Differential,Transmission & Brake Fluid Suggestion

[SHEEDI]

I have 2003 2.5i (Automatic) with 68,000 miles on it. i have not changed differential, Transmission & brake fluids since i got this car ( used, it had 28000 miles on it in 2008).I dont track and i use this car on weekends only. My question is how often i should replace these fluids. is it time to replace these fluids? At this point car does not have any issues. Please help

Thanks

[santov]

Yes on diff.
Brake fluid is usually an annual thing.
Transmission fluid is supposed to be 100k miles, but I think that's bullcrap. Change the fluid!

All of the above is cheap to do and just requires a little time.

[SHEEDI]

so to be clear.
change differential fluid = how often?
Brake fluid = once in a year?
Tranmission fluid = after 100,000 miles?
and what other fluids i should be repalcing any ideas?

i would like to stick with OEM, do you have part# for all 3 fluid?

Thanks

[04z4]

Automatic transmission fluid every 60k miles, differential fluid every 30k miles, brake fluid once a year and coolant every 2 years.

[santov]

^^^Yep. Go to www.bavauto.com and get the part numbers. They carry both OEM fluids and many good aftermarket fluids.

[SHEEDI]

how many quarts i need each of these?
do i need Differential Oil Drain / Check Plug also?

[SHEEDI]

I called my Tech (indie shop), he said if there is no issue with car then "DO NOT TOUCH TRANNY Fluid " leave it alone.Differential fluid yes i should replace, brake fluid..no no. if there is no issue then why bother replacing these fluids beside diff fluid?
i did research on net and everybody has different opinion. i will call BVMW tomorrow and findout

[SHEEDI]

Updates Updates
i called BMW Bayside queens ny. spoke to lady and she confirmed with somebody that Dont replace tranny fluid, replace diff every 70K, Brake fluid every 2 years. then i called BMW Manhattan, spoke to lady again and i asked her to confirm with somebody how often or after how many thousand miles i should replace these fluid and answer wassssssssssssssss " EVERY YEAR" LOL. stupid service reps every year, crapppppppppppppppp

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Soomro

I called my Tech (indie shop), he said if there is no issue with car then "DO NOT TOUCH TRANNY Fluid " leave it alone.Differential fluid yes i should replace, brake fluid..no no. if there is no issue then why bother replacing these fluids beside diff fluid?
i did research on net and everybody has different opinion. i will call BVMW tomorrow and findout

because chances are by the time there's something wrong with your tranny, it'll be too late and changing fluids won't do a damn thing. i'd do it once just to get out any metal shavings... on my daily, i just did a drain/fill at 60k and you'd be surprised how dark the fluid was (oem is pink/red).

i don't think any fluid in our cars are truly lifetime. they probably put that disclaimer there because you could do damage by doing a full flush but drain/flush is harmless.

[SHEEDI]

hey Dubbedown, do you have part#s for tranny,diff and brake fluids?

[rsutoratosu]

Originally Posted by Soomro

hey Dubbedown, do you have part#s for tranny,diff and brake fluids?

For Diff, I just used Redline. Changed mine about 10k ago. Its very easy to do, I think theres a DIY in the DIY section

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Soomro

hey Dubbedown, do you have part#s for tranny,diff and brake fluids?

For brake fluids, don't need to use OEM... any DOT 4 would suffice and be better. I use ATE Super Blue.

For ATF, don't quote me on this but I don't think it has to be OEM, or in other words I think OEM isn't really BMW specific but is your generic Dexron fluids, just a matter of determining if it's D3 or D4. Best way I guess is to take a look under the car and see which sticker you have:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...01&postcount=1

[Shipkiller]

Before I changed the transmission fluid, I did a ton of research because, like you, I received many different opinions on whether to do this maintenance or not. What I got from all the research (online) was that if you start an aggressive maintenance program early (>70K) your transmission will hold up longer.

So on my wife's Roadster with an Automatic Transmission, I replaced the fluid (w/Amsoil), the filter and cleaned the eight magnets in the pan at 55K. Those magnets were loaded with fine particulate, but this is expected. Also at the same time I replaced the differential fluid using Amsoil again. No issues still at 68K....

I use Amsoil because I have been an Amsoil user for the last 15 years on my truck. They are the original and oldest maker of pure synthetic lubricants plus I don't trust Redline or RoyalPurple with one exception. They just have not been around that long, comparatively.

Brake fluid was flushed at 48K (right after I bought the car) and again two years later at 65K with ATE SuperBlue. ATE could be considered overkill on a car that will never see the track but I had three cans on the shelf, so/but any good quality DOT 4 will work.

[SHEEDI]

How many bottles of brake,diff and tranny fluids i need? mine is 2.5I Auto

[santov]

Amsoil.com is a good resource for getting that info. Off the top of my head 2 bottles of brake fluid will be enough to flush and refill your brake plumbing.

Don't forget coolant. Search the DIY section for how to on amount and be sure to order the OEM stuff.

[tekmoe]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

I use Amsoil because I have been an Amsoil user for the last 15 years on my truck. They are the original and oldest maker of pure synthetic lubricants plus I don't trust Redline or RoyalPurple with one exception. They just have not been around that long, comparatively.

That's not a very good reason to not use Redline or Royal Purple. I've used all three plus others and I keep going back to Redline. Me and my father have been running it in all of our cars and motorcycles for the past 15 years with no issues at all. As of right now I'm running Redline in the diff and Royal Purple in the tranny. I'm going to switch to Redline the next go around for the tranny and keep using it in the diff. Best stuff ever.

And for the record, I don't really care for Amsoils business model. Just let me buy some damn oil instead of forcing me to become a member/dealer. Completely unnecessary.

[Shipkiller]

I am not a Amsoil dealer, and I can buy Amsoil all over town.... must be a geographic issue.

I did not put all of the reasons I use Amsoil and not the other products in the original post for brevity and won’t go into that here. The only thing I will say is that I have tried Redline and RoyalPurple products and have found them wanting. In my experience and my experience only, I find that they just don't hold up as well as the Amsoil products. I am especially seeing this in my ///M’s transmission where I have RoyalPurple Syncromax. It appears to have worn out in 14,000 miles…. and will have to be replaced….

I am not a dealer and if you want to use RL or RP, go for it. I don’t particularly care one way or another. I am glad they work for you.

The original post was about an automatic transmission fluid change in the Z4. I just posted what I have done. Maybe I should have not put that sentence about Amsoil in the post. After I sent it I KNEW someone would pop up and say something about it. Lesson learned for next time………..

I consider this topic closed.

Soomro, sorry for the thread highjack..

[tekmoe]

If you knew it was going to start something, why did you post it?

[SHEEDI]

thanks guys for your help and info, i really appreciate your help,comments and research. i am going to get all these fluids drained this coming weekend except tranny, i am nervous about tranny flush