XSeries-forum

Hi All having read a few posts on the "to change or not to change" lifetime transmission oil and filter subject
I emailed ZF and this was their reply:
the following solution has been found for your request:
Hello
Thank you for your enquiry please find attached service bulletin regarding the servicing of the ZF passenger car transmissions this should answer your questions if the transmission in yours is ZF manufactured.
HOPE IT'S OF SOME HELP

Thanks for obtaining info & sharing

It should be noted that ZF recommend a change but only between 50 & 75k.

Most owners of E53 models now have cars with over 75k.

It is frustrating that when many cars had 50-75k BMW dealers were advocating zero maintenance lifetime fill, yet by time the newer info was put out the 75k mileage is likely to have been exceeded.

If it were simply a case of change recommended from 50k it would be clear cut. The fact that there seems to be a ceiling of 75k leaves matters unclear..

I would be interested to see replies from ZF to the following questions.....

1. What problems are likely if ATF change perfomed over 75k ?

2. What if any preventative maintenance actions should owners cause to be performed if they have a car believed on original ATF & with mileage significantly over 75k ?

[quote="AW8"]
Thanks for obtaining info & sharing

It should be noted that ZF recommend a change but only between 50 & 75k.

Most owners of E53 models now have cars with over 75k.

It is frustrating that when many cars had 50-75k BMW dealers were advocating zero maintenance lifetime fill, yet by time the newer info was put out the 75k mileage is likely to have been exceeded.

If it were simply a case of change recommended from 50k it would be clear cut. The fact that there seems to be a ceiling of 75k leaves matters unclear..

I would be interested to see replies from ZF to the following questions.....

1. What problems are likely if ATF change perfomed over 75k ?

2. What if any preventative maintenance actions should owners cause to be performed if they have a car believed on original ATF & with mileage significantly over 75k ?
[/quote]
I fully agree with what you’re saying, my "Betsy" has just over 91k and I would think the trans fluids and the diff fluids haven't yet been done.
So then the awkward question is to change them all or leave well along, as it's already been discussed on so many of these forums.
Biting the bullet may end up costing you ¾'s of what the vehicle's value is, OKAY it could be argued by the purists that an X5 is for living and not just as a daily driver, and that I would agree, but I haven't never ending pockets of money to spend, so although I totally love driving my "Betsy" I am also realistic and have to play devil's advocate at times
I think if you approached ZF with these questions they would answer with a "politicians answer" cause at the end of the day they're in the business of selling new products, so failures = revenue , cynic yes at times, but also a realist  :noexpression:

Well I did mine 18 months ago at a mileage of 146k. It was the first time it had been done. It was skipping in and out of lock at cruising speed and juddering between gear shifts. I used Comma atf+ after I called them and they guaranteed it. A local auto specialist also said any fluid with the right spec would do as they use it all the time.
After i did mine the problems were cured, however, I think the TC or flex plate is knocking now but is that due to the fluid change? The trans shifts ok and doesn't slip. It cost me £110 to do at home Inc the filter and was easy.
I would recommend doing it circa 80k as no fluid lasts forever..

Just to add, I did mine at 110k and the oil seemed in remarkably good nick, may have been done before but there was no record of it. I bought the oil from BMW and the filter, will do it again at 140k mainly because I have a slight weep where the electrics pass into the gearbox and need to get that sorted. Haven't investigated yet if there is a repair kit or not. I read the ZF article and you could argue that it depends on how you interpreted the wording, I like to read it that you should change the oil every 50/75k?
If anything did go wrong with the g/b now I certainly wouldn't blame the oil change (done 20k ago) I would be more in the camp that I had delayed the fault for 20k.