[melonbread]

I'm reaching close to 60k and thought I saw somewhere 50k - 60k is optimal time frame to do transmission fluid and filter change but couldn't find any thing beside transmission oil being lifetime or something from bmw.

would you do transmission fluid/filter change at bmw dealer or indy shop? and what's the going prices?

[Persian Whisperjet]

You can take a look at this recent post. I got the 50-60K interval from the guy who writes the column in Roundel. It cost about $150 for six liters of the ZF fluid and maybe $130 for the replacement pan/filter -- but it's like $800 at the shop.

Key takeaways: You really want to do it on a lift, it's easier with a helper, and you want to borrow one of those gun-style IR thermometers because the fluid has to be between 40-50 C when you do the final pour.

Oh and you want one of those beefy fluid pumps that does half a quart per squirt -- when the car is on the stands and is warming up, you don't have time to mess around with the lotion pump thingy.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1176822

[melonbread]

$800 at dealer or indy shop?

[Hoooper]

Its really easy to do with a floor jack and jack stands, provided that you dont have those tiny little 1 ton jack stands that only hold the car at ride height. Ive done it twice now using jack stands that put the jack mount about 12" above the floor and its fine. It might not be as comfy as sitting on the couch drinking a beer, but ive also spent an hour doing less comfortable things.

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

Its really easy to do with a floor jack and jack stands, provided that you dont have those tiny little 1 ton jack stands that only hold the car at ride height. Ive done it twice now using jack stands that put the jack mount about 12" above the floor and its fine. It might not be as comfy as sitting on the couch drinking a beer, but ive also spent an hour doing less comfortable things.

+1, do it yourself. I got a nice transfer pump for $85 and it made the pumping work real simple. The durned IR temperature gun i bought from Harbor Freight has already crapped out 6 months after purchase. It was about $20 before tax.

link for pump: http://www.idparts.com/motive-power-...ro-p-2319.html

[melonbread]

I'm thinking of DIY along with oil change. I'm probably going to rent a vehicle lift stalls on base and try to get it done one of the afternoon.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by melonbread

$800 at dealer or indy shop?

I was quoted $620 and $530 by two reliable mechanics. Chose the $620 one because he knew exactly what to do, had the latest software, and he only did BMW's and Mini's. I had it done at almost 70K and there was a significant improvement in smoothness and not even the small amount of slippage it might have had before.

Either would have been good.

PL

[Persian Whisperjet]

Originally Posted by melonbread

$800 at dealer or indy shop?

Not sure -- that number was bandied around here on the forum.

My hat is off to the stalwarts like Mik who did the DPF think on jackstands IN THE WINTER. For me, gosh, just getting the fluid up in the right place and all was tricky with a lift.

[TDIwyse]

Originally Posted by Hoooper

... It might not be as comfy as sitting on the couch drinking a beer, but ive also spent an hour doing less comfortable things.

I'm sitting on the couch drinking a beer as I type. I completely agree with your statement. :-)

[Thecastle]

These transmissions don't have a built in temp sensor that measures fluid temp? Or it's just not accessible using torque.

I changed the fluid on my GTIs dsg, and they have a temp requirement too for measuring fluid level. Anyway I'd figure BMW would have a transmission temp sensor.

[Persian Whisperjet]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

These transmissions don't have a built in temp sensor that measures fluid temp? Or it's just not accessible using torque.

I believe there is an internal temp sensor. The shop mechanic where we had the DIY, at BMW of Annapolis, said they just use the OBD port for that info but I could not find trans temp listed on Carly.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by TDIwyse

I'm sitting on the couch drinking a beer as I type. I completely agree with your statement. :-)

This is emblematic of a division between those who truly know what the hell they are doing and those that don't. ...I generally stay away from projects where my first thought is will I get crushed under my car...

[Puerto Rican 335d]

got my tranny diferential and engine done for $350 labor and about$175 worth of AMSOIL oil

[rulonger]

Originally Posted by Puerto Rican 335d

got my tranny diferential and engine done for $350 labor and about$175 worth of AMSOIL oil

Not worth the drive to Puerto Rico ! ! ! ! !

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by Persian Whisperjet

Not sure -- that number was bandied around here on the forum.

My hat is off to the stalwarts like Mik who did the DPF think on jackstands IN THE WINTER. For me, gosh, just getting the fluid up in the right place and all was tricky with a lift.

I did it on jack stands too. It wasn't that bad but I was in a clean cement garage. As a teenager, I had to work on VW Scirroco in gravel driveway. A piece of cardboard is your friend.

[melonbread]

I've been told by indy shop that transmission oil pan needs to be replaced?

if I buy the transmission kit, does all pertinent parts? thanks guys.

[eurojulien]

Originally Posted by melonbread

I've been told by indy shop that transmission oil pan needs to be replaced?

if I buy the transmission kit, does all pertinent parts? thanks guys.

The pan has the filter in it, so yeah I'd replace it.

[Puerto Rican 335d]

rulonger just take a cruise and go on vacation amigo

[rulonger]

Originally Posted by Puerto Rican 335d

rulonger just take a cruise and go on vacation amigo

Do not get me wrong, I would love to spend two weeks in PR. I could vacation while your mechanic works on my car.

But my 'd' will not fit in the suitcase.

[Puerto Rican 335d]

jajaj very true and very unfortunate