[dmaxdmax]

I'm going underneath my 340i xDrive (b58) soon to change all the fluids.

Man trans. MTF-LT-5 1L
Transfer Case: DTF-1 1L
Front Diff: Hypoid axle oil, G2, .5L
Rear Diff: Hypoid axle oil, G1, 1.5L

Oil: for now, 0/20 LL-14, but will switch to 0-30, LL-01 I think.

Not sure of all the crush washers I'll need, but I'll get them too.

Could someone recommend a vac pump they've used successfully and for a while? I've looked at the manual mity vac and have found some small dc vac pumps...that look like crap.

I don't plan on extracting oil...and wouldn't know where to extract it from anyway.

Will the hand held pump work ok without pissing me off?

[njdangelo]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

I'm going underneath my 340i xDrive (b58) soon to change all the fluids.

Man trans. MTF-LT-5 1L
Transfer Case: DTF-1 1L
Front Diff: Hypoid axle oil, G2, .5L
Rear Diff: Hypoid axle oil, G1, 1.5L

Oil: for now, 0/20 LL-14, but will switch to 0-30, LL-01 I think.

Not sure of all the crush washers I'll need, but I'll get them too.

Could someone recommend a vac pump they've used successfully and for a while? I've looked at the manual mity vac and have found some small dc vac pumps...that look like crap.

I don't plan on extracting oil...and wouldn't know where to extract it from anyway.

Will the hand held pump work ok without pissing me off?

Subscribed as I plan on doing the same shortly!

[johnung]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

I'm going underneath my 340i xDrive (b58) soon to change all the fluids.

Man trans. MTF-LT-5 1L
Transfer Case: DTF-1 1L
Front Diff: Hypoid axle oil, G2, .5L
Rear Diff: Hypoid axle oil, G1, 1.5L

Oil: for now, 0/20 LL-14, but will switch to 0-30, LL-01 I think.

Not sure of all the crush washers I'll need, but I'll get them too.

Could someone recommend a vac pump they've used successfully and for a while? I've looked at the manual mity vac and have found some small dc vac pumps...that look like crap.

I don't plan on extracting oil...and wouldn't know where to extract it from anyway.

Will the hand held pump work ok without pissing me off?

I've had my fluids changed too, but by my factory trained independent BMW mechanic, so sorry that I don't have a pump recommendation for you. He was using a hand vacuum pump, nothing electric. It seemed to work well. Check out Schwaben, their tools are excellent.

I'm curious how many miles you have? Not many guys seem as dedicated to the glamorous job of changing nasty fluids. 😀 It's much easier to get excited about a new mod.

BMW's "lifetime" fluid proclamations has really confused people. IMO it's a financial calculation on their part that has nothing to do with trying to make a BMW vehicle last the longest.

It's cheaper for BMW to call fluids "lifetime". If they aren't touched, then BMW doesn't have to pay under extended service plans. All they care about is the car making it to the end of the manufacturer's warranty period, because they are in the business of selling new cars, not making the longest lasting cars.

Most guys, if they don't buy into "lifetime", start thinking about changing fluids around 60k-70k miles. A good indicator of the change interval is the automatic transmission. BMW calls it "lifetime" but ZF who actually makes this 8-speed model tranny for BMW and other car makes, recommends changing the AT fluid/pan/filter/bolts every 60k miles (100k kilometers). Who ya gonna believe, the car maker or the company who actually makes the transmission used across many car makes?

My Indy told me that previous generations of BMWs changed the differential fluids after an early break-in period.

Since my car is tuned, I cut my maintenance intervals mostly in half. So I've been changing fluids every 30k-40k miles. My MP LSD factory recommendation is every 30k miles after the initial break-in change at ~2k miles. So I'll probably bump that down to ~20k.

For the Transfer Case, it's tight inside so you will need a thin suction tip to be able to move it around and get the most out. Only expect to be able to suction out about half, which is fine. You can actually suction/fill TC more often to get a higher % of newer fluid in the mix.

I changed all of the drain/fill plugs that I could to Dimple because they have incredibly strong magnets. At about $35 each they are expensive, but I consider them cheap insurance compared to the cost of the component that they are protecting.

Hope some of this helps!

[dmaxdmax]

Thank you, John! I remembered your mentioning dimple plugs...need to get them...think you said you got yours at ECS or at Dimple's site. I'm at 86,000 miles.

I just read on FB's b58 page that the transfer case is meant to be removed and dumped out. Ugh. I'm going to look into that option too, though exchanging half at a time will eventually get me clean.

...and I am, I've learned, pretty OCD about maintenance of most things in my life. My e46 went 386K miles ...and for the last 10 years of its life, on 15,000 mile oci's.

Not sure you've read of the films which develop after oil has been cooking a while in your engine, but believe that changing oil too often removes that film...which also protects us from metal to metal contact. Not sure how the films 'play' with turbos, but something to consider for the long-term health of your car.

Oh, and also, I'll be religiously stock. The car has plenty of power for me...too much. If I modded, I'd be the only one asking how to turn the car Naturally Aspirated without messing it up. No one here would know.

[dmaxdmax]

So, using BMW fluids from fcpeuro...and some replacement drain plugs. $450 for fluids alone. Makes me sad.

[obert]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

So, using BMW fluids from fcpeuro...and some replacement drain plugs. $450 for fluids alone. Makes me sad.

450 is cheap insurance when you look at the prices of not doing maintenance items.

I picked up the manual pump from fcp. You have to remember most of their stuff is lifetime warranty as well. Even oil so I try to buy from them whenever I can.

[exE36M3]

Yeah, the fluid extractors are REALLY handy. Below is a vid I did when I had my BRZ. I got this one so I could pull oil from my E36 M3 originally (6-7 years-ish ago). Pretty durable unit. It'll suck whatever fluid you can get a straw into. Mine came with a main line that acts as a transition to (included) a thin/straw diameter line and a bigger (1/2"-ish) line. It also came with a clear hose with a manual valve (brake bleeder?).

If you are pulling less than 2 or 3 quarts, they make smaller versions.

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

Yeah, the fluid extractors are REALLY handy. Below is a vid I did when I had my BRZ. I got this one so I could pull oil from my E36 M3 originally (6-7 years-ish ago). Pretty durable unit. It'll suck whatever fluid you can get a straw into. Mine came with a main line that acts as a transition to (included) a thin/straw diameter line and a bigger (1/2"-ish) line. It also came with a clear hose with a manual valve (brake bleeder?).

If you are pulling less than 2 or 3 quarts, they make smaller versions.

I hadn't considered a vac pump such as this...thank you!

Now all I need is to figure out how to get a small stiff hose hooked up to it for transfer case drain...probably find an elbow connector to make access easier, though I might just remove and tip it...really the only thing I need a vac for...but it would come in handy for brakes at some point too. Thank you again!

[328iX]

I'm taking my car to a shop on Tuesday for all this actually.

$220 labor for the transmission. Got the ZF kit off FCP Euro for $220

$180 labor for the transfer case, $50 OEM Shell transfer case fluid

$180 labor for front and rear differentials + Their cost on Redline fluid

So around $850-900 for everything Parts and labor. Quite the savings if you DIY

[CJKaz]

This smaller extractor will work nicely (used it for similar jobs on transfer cases).
Available locally, Lowe’s, HomeDepot etc.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/...80-64_1000.jpg

The mighty vac will work, but the typically included reservoir is small (they are great for bleeding brakes though). They have a 16 oz reservoir available which would simplify the transfer case fluid change.