E46 auto gearbox fluid change
Discussion
Just about to go ahead and purchase an e46 330i tomorrow. It's done 111k miles with no paperwork to show an auto gearbox fluid change.
I have researched articles advising this to be done but that it may do nore harm than good on higher mileage cars.
Any experience of owners changing it as around 110k miles or shall I leave it and keep my fingers crossed??
I have researched articles advising this to be done but that it may do nore harm than good on higher mileage cars.
Any experience of owners changing it as around 110k miles or shall I leave it and keep my fingers crossed??
I beg to differ on the advice of not doing it. The 'boxes are manufactured by ZF, who recommend a fluid and filter change every 60,000-80,000 miles. BMW claim they are "fill for life" but accept that some owners like to perform a fluid and filter change at 100,000 miles.
I contacted both, and also got advice from an independant BMW service technician who sided with ZF. He did give me a bit of a telling off for not organising a fluid and filter change sooner on my wifes BMW 120D!
It certainly will not harm the transmission; if it does harm it, then either it was done incorrectly, or the autobox already had myriad developing issues. It is a reasonably complicated procedure and should be performed by someone with experience and the correct diagnostic tools to monitor transmission fluid temps during the refilling / topping up stage of the procedure.
ZF sell a service kit, which contains the pan (which houses the filter), the oil, a new mechatronics plug and all the necessary gaskets.
Consider that the service could be as much as £600, but an autobox rebuild could be five times that cost, it makes some sense to service it.
for what it is worth, my wifes 120D was on 110,000 miles when the fluid and filter were changed. Aferwards, there was a noticable increase in shift quality.
I contacted both, and also got advice from an independant BMW service technician who sided with ZF. He did give me a bit of a telling off for not organising a fluid and filter change sooner on my wifes BMW 120D!
It certainly will not harm the transmission; if it does harm it, then either it was done incorrectly, or the autobox already had myriad developing issues. It is a reasonably complicated procedure and should be performed by someone with experience and the correct diagnostic tools to monitor transmission fluid temps during the refilling / topping up stage of the procedure.
ZF sell a service kit, which contains the pan (which houses the filter), the oil, a new mechatronics plug and all the necessary gaskets.
Consider that the service could be as much as £600, but an autobox rebuild could be five times that cost, it makes some sense to service it.
for what it is worth, my wifes 120D was on 110,000 miles when the fluid and filter were changed. Aferwards, there was a noticable increase in shift quality.
Edited by thatdude on Thursday 19th July 11:45
I wouldn’t bother. The oil is £12.38/l on eBay. If they’re doing the sump gasket and filter that’s a little more. With an old E46 you’d be better off spending the money on removing any trace of rust from the sills/floor and jacking points before it gets worse.
(All advice based on being a qualified BMW Technician-though I only fix cars for fun now, and am currently on my third E46).
(All advice based on being a qualified BMW Technician-though I only fix cars for fun now, and am currently on my third E46).
thatdude said:
I beg to differ on the advice of not doing it. The 'boxes are manufactured by ZF, who recommend a fluid and filter change every 60,000-80,000 miles. BMW claim they are "fill for life" but accept that some owners like to perform a fluid and filter change at 100,000 miles.
What about all the 200'000 mile ZF autoboxes on the original oil? There will be literally millions of them out there.My e46 330ci sport auto has done 223k without an oil change to the gearbox. I contacted Munich Legends when it hit 150k & they advised to leave well alone. Still changed gear seamlessly.
There is a small leak from the box which i will have looked at in September for the mot which might lead to its first box oil change.
There is a small leak from the box which i will have looked at in September for the mot which might lead to its first box oil change.
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