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      09-08-2014, 06:35 AM   #1
gsrbri
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6MT & the 1,200 Running In Service

Lots of threads on this topic, as owner's seem to receive inconsistent messages from dealerships. Just as a preface, even if BMW didn't pay for 1,200 drivetrain oil/fluid changes, I'd still be performing this service. Good insurance.

I was at the dealership for my F82 yesterday 1,200 mile service. They informed me after the service that only the engine oil and differential fluid are changed - even with the 6MT. According to the service manager, and he checked the service computer, etc. BMW only requires the motor/diff. I booked the 6MT fluid change for the end of the week.

I then read my service manual for the M3/M4. It clearly requires a 6MT fluid change. I sent a photo of the page to the dealership (attached). I'll let everyone know what comes of it.

We shall see!
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      09-08-2014, 06:47 AM   #2
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Which service manual is that and where can I get one?
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      09-08-2014, 07:40 AM   #3
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This is an excerpt from the Service/Warranty booklet that came w/the car (in the same black, nylon folder package as the owner's manual and iDrive instruction booklet).
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      09-08-2014, 08:20 AM   #4
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You are correct, fluid flush is included for the 6MT with the 1200 break in service. This was a common misunderstanding on the E9x as well.
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      09-08-2014, 09:08 AM   #5
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Thanks for this, now I can show it to them when my break in is due.
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      09-08-2014, 09:54 AM   #6
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The Service Manager said that the directon on the E9X M3 (my last car) was clear relative to the changing of ALL drivetrain fluids. Yesterday, according to him, he pressed his M technician on the omission of the 6MT fluid during my running-in service for the M4, and they pulled-up the service direction from BMW on the F8X. It clearly showed only engine and differential. I've shown him the service manual text and he's going to contact BMW NA factory rep. Stay tuned...

Bottom-line: I still intend to change it, regardless.
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      09-08-2014, 11:49 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
The Service Manager said that the directon on the E9X M3 (my last car) was clear relative to the changing of ALL drivetrain fluids. Yesterday, according to him, he pressed his M technician on the omission of the 6MT fluid during my running-in service for the M4, and they pulled-up the service direction from BMW on the F8X. It clearly showed only engine and differential. I've shown him the service manual text and he's going to contact BMW NA factory rep. Stay tuned...

Bottom-line: I still intend to change it, regardless.
I'm local to you. Curious what dealership are you using?

Also, do you know the cost if you do it out-of-pocket?
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      09-08-2014, 01:11 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post

Bottom-line: I still intend to change it, regardless.
Sounds like the right thing to do - please let us know what BMWNA states and your dealer's response.

To confirm - for 6MT we are looking for BMW to service at 1200 mi:
1) Engine oil
2) Diff fluid
3) Trans fluid

Last edited by RickMonet; 09-08-2014 at 01:20 PM..
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      09-10-2014, 07:42 PM   #9
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Just dropped mine off for break in service and they said engine and diff oils for sure and would check on the trans oil after I mentioned it.
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      09-10-2014, 08:47 PM   #10
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E90 standard procedure is per the service bulletin:

-engine oil
-diff
-6MT

Don't leave home without it! aka the stealership.
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      09-11-2014, 06:48 AM   #11
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Going in tomorrow for the 6MT change. Service Manager said he'd have direction from BMWNA by then.

Just for info: When I first purchased my E90 M from this dealership, the same service manager was clear that all fluids (engine, tranny, diff) be changed. His point this time is the service direction had changed...but doesn't appear to align w/the service manual that comes w/the car. So, let's see! Hoping for a freebie (not many of these in life...)
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      09-11-2014, 03:53 PM   #12
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Just got mine back from break-in service and they only did engine and diff oils. They said the oil in both the 6MT and DCT are lifetime fluids. Me thinks it's BS, and I'm inclined to call BMW NA myself.

Looking at my invoice it appears that they truly looked into it. States:

"CUST STS MANUAL SAYS TO FLUSH TRANS AT RUNNIN SERVICE. ADVISE
TRANS SERVICE NOT DUE
PER SIB 00 02 14. TRANS FLUID CHANGE IS NOT PART OF 1200 MILE SERVICE"
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889

Last edited by MaynardZed; 09-11-2014 at 09:55 PM.. Reason: add invoice details
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      09-11-2014, 04:05 PM   #13
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Sub'd. Want to hear where this lands. - I am also speaking with BMW NA in the morning about my wheels, I'll see if he knows anything about this. Doubt it but will check since he will be on the phone.
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      09-11-2014, 08:29 PM   #14
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in to hear the result and what BMWNA says
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      09-11-2014, 10:26 PM   #15
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So the DCT doesn't require the trans flush?
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      09-12-2014, 09:20 AM   #16
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UPDATE: From Dealership and BMWNA

Dropped my car off this morning for the 6MT fluid change (at my request and on my nickel).

The service manager spoke with BMWNA, who has confirmed that the running-in service, for the manual transmission M4, is indeed only the differential and engine oil. The 6MT contains "lifetime" fluid according to BMWNA. I pressed the point regarding the service manual booklet and how it reads contrary to this. He suggested I take it up with BMWNA directly, which I have via online email.

Bottom line: I'm happier to pay for the proper servicing of the car and deal w/this after the fact. "Lifetime" fluid really translates to an engineering trade study being perfomed that says, under typical conditions, the fluid and the metal contained in the fluid from running-in, likely won't harm the transmission - in most cases. It is a cost-saving measure. Changing the fluid is the proper approach,as was the case with every M car prior to the F8X.

I'll continue to report on what interaction I have with BMWNA.

-Brian
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      09-12-2014, 10:09 AM   #17
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If mine is not changed at break-in next week, I will plan on changing it myself at 10-15k miles and then every 30-45k thereafter.

More than anything else, the trans tends to be the item you least want to break into at any point

I will say this about trans fluid though: in a manual transmission, short of a more dedicated track car, the oil has a very easy life. Loads are moderate, it's more about gear-on-gear protection than bearing protection and gears can take alot of abuse, there's no combustion byproducts, heat is low, and it spends a sizable amount of time in low load situations.

I don't agree with it being lifetime fill, but I do get it as well.
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      09-12-2014, 03:25 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeFromPA View Post
If mine is not changed at break-in next week, I will plan on changing it myself at 10-15k miles and then every 30-45k thereafter.

More than anything else, the trans tends to be the item you least want to break into at any point

I will say this about trans fluid though: in a manual transmission, short of a more dedicated track car, the oil has a very easy life. Loads are moderate, it's more about gear-on-gear protection than bearing protection and gears can take alot of abuse, there's no combustion byproducts, heat is low, and it spends a sizable amount of time in low load situations.

I don't agree with it being lifetime fill, but I do get it as well.
That's sort of what my plan is too. Manual Trans oil probably something that can be neglected a bit and you'll be OK, but I'll probably change it in about 5k miles. Definitely not waiting for 10k miles for next engine oil change either.
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889
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      09-12-2014, 03:27 PM   #19
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So why put it in a service manual and not honor it? Makes no sense.
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      09-12-2014, 08:43 PM   #20
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I bet you because in Europe, the customer pays for the service, so they want the customer to pay for the transmission fluid change. In the US, the service is included, so now all of a sudden its not required.
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      09-13-2014, 08:51 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenc View Post
I bet you because in Europe, the customer pays for the service, so they want the customer to pay for the transmission fluid change. In the US, the service is included, so now all of a sudden its not required.
Could be.

On another note. I dropped mine off for the service at exactly 1201 miles (yes, I'm that anal). When I picked it up, it had 1206 miles on the odometer?! I know the dealer's grounds are quite large, but seriously 5 miles?
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Road course laptimes for BMW M4 2015 6MT
WHP East Track: 1:04.880, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:54.352
Road course laptimes for Porsche 911 991.1 GTS 7MT
WHP East Track: 1:02.770, Arizona Motorsports Park: 1:48.889
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      09-13-2014, 09:15 AM   #22
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^ that's bullshit. My car has a dash cam and goes in for service today. We shall see.
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