[Blk07335i]

Sorry about that...Somehow my message got lost when I hit submit. Anyway the story is I got my auto trans fluid changed today by my local independent bmw guy (great shop BTW www.precisionmotors.com). I'm at 41K and knew I wasn't going to wait until 100K so I had it done. Big difference in performance after the change. Smoother, faster shifts. Feels like it did when I first drove it. I highly recommend getting this done especially if you plan on keeping the car past 50K. My suggestion is to purchase the parts separately and then just pay for the labor. Fluid and other parts are very expensive for this car. BTW, used trans fluid stinks. When they drained the old fluid it stunk up the entire shop.

[samchoi604]

which fluid did you use? OEM?

[hun77777]

how much did u pay?

[whn]

what other parts needs to be replaced at the same time? Im going to get my auto trans fuild changed in next service. Im currently at 93500km/58000 miles.

[hun77777]

Originally Posted by whn

what other parts needs to be replaced at the same time? Im going to get my auto trans fuild changed in next service. Im currently at 93500km/58000 miles.

just drain and fill. no other parts should be required for that, although if you are already out of warranty, i'd replace sealing sleeve and gasket on oil pan just to be on the safe side since there are several members having leakage due to those i mentioned above. if you are under warranty, it's covered but you are not so it'd be good idea to get that done at the same time and be done with it.

24-34-7-588-725 sealing sleeve
24-11-7-571-235 gasket, oil pan

[enrita]

Any idea which kind of Racing AT trans fluid can be used? i asked BMW Sweden and they only sell 20 ltr barrels :-(

[Funkmob]

Im about to do this in the next coming week , just need to find the correct oil.

Important thing is that i also will change the oil pan , it incorporates the oil filter. The pan isn't that expensive , around 140$ i believe.

If you order the pan it also includes the oil pan seal , the o ring for the filter housing and fresh magnets to collect metal debris.

I will also change the mechatronics sleeve.

[CubanJJ09]

scribed. need some info on what kind of oil and aboot how much $$ it should be

[Funkmob]

The oil should have the TE-ML11 code (A or B) , then it should be suited for the ZF transmissions. If i'm correct the 11B oils are more durable and longer lasting.

If you don't do a complete flush , i think its best to stick with the same fluid as is in there . That should be the shell M 1375-4.

Complete fill should be 9.4 liters , but if you do a simple drain +/- 7 liter will come out.

[Blk07335i]

I used the OEM fluid but I think there is a suitable substitute out there. If you buy the parts yourself (approx $225) the labor was around $125 so it's not too bad.

[carve]

Is there a drain plug, or do I have to drop the pan and put a new gasket on?

[Terrance28]

Anybody has a DIY? Or know where the drain plug is and where to fill it. Oh and whats the best performance oil to put in it?

[Blk07335i]

The drain plug is right on the bottom of the pan. You can't miss it. You can drain and fill without replacing the pan but it's a good idea to do the pan as well as it has an integrated filter and also has two magnets designed to keep any metal trapped. The pans also seem to start leaking a little around 40-50K.

[CubanJJ09]

I thought there was only a drain plug and the oil had to be pumped out.

[hun77777]

there are plenty discussion under maintenance section.

here's DIY from a guy who owns 5 series. he used pentosin ATF as substitute.
http://forums.5series.net/topic/8812...-drain-refill/


there are many talks about RL ATF, Pentosin ATF, Castrol ATF as substitute which some are under TE-ML11 code. but official statement from both ZF and BMW is specifically to use ZF LG6, which in other words OEM BMW 6 speed transmission oil and ONLY that. No other official subsutitute ATF for 6 speed transmission as far as warranty concerns.

sure you can use other ATFs which of course all claims to meet/equivalent shell M 1375-4 but you are doing it at your own risk, just like LL01 engine oil spec.


tranmission oil also needs to reach certain temp to be leveled properly so i wouldn't try to do this at home myself. i'll either take it to some experienced european specific mechanic shop or to the dealer. to me it's not worth saving $100 or two on something like this. it's not that you are doing it every 5k, 10k anyways. you are looking at once in every 50~60k and i'd much rather do it right and be done with it, instead of saving couple hundred bux and worry about it every now and then...