[velorider562]

Found this very interesting blog post on FCP

https://blog.fcpeuro.com/bmw-lifetim...-isnt-lifetime

[bimmer456]

There is some bias as FCP Euro is in the business of selling to the DIY community. If you're under warranty I would avoid touching the transmission.

[Mr Podman]

ZF's recommended service interval for their transmissions is clear. See the bottom of page one in the link below.

Odd the BMW doesn't know what it is.
Odd that FCP Euro doesn't know what it is.

FCP Euro also got the order of torquing the pan bolts wrong in their DIY video.
And they never mention the importance of fluid temperature.

Service Information & Oil change kit for
ZF 8HP automatic transmission




podman

[celsdogg]

lifetime fill has been a point of contention since BMW introduced it almost 20 years ago. FCP's site explains it perfectly.

If you intend on keeping any car for the long term, change all fluids periodically. if you don't, just pass the buck on to the next guy.

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by celsdogg

FCP's site explains it perfectly.

Except for getting ZF's recommended change frequency wrong.




podman

[Wolfus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by velorider562

Found this very interesting blog post on FCP

https://blog.fcpeuro.com/bmw-lifetim...-isnt-lifetime

That figure the article attributes to ZF themselves, 50,000 miles, is right where I thought I would have my car's transmission serviced. At about 10K worth of driving a year, and being at 28.5K now, the 328i shouldn't need service on that for about two years.

[Wolfus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

Except for getting ZF's recommended change frequency wrong.

podman

FCP says ZF recommends 50,000 miles. What does your other ZF source say? Is it ZF themselves?

ETA: I see your link now -- but the note at the bottom of page one says "80,000 to 120,000 km," or eight years. FCP gave the same number of km, but converted the 80,000 km to 50,000 miles. Did they convert it wrong? It's 49,709 miles, so I expect they rounded it up.

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by Wolfus Aurelius

ETA: I see your link now -- but the note at the bottom of page one says "80,000 to 120,000 km," or eight years. FCP gave the same number of km, but converted the 80,000 km to 50,000 miles. Did they convert it wrong? It's 49,709 miles, so I expect they rounded it up.

ZF provides a range. FCP Euro provides a single mileage number that is on the low end of ZF's range.

You can't see that?

They sell change kits, right?




podman

[FaRKle!]

I had Blackstone test my transmission fluid when I changed it at 45.6k. It had fallen outside of ZF Lifeguard 8's viscosity specs. You can see the report here.

[Jvac]

It's as if 50000 miles means a lifetime in bmw's mindset. Like it's inconceivable that someone would keep the car beyond 50000 miles

[bytterga]

Lifetime for bmw is when the warranty expires

[upsidedownfunnel]

If you have a ZF 6HP or 8HP, DO THE TRANSMISSION fluid change at 50k-60k miles. Anyone who doesn't recommend it has probably never touched the bottom of a car before.

The manufacturer of the transmission recommends to do the service at 100k km (60k miles). Somehow BMW says it's a lifetime fill. That just doesn't compute. If you want the best performance from your transmission, do it at 50-60k miles.

Remember, the transmission is the second most expensive and important component in your car. The transmission has almost as much to do with the performance of your car as your engine. The service is cheaper than oil changes (per mile) and any competent shop can do it. Find a good indy to do it for you if you don't know how to do it. Replace the pan and filter while you're at it. Get ZF Lifeguard or OEM BMW fluid.

If I had a ZF 8HP, I'd definitely do it every 50k miles.

[Jvac]

I intend to, though it's a long time in the future for me, but it's pretty unbelievable that bmw could dig their heels in against the manufacturer of the frickin part as if they know better than zf. It would be one thing if bmw made the tranny themselves, but they don't. Where do they get the balls?

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

If you have a ZF 6HP or 8HP, DO THE TRANSMISSION fluid change at 50k-60k miles. Anyone who doesn't recommend it has probably never touched the bottom of a car before.

The manufacturer of the transmission recommends to do the service at 100k km (60k miles). Somehow BMW says it's a lifetime fill. That just doesn't compute. If you want the best performance from your transmission, do it at 50-60k miles.

Remember, the transmission is the second most expensive and important component in your car. The transmission has almost as much to do with the performance of your car as your engine. The service is cheaper than oil changes (per mile) and any competent shop can do it. Find a good indy to do it for you if you don't know how to do it. Replace the pan and filter while you're at it. Get ZF Lifeguard or OEM BMW fluid.

If I had a ZF 8HP, I'd definitely do it every 50k miles.

[celsdogg]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

Except for getting ZF's recommended change frequency wrong.




podman

I meant the fallacy of lifetime fill.

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by celsdogg

I meant the fallacy of lifetime fill.

That part is true.




podman

[Wolfus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

ZF provides a range. FCP Euro provides a single mileage number that is on the low end of ZF's range.

You can't see that?

They sell change kits, right?

podman

Yes, I see that. Since the FCP Euro figure (which is marked as an approximation, by the way) is at the low end, I consider that to be smart; better to change early rather than late. If FCP recommended a figure at the high end of ZF's range, that would concern me.

[Mr Podman]

You've got a choice.

You can listen to the car maker,
you can listen to the manufacturer of the transmission,
or you can listen to the seller of replacement parts.







podman

[Wolfus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

You've got a choice.

You can listen to the car maker,
you can listen to the manufacturer of the transmission,
or you can listen to the seller of replacement parts.



podman

Well, since the parts seller's advice is on the conservative end of the range recommended by the manufacturer, it seems the seller is in the ballpark anyway.

[Mr Podman]

You have to go with wherever your dehydrated ball of neurons takes you.
Enjoy the ride.




podman

[SilkySmoooth]

What is so hard for people to understand that you should change your god damn transmission fluid. BMW lifetime meaning is the life of the warranty. They don’t care what happens after that, they are in the business of selling NEW cars. I have a Lexus is300 with 245,000 miles and have changed transmission fluid 3 times in it already, getting ready to do it again. My transmission will probably outlast my 2jz engine!!

I just ordered my zhp kit from fcp euro, car is at 53k. 2013 N55

Anyone who suggests not changing it obviously have never taken care of any car long term and have no mechanical experience with cars.

[Mr Podman]

And obviously they have questionable hygiene too.







podman

[428iSoCal]

Originally Posted by SilkySmoooth

What is so hard for people to understand that you should change your god damn transmission fluid. BMW lifetime meaning is the life of the warranty.

If I purchase the F36 Gran Coupe I've been stalking. The first thing that gets serviced is the transmission.