concerns. They suggest you go to a place which does a full flush (more expensive) as opposed to just a sump change. The former requires specialised equipment. You can check with Schone if Heritage has this facility. For me, I think my mekanik used the latter method which may not be so good although the replacement fluid he used, an Esso Synthetic formula looks acceptable...
Hi Juan,
I'm interested to know how is yr tranny doing so far?
Do you mind letting us know?
Thanks. [/quote]
It's been 10,000 kms since I changed it and it's been holding up pretty well, no gripes at all. With my E46 325i heading for the 5-year old mark in 6 months, I'm quite relieved I did the fluid change rather than wait for it to go pop. I've heard of some people's transmission failing with less mileage than me, so touch wood, I hope I did the right thing.
my story continues.....
Two months after my 2003 E39 520i warranty expired (2 years with unlimited mileage),the tranny failed AGAIN in ghastly similar fashion as my previous E46 325i.Clocked 101k km without any single ATF oil changed,AB replaced a brand new tranny FOC.
In slightly more then 2 years duration,2 units of BMW ZF tranny failed on the hand of a same driver,many will think i am some reckless driver but i am telling the truth is just the other way.
Two lessons learned so far.....
1. E46 325I: flywheel oil seal leaks at 100k km,replaced seal and tranny failed at 133k km.
2. E39 520I: tranny failed at 101k km with no ATF oil changed.
Any one keen to add more ?.....
Two months after my 2003 E39 520i warranty expired (2 years with unlimited mileage),the tranny failed AGAIN in ghastly similar fashion as my previous E46 325i.Clocked 101k km without any single ATF oil changed,AB replaced a brand new tranny FOC.
In slightly more then 2 years duration,2 units of BMW ZF tranny failed on the hand of a same driver,many will think i am some reckless driver but i am telling the truth is just the other way.
Two lessons learned so far.....
1. E46 325I: flywheel oil seal leaks at 100k km,replaced seal and tranny failed at 133k km.
2. E39 520I: tranny failed at 101k km with no ATF oil changed.
Any one keen to add more ?.....
Please visit the following:
http://www.bavauto.com/newsletter/20...newsletter.pdf
very interesting....
http://www.bavauto.com/newsletter/20...newsletter.pdf
very interesting....
T
three28
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Welcome back bro/....
Shite ... ur e39 tranny also kaput ar ???
guess they know u at AB now eh ???
heehhehehehehe
cheers mate
Hi to all! Newbie here. I was also in a position to decide either to do a transmission oil change or not to do one. I finally decided to get it done and i hope i had made the right decision. To my understanding, no oil can last forever. I called up AB and they told me that no oil change is required and if the gearbox fails after 2years or 100,000km from the date of purchase, you are on your own, the most they can do (they told me) is that they will write a letter to BMW malaysia and they will make the final decision whether to replace your gearbox FOC or not. My 2003 E46 325i is at 47000km on the clock when I done the oil change. According to my workshop, my car is equiped with a ZF unit and the correct oil will be the ESS0 LT71141 which is gold in colour. My old transmission oil was already black in colour. I also replaced the gearbox filter and a new oil seal. Was wondering if the gearbox is for life, why would they need a gearbox filter?. Some ppl told me that the gearbox is seal shut but there is an outlet to drain the old oil out and an inlet at the side to pump in new oil. The only difficult part is to change the gearbox filter which requires to remove the oil sum.
Been driving about 3000km now and everything seems to be ok. The mechanic told me not to worry and said that I had made the right decision in prolonging my gearbox life. I hope he is right. He also told me that he had done many E46 gearbox oil change for many years and no complain so far. He said he will be even more affraid if the gearbox fails after the oil change which the customer will come back screaming at him :getyourfactsright: .
p/s I have a pic of my gearbox with the oil sum removed. Check out the electronics.
Newbie here. I was also in a position to decide either to do a transmission oil change or not to do one. I finally decided to get it done and i hope i had made the right decision. To my understanding, no oil can last forever. I called up AB and they told me that no oil change is required and if the gearbox fails after 2years or 100,000km from the date of purchase, you are on your own, the most they can do (they told me) is that they will write a letter to BMW malaysia and they will make the final decision whether to replace your gearbox FOC or not. My 2003 E46 325i is at 47000km on the clock when I done the oil change. According to my workshop, my car is equiped with a ZF unit and the correct oil will be the ESS0 LT71141 which is gold in colour. My old transmission oil was already black in colour. I also replaced the gearbox filter and a new oil seal. Was wondering if the gearbox is for life, why would they need a gearbox filter?. Some ppl told me that the gearbox is seal shut but there is an outlet to drain the old oil out and an inlet at the side to pump in new oil. The only difficult part is to change the gearbox filter which requires to remove the oil sum.Been driving about 3000km now and everything seems to be ok. The mechanic told me not to worry and said that I had made the right decision in prolonging my gearbox life. I hope he is right. He also told me that he had done many E46 gearbox oil change for many years and no complain so far. He said he will be even more affraid if the gearbox fails after the oil change which the customer will come back screaming at him :getyourfactsright: .
p/s I have a pic of my gearbox with the oil sum removed. Check out the electronics.
Hi Cream,
can you tell us which workshop you went to and the price you paid for the service. My car is the exact spec as yours, 2003 E46 325i and is on the same mileage. A mechanic I spoke to from M1 says that he would not have changed the oil at 45,000km, but perhaps in 2 years time at 70,000+km.
can you tell us which workshop you went to and the price you paid for the service. My car is the exact spec as yours, 2003 E46 325i and is on the same mileage. A mechanic I spoke to from M1 says that he would not have changed the oil at 45,000km, but perhaps in 2 years time at 70,000+km.
Hi cream,
Both your testimonial and Juan's reply on the issue sound
very assuring.I've seen the fluid change done on another model too
and I agree how blackish the old fuid looked before the change.
My car's odo now is at 38k.Maybe can hang on a while more?
Both your testimonial and Juan's reply on the issue sound
very assuring.I've seen the fluid change done on another model too
and I agree how blackish the old fuid looked before the change.
My car's odo now is at 38k.Maybe can hang on a while more?
Juan Powerblow
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I only did my first time oil change at 85,000 kms and yes, it was as black as midnight with my mechanic remarking in a typical china-man way, "how can this last a lifetime leh?!!...". He has also done many tranny fluid changes with no cumplaints. My next change would be in 115,000 kms.
okow
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These statements were taken from 2 sites that I searched...one on a VW and the other BMW. Have a read and make your own conclusion. I guess we are not alone.
"At my last BMWCCA meeting I read an actual letter from the chief engineer for ZF transmissions used in the BMW's.
He said that these trannies were not designed for any type of lifetime fluid- period and recommended the fluid/filter be changed every 60K miles. No exceptions. He mentioned in the letter that he did not know that BMW was using a lifetime fluid and strongly urged them not to do that after discovering this.
"My mechanic (BimmerWerks, Harahan LA) is a member of a world wide tech group of BMW mechanics and shop owners. They all agree that the lifetime tranny fluid is BUNK.
This particular ZF engineer is part of that group too.
Note- if you ever have to have your tranny worked on, and the fluid is drained-- the BMW dealer will reuse the fluid!! Yes- pur it right back in! Incredible but true. Only if you insist, will they use new fluid (about 150.00 a bottle- @ 2 per tranny)
Coincidentally, the Lifetime fluid is made right here in nearby New Orleans LA, and shipped to Germany. Our shop looked into buying directly from them, but were unsuccesful."
and the other:
"We all know that synthetics are much better lubricants than mineral-base oils. They protect better and last longer... BUT THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER... as VW implies with their "Lifetime" automatic transmission fluid (ATF). In a legal context, "Lifetime" really means the duration of "VW Powertrain Warranty". Upon its expiration, the $JOKE$ is on you.
After having done some reading about VW's mysterious lifetime ATF, I just replaced the ATF and filter for my NB. The filter & oil pan were coated with a layer of sediment of shiny, metallic shavings. I didn't take any pictures but here's a thread posted by an Audi owner who had sent his used ATF to a lab for an oil analysis...
(note: Audi & VW use the same ATF):
http://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/22083.phtml ... look at the oil specs"
"At my last BMWCCA meeting I read an actual letter from the chief engineer for ZF transmissions used in the BMW's.
He said that these trannies were not designed for any type of lifetime fluid- period and recommended the fluid/filter be changed every 60K miles. No exceptions. He mentioned in the letter that he did not know that BMW was using a lifetime fluid and strongly urged them not to do that after discovering this.
"My mechanic (BimmerWerks, Harahan LA) is a member of a world wide tech group of BMW mechanics and shop owners. They all agree that the lifetime tranny fluid is BUNK.
This particular ZF engineer is part of that group too.
Note- if you ever have to have your tranny worked on, and the fluid is drained-- the BMW dealer will reuse the fluid!! Yes- pur it right back in! Incredible but true. Only if you insist, will they use new fluid (about 150.00 a bottle- @ 2 per tranny)
Coincidentally, the Lifetime fluid is made right here in nearby New Orleans LA, and shipped to Germany. Our shop looked into buying directly from them, but were unsuccesful."
and the other:
"We all know that synthetics are much better lubricants than mineral-base oils. They protect better and last longer... BUT THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER... as VW implies with their "Lifetime" automatic transmission fluid (ATF). In a legal context, "Lifetime" really means the duration of "VW Powertrain Warranty". Upon its expiration, the $JOKE$ is on you.
After having done some reading about VW's mysterious lifetime ATF, I just replaced the ATF and filter for my NB. The filter & oil pan were coated with a layer of sediment of shiny, metallic shavings. I didn't take any pictures but here's a thread posted by an Audi owner who had sent his used ATF to a lab for an oil analysis...
(note: Audi & VW use the same ATF):
http://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/22083.phtml ... look at the oil specs"
valkryie
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i think it is best to change once every 2 years or 40K kms. No harm changing it earlier anyways. Also it depends how hard you drive your car. If you just roll your car on the road then maybe can stretch the interval longer. I change mine when it almost touch 70K and I wish I had done it sooner.
Transmission much smoother than before change.
E46Fanatic
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After reading these posts... I think I'll consider changing the tranny fluid same place where JPB did his....
Tranny is still very smooth now (61+k kms) but it doesnt seem to bite as hard as before.. i.e. more slippage.
Tranny is still very smooth now (61+k kms) but it doesnt seem to bite as hard as before.. i.e. more slippage.
