Changed my "lifetime" tranny fluid...

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

dizzy - 19 Dec 2007 02:06 GMT

...and rear differential fluid, at 87,000 miles, on my 2000 323i.

I was in for an "inspection 1", and asked about BMW's change of policy
regarding that "lifetime" tranny fluid. The service rep conceded,
paraphrasing, that "the engineers are now considering changing the
recommendation to 100,000 miles".

He changed his story from when we talked a couple years ago and they
quoted over $1000 for the job. This time the story is that, while my
car had "lifetime" fluid, it's NOT the "the super expensive lifetime
fluid". I asked "is the super-expensive fluid for the ZF", and he
said "yes". Total cost including labor was $230 for the tranny.

Google tags: BMW E46 GM transmission reverse

Reply to this Message

Pete - 19 Dec 2007 03:33 GMT

> He changed his story from when we talked a couple years ago and they
> quoted over $1000 for the job. This time the story is that, while my
> car had "lifetime" fluid, it's NOT the "the super expensive lifetime
> fluid".

Yeah, there are two stories: while in warranty and while out of
warranty.

Pete

Reply to this Message

dizzy - 19 Dec 2007 23:25 GMT

>> He changed his story from when we talked a couple years ago and they
>> quoted over $1000 for the job. This time the story is that, while my
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Yeah, there are two stories: while in warranty and while out of
>warranty.

Well, both situations were totally optional and out-of-warrantee, in
my case.

Rather bothersome that they changed their story so radically... A
couple years ago, shen I made my first inquires regarding doing the
fluid change, it took them several h ours to figure out which fluid I
would need (appearently coming to the incorrect conclusion).

I mean, is it that difficult for a car company's service departments
to know what fluids goes into the cars?

I guess I shouldn't be complaining too much... At least the job
didn't cost $1,200, like they quoted me back then. What a friggin'
rip-off.

Has anyone with the ZF had this done?

Reply to this Message

Dodgy - 02 Jan 2008 16:01 GMT

>>> He changed his story from when we talked a couple years ago and they
>>> quoted over $1000 for the job. This time the story is that, while my
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>Has anyone with the ZF had this done?

Which ZF do you mean? I did my E36 325TDS's A5S 310Z box last year.
Biggest problem was finding the fluid. The charts quote Esso LT 71141.
BMW wanted to charge me £19 ($40) a litre, and I would need 4, plus as
they only had a big drum, I'd have to bring my own container. Given
that I could buy a 20 litre drum direct from Esso for not much more, I
told the dealer "No thank you".

After a bit of cross checking, I found another ZF box that was quoted
to use the LT71141 fluid, and this box was fitted to some of the VW
Passat models... A quick chat with the VW dealer later, and I had 4
litres of VW Part # G 052 162 A2 at under £9 ($20) a litre, all in
their own plastic bottles. The dealer even apologised as he was
shocked how much it cost!

After all that fun, changing it was quite simple (I already had a
fluid hand pump), and the car has been happy ever since.

Dodgy.

Signature

MUSHROOMS ARE THE OPIATE OF THE MOOSES

Reply to this Message