75K miles, does my car need a transmission service?

[waltchess]

My car just reached 75K miles. Do I need to change the transmission fluid? I am thinking about changing the spark plugs, engine oil and transimission fluid at a same time. However, my friend said I don't have to service the transmission till 100K or so.

[f15eagle]

BMW says the tranny fluid is good for life. But, I have seen what comes out after 100,000 miles. Kinda looks like very muddy maroon goo. That being said, I have heard an awful lot of stories about folks that changed fluid, be it a BMW or any othe vehicle, and wish they had left well enough alone. So, if it is working well, I wouldn't touch it. IE: if it aint broke, don't fix it.

Just my 2 cents

[LJBimmers]

Sorry to disagree, but there is no such thing as "lifetime" trans fluid, even BMW has recanted that statement!

Secondly, if you have seen muddy maroon goo from an E38 trans, 5hp30 or 5hp24, then someone was an idiot and used ATF and not the required synthetic.

I have changed the fluid on my original '97 740iL and also my '01 740iS! Had it done at a ZF authorized shop (as they actually know what they are doing) with a Filtran Filter and have had ZERO problems. Secondly, after the change, both ran and shifted better!!

[kmetros]

My indy said that it's best to change it between 75K and 100K. After 100K he says he's seen them get flakey after fluid changes. Mine had about 90K when I had it done with BMW ATF fluid. I'd do it for the peace of mind.

OTOH I wouldn't mess with the spark plugs and o2 sensors until 100K, they're probably OK unless you have oil in the wells.

[chuckc]

Sorry to disagree, but there is no such thing as "lifetime" trans fluid, even BMW has recanted that statement!

Secondly, if you have seen muddy maroon goo from an E38 trans, 5hp30 or 5hp24, then someone was an idiot and used ATF and not the required synthetic.

I have changed the fluid on my original '97 740iL and also my '01 740iS! Had it done at a ZF authorized shop (as they actually know what they are doing) with a Filtran Filter and have had ZERO problems. Secondly, after the change, both ran and shifted better!!

I'm in Carlsbad and would like to know where you had your transmission service done. Was anything else done to the transmission other than the fluid change ?

thx

[kmetros]

[QUOTEWas anything else done to the transmission other than the fluid change ?[/QUOTE]

Change the tranny filter too - make sure they put one in that says "Filtran" on it - others have too weak of a frame and collapse, causing the tranny to whine in time.

[chuckc]

[QUOTEWas anything else done to the transmission other than the fluid change ?

Change the tranny filter too - make sure they put one in that says "Filtran" on it - others have too weak of a frame and collapse, causing the tranny to whine in time.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the input. I realize the filter needs replacing. However, I have also heard of cleaning the magnets and band adjustments during transmission services. I am not sure if this is recommended or relevant for the 740i trans. I am new the auto transmission world (I prefer manuals:) )

[PaveIt]

Check out the thread at the top of the page. Big discussion about changing tanny fluid, might shed some light on your decision.

[Reed Hunt]

Sorry to disagree, but there is no such thing as "lifetime" trans fluid, even BMW has recanted that statement!

Secondly, if you have seen muddy maroon goo from an E38 trans, 5hp30 or 5hp24, then someone was an idiot and used ATF and not the required synthetic.

I have changed the fluid on my original '97 740iL and also my '01 740iS! Had it done at a ZF authorized shop (as they actually know what they are doing) with a Filtran Filter and have had ZERO problems. Secondly, after the change, both ran and shifted better!!

+1

[LJBimmers]

I'm in Carlsbad and would like to know where you had your transmission service done. Was anything else done to the transmission other than the fluid change ?

thx

Dose BMW Service in El Cajon! They are a ZF Authorized shop and distributor! They only use ZF parts and Filtran filters!!

[Hogg]

Any clue on how much an indy shop in California will charge to do this work. I just bought a late 2001 740i Sport with almost 110k on it.

[greene08]

Hogg, what did you end up paying for your 7? Mine has about 110k on it now. I am leaning towards doing the tranny fluid change too. There aren't many good shops here in Sacramento though.

[ndz]

What's the best way to find a local ZF authorized service center? And how much $ did they charge? LJBimmers?

[kromdom]

googled and found DOSE BMW, maybe give them a ring for a price quote: http://www.dosebmwservice.net/

[chuckc]

googled and found DOSE BMW, maybe give them a ring for a price quote: http://www.dosebmwservice.net/

Dose charges $350.00.

[msknet1]

My car just reached 75K miles. Do I need to change the transmission fluid? I am thinking about changing the spark plugs, engine oil and transimission fluid at a same time. However, my friend said I don't have to service the transmission till 100K or so.


I'd definitely change the fluid and filter. I think you have the A5S5602 transmission. If so, it looks like you have both a fill and a drain plug so you could do the task yourself; if you have done fluid/filter changes on transmissions in the past. Getting the synthetic fluid is no problem. Just get the AMSOIL Synthetic Trans Fluid ($9.05/qt) which is the fluid they have in stock for your transmission and the one they specify. I know this is what one of the INDY shops use in my area. The dealers charge outrageous prices to service the so called "lifetime fill" transmissions.

[Boston Killer]

Dose BMW Service in El Cajon! They are a ZF Authorized shop and distributor! They only use ZF parts and Filtran filters!!

Thanks for the info, Dave! I am over 106K right now and I noticed some rougher shifting every once in a while. So perhaps it is time for me to do the tranny service...