I have a 2016 BMW 320i touring auto with 71k miles on it (UK car). The ZF automatic gearbox is a big bonus of owning this car and I want to run this thing to 100k, so naturally I want to look after the transmission. In my experience so far it seems like when you get a BMW you are told the car knows how to look after itself, it tells you how clean the oil is and what it needs, and when, through the iDrive system. And your key fob holds a record of all the servicing done, which you are seemingly limited by BMW to either an oil and filters change and general look over it (and of course the BMW dealer stamp on the iDrive), then an inspection 1 which includes brake fluid and inspection of all components, then inspection 2 which is likely the same but with spark plugs and air filter. My first issue is that the cars oil change intervals on the iDrive are 15k miles, which I am keen to do it at half of that to be honest. Then looking at my mileage I googled the ZF transmission and the company themselves say it needs fluid and filter change at 70k. I have also read that I will have wanted the differential oil changing sooner than now, despite the full and correct BMW service history on the idrive. So far, one garage has contacted BMW and were told the gearbox , differential and fuel filter are all considered “lifetime items” by BMW (presumably cos they want the warranty to run out at 100k and boom repair central?) and so are sealed up/hard/impossible to service - with idiots often leaving the gearbox worse off than it was before and leaking. So basically I either try to forget about these things and sell it at 100k hoping all is well, or I go and get the gearbox and diff oil done for about £1k asap. On top of that BMW forums seem to awash with various opinions of when to do these items? Anyone else confused?
I had the ZF8 in my Jag and it was also claimed to be “lifetime”. I had the oil, filter, and pan replaced at around 60k miles as that was what ZF recommend for that car. Never had any issues before or after the servicing.
This year before I put my F82 in storage I had the coolant flushed, brake fluid flushed, oil change done regardless of what the iDrive said lol. Pretty sure the iDrive said 8000 miles left on the last oil change, now it says 10,000 🤣.
One way I’ve heard it put, “lifetime” is the warranty period of the car, not really the lifetime of the actual vehicle. It’s a pain in the ass to figure out the real service intervals but if you find the ZF recommendation I’d go with that.
You’re right, BMW would prefer you don’t do any of that extra preventative maintenance. They’ve calculated it’ll last to 100k miles, hence “lifetime”, and that’s when you bend over and buy a new one.
If you’d prefer to keep it longterm and/or care about longevity/resale value to the right buyer… do the fluid changes for diff and transmission. Also transfer case and front diff if it’s X drive.
Sold a 2007 X3 with 263,000 miles and I don’t think it would’ve lasted that long without regular fluid changes on the diffs, tranny and transfer case
I’d go with ZF on this.
Drain and fill fluid
I’ve changed my trans fluid on my ZF6 every 100k km and it’s still good. 265k on the clock, 60k of that stage 2 tuned with a trans remap.
My brother always said never change transmission fluid as it will make things worse 🤷♀️ I have a very well maintained n55 F10 and I change my oil at 5k but this time around got lazy and it was coming close to 8k my car wasn’t happy and felt car loosing power and slow start and my drive chain malfunction came on when I was driving pretty aggressive so I stoped at a gas station and noticed my oil on the idrive went from little low to low. So I added fresh premium chevron synthetic oil s30w oil check it was still low added another bottle (I think I added a bit much ) but car drove fine after that and no check engine light and no warnings on the dash. Car drive normal. Next morning all good but went to bmw to buy oil and had my buddy change it for me. So far drives ok but feel like there’s some other issue and gave it to my mechanic to check it out and he told me all good with car and asked me if I maybe put cheap shitty gas in the car as I would never so not sure. I guess I should have it towed to him if it starts acting up. So what is your guys thoughts on transmission being changed or any other fluids. Again I have a 535i 2011 production month July
Owning a BMW is one big confusion but we love them and that’s why we choose to deal with them, kinda like a spouse lol