[lainmike0710]

Curious as to why you refer to this as an auto-tragic transmission?? Wasn't sure if you were just referring to automatics in general or this specific transmission but I can tell you, I am looking at this DIY now after reaching 100,000 miles and am not even in a rush. I am very particular about my fluid changing intervals and surely agree with engine oil every 3-5,000 miles but I do not agree with transmission fluid changes before 100,000 being absolute necessity. The transmission has no risk of oil contamination unlike engine oil and I've seen automatics go 350,000 plus with no fluid change. Of course, my BMW means more to me than any other car I've ever owned but I do trust that when they label something as "lifetime," 100,000 miles will do. They know much better than I AND it is not a conspiracy having to do with no cost maintenance like many believe of the oil change intervals...especially on a 128i...this is not a race car. Anyway, at 100,000 miles, my transmission still operates flawlessly with no drain as of yet. I will be doing it as soon as the weather stabilizes out but not sure I agree with the term "auto-tragic." I thought this post on bimmerforums.com was funny:

"...and yes GM is a stronger transmission in the context of the ZF vs GM. However, the GM is not without some hiccups either."

I truly believe that people are just worried about the GM name but honestly, the majority of what fails in a US vehicle made by GM was manufactured in the US by idiots, not France.