[Ouzzo]

I want to keep my 328i for a very long time, possibly upto 10 years.

I am also a high milage with 50 k miles in less than three years.

Was considering changing the ZF-8 gearbox oil now although the dealer insists that it's lifetime

Read many conflicting opinions in threads before and really confused and unable to take a decision. Will it be risky to change the oil?, will there be no benefits?

Very interested to hear what the general consensus is

Thanks

[xxxjecxxx]

Remember lifetime means 100k!

[rambalu80]

When I had my 2007 E90 328i, I changed the MT fluid when the car hit 50,000 miles although it was supposed to be lifetime fill.

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by xxxjecxxx

Remember lifetime means 100k!

As said. 'Lifetime' in this case means 'designed to fail when no liability can be accrued to the manufacturer, and the owner is whistling in the wind with a huge bill'.

[fusion0389]

Originally Posted by Ouzzo

I want to keep my 328i for a very long time, possibly upto 10 years.

I am also a high milage with 50 k miles in less than three years.

Was considering changing the ZF-8 gearbox oil now although the dealer insists that it's lifetime

Read many conflicting opinions in threads before and really confused and unable to take a decision. Will it be risky to change the oil?, will there be no benefits?

Very interested to hear what the general consensus is

Thanks

My last daily driver also specd a "lifetime" fluid. I changed it myself at 30,000 miles and sent off a sample to Blackstone Laboratories. They analyzed the sample and scoffed at the lifetime claim. When a tribologist tells me there is no such thing as a lifetime fluid, I tend to believe them. To make a long story short, in that particular car they recommended a 35,000 mile interval. Still running strong at 100,000 miles. All the dealers and independent shops I took it to looked at me like i was crazy when i wanted them to change it, thats to be expected from businesses that count on your car failing give you advice lol. A new tranny is more profitable to them than changing your oil. My vote is get it changed.

[fusion0389]

Originally Posted by robbiep

As said. 'Lifetime' in this case means 'designed to fail when no liability can be accrued to the manufacturer, and the owner is whistling in the wind with a huge bill'.

^What he said

[xxxjecxxx]

Originally Posted by rambalu80

When I had my 2007 E90 328i, I changed the MT fluid when the car hit 50,000 miles although it was supposed to be lifetime fill.

I changed my e90 325i AT at 140k for preventive maintenance. I didn't notice a difference. I would wait until at least 100k to change it.

[Ouzzo]

Looks like the general consensus is to change. Thanks guys for the input

[oln08]

Dealer changed my activehybrid 3 transmission fluid at 31k miles for free. Not sure if because it's a hybrid specific maintenance or thats for all F30s.

[401FlaGATOR]

Originally Posted by Ouzzo

I want to keep my 328i for a very long time, possibly upto 10 years.

I am also a high milage with 50 k miles in less than three years.

Was considering changing the ZF-8 gearbox oil now although the dealer insists that it's lifetime

Read many conflicting opinions in threads before and really confused and unable to take a decision. Will it be risky to change the oil?, will there be no benefits?

Very interested to hear what the general consensus is

Thanks

Very good post and question, this is the time (50,000 miles) to bring up that question.

If one waits too long past 50k say 100k then the recommendation from the pundits is not to touch it.

On my E90 I had a dealership drop the pan and refill the oil and replace the filter. They filled it 50% approximately. This was at 86,000 miles and I had to sign a waiver to not go after the dealership if it broke the tranny.

I'm at 140k now and all is good.

[401FlaGATOR]

Just to add this has been discussed before look to the ZF factory maintenance docs to get the manufacturer recommended interval. For example, for the E90 I think it is every 50k.

[BimmerF32_430i]

Originally Posted by 401FlaGATOR

Very good post and question, this is the time (50,000 miles) to bring up that question.

If one waits too long past 50k say 100k then the recommendation from the pundits is not to touch it.

On my E90 I had a dealership drop the pan and refill the oil and replace the filter. They filled it 50% approximately. This was at 86,000 miles and I had to sign a waiver to not go after the dealership if it broke the tranny.

I'm at 140k now and all is good.

I'm nearing 100K but I bought the car at 85K. was going to get it changed at 100K. Why would you say not to change it this late?

[floydarogers]

I'd do it at 60K rather than 50K.

[KGB_123_99]

Changed the tranny oil on my E39 at 65K miles. Drove it for another 20K without problems before selling.

There's no way to harm the transmission by doing an oil change as long as you use the right fluid and adjust the level properly. Do a drain/fill. If you flush the transmission with special equipment, then you CAN cause problems.

[mithoowani]

I own 2009 335; 90 K klm; What brand oil do you recommand? Previously in 740's I ahad to change valve balls; gears used to refuse to change freely.