To Change or Not to Change: Gear Box Oil

[ivanblur]

Hi all to all beemers lovers, owners and sifus in the forumI ve this question puzzling me mind, since the day I got my E46, is whether to change or not to change the gear box oil? I ve read through an existing thread on this issues buut I dont seem to get the proper answer. Anyway I hope to get some advice from sifus here on this matter as is to change or not and if its to change, where about can I get it done at the most cost effective place besides AB and Quill Auto. Quill had quoted me at around RM900++ for the change. BTW my E46 is bout 7 yrs old, milage at bout 65,000KM. Hope to hear from some sifus soon to get the bug off me mind. Thanks in advance

 

[jarance]

Do it but make sure the workshop use the original BMW ATF oil and filters.

There are alot of people who have issue with the GB when they dont use the correct ATF oil.

Check out the E46 Part and Maintainace thread for the cost.

 

[ivanblur]

Thank bro Jarance for the advice, BTW you got any recommendation of specific workshops?

 

[jarance]

Thank bro Jarance for the advice, BTW you got any recommendation of specific workshops?

My regular workshop is M1 in Segambut. Their price is abit premium but I think it worth it as I have been using them
for more than 10 years.

It would be advisable to also check out the thread "Recommended Workshop" or "Workshop frequently Used"

 

[ivanblur]

Ok Bro last but not least the final question: how much roughly it might cost to change the ATF? Thanks alot for the advice bro

 

[jarance]

bro cant remember the exact price but try looking at the below link first. I remember the ATF oil comes in 1 litre bottle.

roughly, you need about 6 bottles of ATF and 1 filter. ATF, I think about RM60 (not sure) and filter about RM150.
Please add some for the service or labour charge.



http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?55-E46-parts-amp-maintenance

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?13918-E46-Part-and-Service-Cost-II

 

[solo]

The theory is - If your mileage is between 65k and 70k, get it changed because there is nothing that is built for life. Gearbox oil included. After 70K, don't change it if there is no problem with your gearbox. Don't fix what isn't broken.

The practical - Change it for peace of mind and change it at a workshop that knows the proper procedures and offers a warranty after the change. Also, be ready if anything happens to the gearbox after the change of oil. After all, its an imperfect vehicle built by imperfect beings.

Salut

 

[Alex5522]

The theory is - If your mileage is between 65k and 70k, get it changed because there is nothing that is built for life. Gearbox oil included. After 70K, don't change it if there is no problem with your gearbox. Don't fix what isn't broken.

The practical - Change it for peace of mind and change it at a workshop that knows the proper procedures and offers a warranty after the change. Also, be ready if anything happens to the gearbox after the change of oil. After all, its an imperfect vehicle built by imperfect beings.

Salut

Change or DON'T Change ???
U did mention there is nothing that is built for life. Gearbox oil included.

REALLY conflict lar.. your comments ???

 

[Alex5522]

Hi all to all beemers lovers, owners and sifus in the forum
I ve this question puzzling me mind, since the day I got my E46, is whether to change or not to change the gear box oil? I ve read through an existing thread on this issues buut I dont seem to get the proper answer. Anyway I hope to get some advice from sifus here on this matter as is to change or not and if its to change, where about can I get it done at the most cost effective place besides AB and Quill Auto. Quill had quoted me at around RM900++ for the change. BTW my E46 is bout 7 yrs old, milage at bout 65,000KM. Hope to hear from some sifus soon to get the bug off me mind. Thanks in advance

Bro if i were u, NO 2st thought just change it for the peace of mind.

 

[solo]

Change or DON'T Change ???
U did mention there is nothing that is built for life. Gearbox oil included.

REALLY conflict lar.. your comments ???

The decision is yours. After all, it's your bimmer. For our bimmer, my Dad and I took the chance and changed it, even though the mileage was more than 70K.

Fingers crossed and touch wood, everything is okay so far.

Salut

 

[Alex5522]

The decision is yours. After all, it's your bimmer. For our bimmer, my Dad and I took the chance and changed it, even though the mileage was more than 70K.

Fingers crossed and touch wood, everything is okay so far.

Salut

Now u give more confuse u see, (my Dad and I took the chance and changed it, even though the mileage was more than 70K)
Your earlier comments (After 70K, don't change it if there is no problem with your gearbox. Don't fix what isn't broken)

 

[solo]

Now u give more confuse u see, (my Dad and I took the chance and changed it, even though the mileage was more than 70K)
Your earlier comments (After 70K, don't change it if there is no problem with your gearbox. Don't fix what isn't broken)

That is the theory. I presented you with the theory and the practical scenarios. As you know in real life theory and practical are two different things. Sometimes they both are the same, sometimes they are not.

For my Dad and I, we went against the theory and took the risk of breaking the gearbox by changing the oil.

Bear in mind, what all forummers here, including I, give you are advice. You will make the final decision on you car. This is especially true for gearboxes. They are not simple buy-off-the-shelf items.

This is why I'm presenting you with two scenarios and letting you decide, instead of giving you a straight off recommendation.

Salut

 

[ivanblur]

Thanks bro for all the advise and comments, really its a tough decision, further more i seriously dunno which workshop i should sent to??? Thought of Quill or AB but pocket might bleed like tap. Also there is no guarantee it will be ok. I am staying in Puchong and on the recommended workshop thread there is a few site at Old Klang Road but I cant seem to locate them. Any bros can pass me the contact to these fellas at Old Kilang Road so that I can get a rough quote....Thanks

 

[IanDaddy]

Ivan,

Does the car move forward from stationary position and foot off the brake when in 'D' ?

 

[ivanblur]

Ivan,

Does the car move forward from stationary position and foot off the brake when in 'D' ?

Hi IanDaddy
Yes it does move forward when the gear is in "D" with my foot off the brakes, anything wrong with that?

 

[IanDaddy]

Mine was hardly moving when in 'D'. I flushed the whole gearbox, used almost double the amount of oil needed. It is very smooth after. My mileage is a bit more than yours then.

I intend to change oil every 30-40K , alternate with a flush. I use ZF transmission oil.

 

[ivanblur]

Hi IanDaddy
ok good to hear that ur gearbox is smooth now, BTW, where you got ur flushing and oil change done and how much did it cost?

 

[IanDaddy]

It's done by a friend/mechanic in Subang Jaya, not a specialist but my E46 no problem. The cost will depends on amount of oil used, more costly. It is a unique self developed/improved flushing technique.

 

[ivanblur]

Thanks bro for all the comments and advices, finally kinda made my decision to go to AB for the ATF change: Called the Jln Tun Razak branch up yesterday and they quoted me RM700 for 7litres of transmission fluid and labour chargers: any comments on this, bro and sifus out there?

 

[ezzo369]

i was in your situation previously. even there's a sticker on the gearbox oil pan saying "No oil change or top off necessary. LIFETIME trasmission oil fill". but i decided to change it. i found some debris or sludge in the gearbox oil pan. so for me, to be safe is to change it annually...