E90 transmission oil change

[astroboy]

Mmhhh, if I understand correctly - ZF boxes will be easier on the pocket should it go "BUST". Is that correct?

Look at it this way, ZF box, you can replace item by item. End of the day, accumulated cost would not be cheap. GM box, you need to get a recond unit, end of the day, cost may adds up to be the same but in the ZF, components replaced are brand new original.

Hi AB,

My ATF was replaced when I got my ride and the service reminder sticker there states 20k mileage only. But I thought ATF normally can last longer...Need advise man..

There's 9L of ATF in our ZF box but it's impossible to replace all due to those hidden in cavities, pipelines and of course the torque converter. Everytime replace, if just drain without opening the oil pan, only 3.xxL gets replaced, if open ATF pan, about 7~8L gets replaced.

At first BMW says their ATF last life time of the car, but the definition of "LifeTime" differs greatly in this continent. Then they say LifeTime = 160k km. What they are trying to say, the life of the gearbox last about 160k km. Meaning changing ATF at 160k km would be too late. Some recommends not exceeding 80k km, some say 60k km, while the JDM manufacturers are stipulating 40k km.

The ATF quality deteriorates from day 1. So the more distance you use the ATF, it's quality deteriorates over usages. What I'm trying to say is a car that replaces ATF every 20k km, it's gearbox will last longer than another that replaces every 40k km, and so forth.

My personal rule of thumb for the E90 is, 40k km for my first ATF change without removing pan/strainer. 80 km to replaces ATF PLUS strainer. Some prefer ATF PLUS strainer at 60k km interval, while some stick 80k km interval.

For my aging JDM MPV, I'm reducing the ATF change interval from 40k km to 20k km because ATF is cheap, only RM20/L, compare to ZF LifeGuard RM55/L !!!

 

[Darren Chew]

Where did they stick that reminder sticker at? I didn't get that when I replaced mine.

Normally they will put service reminder at the top of our windscreen mer...

 

[choq]

mine

ZF

50 - 60km = ATF + Strainer

 

[Darren Chew]

Look at it this way, ZF box, you can replace item by item. End of the day, accumulated cost would not be cheap. GM box, you need to get a recond unit, end of the day, cost may adds up to be the same but in the ZF, components replaced are brand new original.



There's 9L of ATF in our ZF box but it's impossible to replace all due to the many hidden in cavities, pipelines and of course the torque converter. Everytime replace, if just drain without opening the oil pan, only 3.xxL gets replaced, if open ATF, about 7~8L gets replaced.

At first BMW says their ATF last life time of the car, but the definition of "LifeTime" differs greatly in this continent. Then they say LifeTime = 160k km. What they are trying to say, the life of the gearbox last about 160k km. Meaning changing ATF at 160k km would be too late. Some recommends not exceeding 80k km, some say 60k km, while the JDM manufacturers are stipulating 40k km.

The ATF quality deteriorates from day 1. So the more distance you use the ATF, it's quality deteriorates over usages. What I'm trying to say is a car that replaces ATF every 20k km, it's gearbox will last longer than another that replaces every 40k km, and so forth.

My personal rule of thumb for the E90 is, 40k km for my first ATF change without removing pan/strainer. 80 km to replaces ATF PLUS strainer. Some prefer ATF PLUS strainer at 60k km interval, while some stick 80k km interval.

For my aging JDM MPV, I'm reducing the ATF change interval from 40k km to 20k km because ATF is cheap, only RM20/L, compare to ZF LifeGuard RM55/L !!!

AB Sifu,
You are one of the legendary forum members. Thanks for the input!

 

[astroboy]

AB Sifu,
You are one of the legendary forum members. Thanks for the input!

Hehe.. I like to post only.. Info are all gathered from other fellow members.. Many sifus around.. :4: