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#1
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"Lifetime" transmission fluid
My E90 has a ZF slushbox. Don't judge me. The car has almost 55k on it now and I typically change ATF in my cars at 60k. Doing a search through the usual sites, I've been led to believe that only automotive engineers with PhDs from the fatherland can do this procedure, and that if I try it myself it will ruin my transmission, blow up the car, burn down my house and kill my family. I'm a little skeptical.
Anyone do this? Anything more complicated than drain, fill, bring to temp, top off? Leaving ATF in a car for 100k+ miles is something that just doesn't sit well with me.
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Chris M 1985 911 Carrera with a couple cosmetic only mods 2006 E90 330i 1999 E46 328i |
#2
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My Cayenne says no Trans fluid changes ever too. I am very skeptical but 122k later smooth as silk. Keep asking my indy to change it and he keeps saying no. Sometimes it's tough being old school.
Also the Spyder suppose to have oil changed every 15k. F that. Old school or not.
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Scott Bresnahan Purcellville Va. http://agent.allstate.com/SBresnahan/Welcome 2014 GTB1 World Champion 8 Time National DE champion 88 911 Cup 13 Boxster S 1969 Saab Sonett 2005 Cayenne 2013 Cayenne 2014 F150 Hurricane race trailer with A/C 05 Cup car 02 Koni 996 |
#3
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if it was truly "lifetime" then why do they have drain plugs?
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Lane '93 RS America | '03 M3 | '02 325iT | |
#4
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F this and do it for piece of mind and the health of the engine! The original Cayenne manual called for changes every 20k too. Ask me how I know, or just read my sig.
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Ken '03 - boxster - Joy Toy -rolling convertible action -de-ambered -Boxster Brey-Krause Roll Bar '05 - 955s Gold - My Other / On Road / Off Road -coolant pipe by pass 08/11 -heart & short soul block replaced @50k 01/12 -cardan shafted & replaced @125k 09/16 Quote:
Last edited by joep; 10-19-2012 at 01:08 PM. |
#5
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The newer MB's no longer have a transmission dipstick, the only way to get the correct fill level is by hooking up the special dealer computer and reading the level that way. I'm sure BMW is similar, since they all get their gearboxes from Getrag or ZF anyhow. I interpret "lifetime fill" to mean "lifetime of the factory warranty". Because if it blows up after that, it's not their problem any more.
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George 2004 BMW 325iT 1998 MB E300 turbo Vindaloo Racing FTW!! 944's are fun When the Wright brothers set out to create a flying machine, Science told them it was impossible. |
#6
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Ah, now we know why the new thread.
You have it easy; I can't even change the rear brake pads on my car without some crazy-ass factory tool to handle the parking brake.
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Everything has changed |
#7
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Thread? I added a whole new forum so I could post this crap.
Not surprising. I used to think Porsche engineers with the most sadistic bastards on the face of the earth. Until I bought a BMW.
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Chris M 1985 911 Carrera with a couple cosmetic only mods 2006 E90 330i 1999 E46 328i |
#8
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That said, BMWs move away from dipsticks and towards turbos and to smaller and smaller oil capacities makes me like their new stuff less and less.
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Bob 04 GT3 86 Carrera 97 318ti "Guys, I'm coming in, I have too much grip." |
#9
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Me too. Most autotrans fluid changes now are just hook up to cooller lines and run new fluid to push old fluid out. The more "technical" things get the more unuser friendly they become.
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David I hope to arrive to my death, late, in love, and a little drunk! Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand... Homer Simpson "That's what's keeping me out of F1.... Too much mental maturity...." N0tt0n Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. CHAOS, PANIC, AND DISORDER my work here is done... Live without pretending, Love without depending, Listen without defending, Speak without offending |
#10
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MB had the same lifetime trans fluid craziness for several 2000ish models, including the ML430. Tons of threads on BenzWorld on trans fluid changing and flushing. Even MB tech bulletins recanted the lifetime fiction. There's no trans dipstick so you meed to buy one aftermarket. Dumb.
I say change it once you figure out how to measure the level at 80°
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Tony K PCA Potomac, Rennlist Member 89 944 Turbo 85 Carrera - Sold TrackVision 944Cup |
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