1200 mile service

[angler]

So I just did a 1200 mile service on the car. Oil and filter change along with the manual trans as well. It's it just my imagination or can the gear box feel more smooth after the service, it sure feels it to me?

[JimD]

It depends somewhat on what you used but I think it's very possible. I put Red Line MDL in mine and thought it shifted smoother afterwards.

[135iMike]

Originally Posted by angler

So I just did a 1200 mile service on the car. Oil and filter change along with the manual trans as well. It's it just my imagination or can the gear box feel more smooth after the service, it sure feels it to me?

1200 mile service?

[angler]

Did a old school service. Before BMW went to free maintenance you did a 1200 mile service. Which consisted of engine, manual trans, and rear dif fluids

[135iMike]

Originally Posted by angler

Did a old school service. Before BMW went to free maintenance you did a 1200 mile service. Which consisted of engine, manual trans, and rear dif fluids

Ahhh, that's why I never heard of it! Cool deal.

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by 135iMike

Ahhh, that's why I never heard of it! Cool deal.

Ya I did one too. Most car makers don't require it now but it was good for my piece of mind. Especially sense I added a tune after the 1200 mile break in

[lazyd0c]

how did you get the dealer to do the 1200miles service?

[mb135is]

Originally Posted by lazyd0c

how did you get the dealer to do the 1200miles service?

By paying them.

I did it too. M engines are not the only engines that require a break in service, they're just the only ones BMW pays for.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by mb135is

By paying them.

I did it too. M engines are not the only engines that require a break in service, they're just the only ones BMW pays for.

Just curious as to how much it cost you? Did you do the rear diff, or are you going to skip that? I would almost do the rear diff before the tranny.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by mb135is

By paying them.

I did it too. M engines are not the only engines that require a break in service, they're just the only ones BMW pays for.

+2.

[Bob Z.]

I don't see how my 6MT could shift any smoother no matter what fluid I put in it!

[dm135is]

I just completed oil/filter change at 1500 miles, and MT & diff fluid changes at 2000 miles, on my 2013 135i 6MT coupe.

Here's the dealer recommended fluids, and actual amounts I used:

BMW High Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5W30, 6.5 Quarts.
BMW OEM oil filter.
BMW MTF-LT-5 Manual Transmission Fluid, 75W-80, 1.25 Liters.
BMW C-SAF-XO Final Drive Gear Oil, 79W-90, 1 Liter.

I purchased all fluids from my BMW dealer, in quart & liter bottles, at reasonable prices with BMW CCA membership discount.

This Matco Speedy Vac Fluid Evacuation Kit sucked the old diff fluid out pretty well.

I recommend replacing the stock BMW drain plugs with Dimple Magnetic Drain Plugs.

I also recommend squirting half a tube of MoS2 (Molybdenum Disulfide) into the trans and the other half into the diff to help protect the gears over the long haul (not for engine use).

Finally, I recommend Mike Miller's Lifetime Maintenance Schedule for owners who care about their cars and/or plan to keep them for a long time (>100K miles).

Posting this simple info because it's hard to find and all over the place out there. Hope this helps.

Dave

[Canasian]

Originally Posted by mb135is

By paying them.

I did it too. M engines are not the only engines that require a break in service, they're just the only ones BMW pays for.

Did you pay the dealer and they provided all fluids and performed the service? If so, how much? I'll be doing that soon.

Thanks!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Canasian

Did you pay the dealer and they provided all fluids and performed the service? If so, how much? I'll be doing that soon.

Thanks!

I did mine about a week ago at the dealer. Your best bet is to go to your local dealer's website and they all seem to be done essentially the same way and under the service tab up top on their website there is usually something called "Value Service" which should pull up nice coupons/deals for a basic oil change.

It varied a little from dealer to dealer, at least in my area, but most were between $79-99 for an oil change service on a 3-series from 2006-2013. They didn't have a listing for a 1-series, but it's all the same and they should accept the coupon. So, typically the service would have been $140 at my dealer, but saved me $60 with that coupon and well worth it to pay $80 and have them do it all quickly. You don't need to provide anything other than your hard earned cash. =P

That's basically just oil and filter change. I don't know how much if you want new differential or transmission fluid as some people seem to do.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Bob Z.

I don't see how my 6MT could shift any smoother no matter what fluid I put in it!

Many of us who have serviced the manual trans know otherwise. I used Red Line ATF-D4 in my manual trans. Some use MTL (I believe) of ATF-D6. Most people who run the Redline or even the Pentosin oils report smoother shifting afterwards.

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

That's basically just oil and filter change. I don't know how much if you want new differential or transmission fluid as some people seem to do.

Most shops should only charge less than an hour's labor(rate) to change the manual trans and diff fluids. The hardest part is changing the diff fluid, bc you need a tool that can suck out the old fluid since bme did not give is a drain plug! They only gave us a "fill" plug!

[Bob Z.]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Many of us who have serviced the manual trans know otherwise. I used Red Line ATF-D4 in my manual trans. Some use MTL (I believe) of ATF-D6. Most people who run the Redline or even the Pentosin oils report smoother shifting afterwards.





Most shops should only charge less than an hour's labor(rate) to change the manual trans and diff fluids. The hardest part is changing the diff fluid, bc you need a tool that can suck out the old fluid since bme did not give is a drain plug! They only gave us a "fill" plug!

I have owned countless manual cars and bikes and learned a long time ago that while some will benefit from a change in fluids some do not, and "my" 135i will NOT benefit from a trany fluid change since there is no way it could be any smoother than it is now - if you are ever in Palm Coast FL and want to drive mine you are welcome to so I can prove my point. I think that if someone thinks their car is not shifting smoothly they can try a different fluid but if not you are just wasting your time & money.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Bob Z.

I have owned countless manual cars and bikes and learned a long time ago that while some will benefit from a change in fluids some do not, and "my" 135i will NOT benefit from a trany fluid change since there is no way it could be any smoother than it is now - if you are ever in Palm Coast FL and want to drive mine you are welcome to so I can prove my point. I think that if someone thinks their car is not shifting smoothly they can try a different fluid but if not you are just wasting your time & money.

Fluid swaps are not about shifting smoothness.

[MightyMouseTech]

Just ordered my MTF-LT-5 and OEM oil filters.

Guess not many people do a break in service, as the dealer here has never sold any MTF-5. They kept asking why I wanted it, and have to special order in a case for me. Is this not the same fluid the MT 1M's are supposed to use for their break in service? Geuss the 1M's around here all have the wrong fluid in the tranny.

Oh well, guess I will have the best maintained 135 around these parts. I am used to parts guys looking at me funny when I order stuff that is not the norm.

Will be using Motul 8100 5W40 engine oil and Motul Gear 300 75W90 in the diff. Luckily I have lots of both to use up. Same engine oil my smart called for, and the same gear oil I used in my old Suburban beast of a towing machine and the Vespa rear diff.

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by dm135is

I just completed oil/filter change at 1500 miles, and MT & diff fluid changes at 2000 miles, on my 2013 135i 6MT coupe.

Here's the dealer recommended fluids, and actual amounts I used:

BMW High Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5W30, 6.5 Quarts.
BMW OEM oil filter.
BMW MTF-LT-5 Manual Transmission Fluid, 75W-80, 1.25 Liters.
BMW C-SAF-XO Final Drive Gear Oil, 79W-90, 1 Liter.

I purchased all fluids from my BMW dealer, in quart & liter bottles, at reasonable prices with BMW CCA membership discount.

This Matco Speedy Vac Fluid Evacuation Kit sucked the old diff fluid out pretty well.

I recommend replacing the stock BMW drain plugs with Dimple Magnetic Drain Plugs.

I also recommend squirting half a tube of MoS2 (Molybdenum Disulfide) into the trans and the other half into the diff to help protect the gears over the long haul (not for engine use).

Finally, I recommend Mike Miller's Lifetime Maintenance Schedule for owners who care about their cars and/or plan to keep them for a long time (>100K miles).

Posting this simple info because it's hard to find and all over the place out there. Hope this helps.

Dave

Thanks for those recommendations!

Just a few things:

-Are there part numbers from the dealer that you can provide, as well as approximate costs so that we know if the pricing is consistent?

-Im a bit surprised that XO was recommended over XJ for the diff. Is there an FSM available to confirm anywhere?

-Ditto on the MTF 5, though Ive seen this elsewhere. Not sure of the difference in MTs, perhaps BMW decided they had to up the viscosity a bit to add protection given the added torque on 1M vehicles(?).

-I would advise against MoS2 in transmissions which use synchronizers, as it can effect the friction characteristics of them. How has it worked out? Any issues one way or another? Id still consider removing it, as the sulfur in the compound if not buffered properly could degrade the yellow metals in MTs. Im also interested in its use in the engine, as VVT systems reliant upon oil flow and pressure can be sensitive even to fine particles in some cases. Glad if it is a non-issue for you.