Dealer Response to Auto Transmission Fluid Service Request

[Mr. Toad]

My car is a 2009 CPO 128i with automatic transmission and 53,300 miles. I called my local dealer to get a price for changing the transmission fluid and the response was that they don't generally offer that service because the system is sealed for life and requires no service.

When I asked if that meant that they literally would not do it, he said they would if I really wanted it but I would first have to agree not to hold BMW responsible in the event that the service stirred up existing dirt/particles which subsequently caused the transmission to malfunction. He said the price would be "about $800", with "about $400" of that going to the cost of the fluid, which he said is "very expensive".

Anyone else have a different experience with their dealer on this subject?

[1911A145]

Hahahahahhahah.....hahahahahahaah

[Qunadry]

I had the manual gearbox fluid and differential fluid changed at 1200 miles and had no problems with my dealer other than they had to order the gearbox fluid. I will get them changed again at 30,000 miles and every 30,000 miles thereafter.

[pj.rodriguez]

There is a DIY on here about that I think, but I was wondering about going to a dealer to get it done also. I never asked because I feared of getting the same response. I believe ECS tuning sells a transmission fluid kit (I could be wrong, but I remember seeing it somewhere). And I don't think its $400.

[RoundelM3]

Find a good Indy shop to do this - they're almost always less expensive than a dealer and carry good synthetic products that comply with BMW requirements. I did this with my previous E92 and had no issues at all.

[TwinTurboed]

LOL $400 for fluids? Seems like he is trying to screw you hard! Redline D4 ATF synthetic transmission fluid costs about $50 and an Indy shop near me said they will replace transmission and diff fluid for $95 labor. Don't get screwed by the dealer, find an Indy shop.

[Mr. Toad]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboed

LOL $400 for fluids? Seems like he is trying to screw you hard! Redline D4 ATF synthetic transmission fluid costs about $50 and an Indy shop near me said they will replace transmission and diff fluid for $95 labor. Don't get screwed by the dealer, find an Indy shop.

Agreed; that was my thinking as well. I posted my experience out of curiosity over whether dealer reluctance to change transmission fluid is typical. I thought it odd because most dealers are happy to have customers voluntarily bring their cars in for service that isn't mandated.

[TheSt|G]

You also need to replace the gasket, filter, often the pan, and all that crap along with the fluid. Auto trans fluid swaps are a bit more involved than manual, and considerably more expensive.

[TwinTurboed]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You also need to replace the gasket, filter, often the pan, and all that crap along with the fluid. Auto trans fluid swaps are a bit more involved than manual, and considerably more expensive.

Did not know that you need to replace all that for an Auto. Glad I drive a 6MT. Even if you buy all those parts and have an Indy shop do the job, it would be around ~$300, not $800!

[135Pats]

For 6AT swap the pan, gasket, and fluids, I did mine at 50K and will do it again at 100K. Redline D4 has been good to me. Going to the dealer for any sort of fluid swap is criminially dumb. Do not waste your money. ECS has a kit with everything you need including the filler plug.

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You also need to replace the gasket, filter, often the pan, and all that crap along with the fluid. Auto trans fluid swaps are a bit more involved than manual, and considerably more expensive.

Another reason to drive a manual.

[3002 tii]

Keep in mind there's a difference between drain and fill vs flush. Your SA might be referring to a full flush of the entire system which is very difficult, costly and potentially harmful if not done properly. A simple drain and fill on the other hand is really easy. Don't recall what the latest version from BMW is (MTF-L1/2/3) but 1 jug is enough for 2 cars. I paid maybe $70 at a reputable indy and that include the cost of fluid.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboed

Did not know that you need to replace all that for an Auto. Glad I drive a 6MT. Even if you buy all those parts and have an Indy shop do the job, it would be around ~$300, not $800!

Originally Posted by Qunadry

Another reason to drive a manual.

Agreed.

I'm just pointing out that it will not be $70 swap like in a 6MT car, expect a couple hundred in parts alone.

[froop]

I did this myself at 100,000kms. Made a big difference to the smoothness of the shifts. Parts including fluid and pan (incl gasket, filter and magnet) with shipping came out to less than $400.

DIY - 135i/N54 Steptronic Automatic Transmission Fluid Flush and Service http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777083

[Juiced46]

BMW auto transmission fluid is VERY expensive. Its about $20+ per HALF litre. If you just want a drain and fill you are talking hundreds of $$ in just fluid. Plus gaskets etc.

Second- BMW trans fluid is lifetime fluid. There is no reason to change the Auto trans fluid. Only top off if you have a leak repaired, but there is no need to replace it. I have never seen a BMW auto trans fail due to fluid not being changed. I have seen many failures when putting all brand new fluid in there. There is a reason why BMW states its a lifetime fluid. I understand you are trying to do preventative maintenance, but there is a reason why the dealer wants you to sign an agreement that if something happens its not their fault. Because they have seen the same failures @ the dealership, that I have also seen. You do not need to change it on an Auto car period. I would save your $$

A manual car is completely different and should be changed.

[pj.rodriguez]

Originally Posted by Juiced46

BMW auto transmission fluid is VERY expensive. Its about $20+ per HALF litre. If you just want a drain and fill you are talking hundreds of $$ in just fluid. Plus gaskets etc.

Second- BMW trans fluid is lifetime fluid. There is no reason to change the Auto trans fluid. Only top off if you have a leak repaired, but there is no need to replace it. I have never seen a BMW auto trans fail due to fluid not being changed. I have seen many failures when putting all brand new fluid in there. There is a reason why BMW states its a lifetime fluid. I understand you are trying to do preventative maintenance, but there is a reason why the dealer wants you to sign an agreement that if something happens its not their fault. Because they have seen the same failures @ the dealership, that I have also seen. You do not need to change it on an Auto car period. I would save your $$

A manual car is completely different and should be changed.

Froop reports that it changed the transmission feel completely. His was laggy and jerky and since then has been fixed. No failures. I don't think anything can be lifetime though, can it really? And when you do change your ATF, not all of it comes out since a couple litres are stuck in the torque converter, so perhaps it's not as harmful as you may think? and also, the fluid does not cost that much. $9 per litre from ECS Tuning.

[Dackelone]

For the DIY-er or to order the correct fluid for your trans... try these guys...

http://www.thectsc.com/