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      02-04-2019, 09:11 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moveitsmikey View Post
I know of a 335i with 150k unsure of if it's original fluid though. Peaks my concern now that you mention it.
Unless you're thinking about a 335is, the 335i comes with a conventional torque converter automatic.
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      02-04-2019, 09:18 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
Unless you're thinking about a 335is, the 335i comes with a conventional torque converter automatic.
Yep, only the 335is could be optioned with the DCT in the 3 series line. And the M3, of course.

I believe the DCT was offered on the N54 335i in Europe, though.
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      02-04-2019, 09:39 PM   #25
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No one has mentioned that by draining the fluid and refilling you're only changing a small fraction of the total fluid inside the transmission.
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      02-04-2019, 11:13 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferocity02 View Post
No one has mentioned that by draining the fluid and refilling you're only changing a small fraction of the total fluid inside the transmission.
The video outlines the pan itself being replaced. I had new fluid put in when my pan gasket and the other mechatronics unit gasket were replaced due to leaks. I have to assume most of the fluid comes out in such cases.
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      02-04-2019, 11:36 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by ferocity02 View Post
No one has mentioned that by draining the fluid and refilling you're only changing a small fraction of the total fluid inside the transmission.
No, the DCT transmission has no torque converter.
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      02-04-2019, 11:37 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moveitsmikey View Post
I know of a 335i with 150k unsure of if it's original fluid though. Peaks my concern now that you mention it.
Unless you're thinking about a 335is, the 335i comes with a conventional torque converter automatic.
Good to know.
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      02-04-2019, 11:38 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ferocity02 View Post
No one has mentioned that by draining the fluid and refilling you're only changing a small fraction of the total fluid inside the transmission.
The video outlines the pan itself being replaced. I had new fluid put in when my pan gasket and the other mechatronics unit gasket were replaced due to leaks. I have to assume most of the fluid comes out in such cases.
It does since it does not have a TQ
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      02-05-2019, 12:22 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
The video outlines the pan itself being replaced. I had new fluid put in when my pan gasket and the other mechatronics unit gasket were replaced due to leaks. I have to assume most of the fluid comes out in such cases.
Did you get a chance to see the fluid that came out of your transmission, or did they tell you the condition of it, like how dirty it was? Also, how many miles did you have at the time of changing? I'm at almost 41k miles. The fluid in the video here was at ~30k and didn't look so good.
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      02-05-2019, 12:53 AM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
The video outlines the pan itself being replaced. I had new fluid put in when my pan gasket and the other mechatronics unit gasket were replaced due to leaks. I have to assume most of the fluid comes out in such cases.
Did you get a chance to see the fluid that came out of your transmission, or did they tell you the condition of it, like how dirty it was? Also, how many miles did you have at the time of changing? I'm at almost 41k miles. The fluid in the video here was at ~30k and didn't look so good.
Exactly my point. 30k miles and that fluid was pitch black. Hence loses its viscosity. That's when fluid becomes so thin from heat in the transmission and it loses its ability to protect it from internal wear. The DCT transmission has A LOT of moving parts much more advanced than even a standard automatic transmission.
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      02-05-2019, 04:08 AM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moveitsmikey View Post
I know of a 335i with 150k unsure of if it's original fluid though. Peaks my concern now that you mention it.
Unless you're thinking about a 335is, the 335i comes with a conventional torque converter automatic.
I believe the DCT was available on the 2008 M3, the second-gen. Z4 Sdrive35i and sDrive35is, and was an available option on the 335i (coupe, convertible), 335is and 135i.

So there are bound to be a few high mileage vehicles out there.

I'm at 65k & have been thinking about whether to do the DCT & diff fluids sometime fairly soon.
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      02-05-2019, 04:12 AM   #33
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Apparently the Getrag dual-clutch transmissions are also used in the BMW M3, BMW 335is, BMW Z4 (E89) sDrive35i, Dacia Duster EDC, Ferrari California, Ferrari 458 Italia, LaFerrari, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Renault Megane, Renault Scenic, smart fortwo, Volvo V40, Volvo V60 Volvo V70 vehicles.
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      02-05-2019, 12:27 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tock172 View Post
I paid for new fluid when I had my DCT leak fixed and it wasn't cheap. From my understanding, they were just going to pour the old fluid back in. I'm not sure about the detailed specifics of the service procedure, but at least I'm running fresh fluid.

The idea of not changing the fluid after a certain number of miles applies to conventional torque converter automatic transmissions. Some shops will not touch them once they've covered 80 to 100k miles on the original fluid that BMW branded as Lifetime. I did it anyway on a previous automatic of mine and never had problems. I opted for a simple drain and refill on the conventional torque converter automatic as opposed to a flush which could dislodge particles in the valve body and render the car immovable.

I don't think any of that sentiment applies to DCT. It's a fundamentally different setup. The Lifetime thing I take with a grain of salt. Change the fluid if you want peace of mind.

As far as fluid is concerned, Pentosin is the factory fill from my understanding. Over the last few years though, there are number of alternatives from popular manufacturers. Valvoline, Amsoil, Liqui Moly and several others all make a DCT fluid.
If you had bothered to read the Pentosin link I provided, you'd see that they recommend changing the DCT transmission fluid in the BMW plus doing a flush of the DCT transmission. A flush in the typical auto transmission is considered a bad idea due to plugging up oil passages.

A flush of a DCT box isn't a problem due to it is just a box of gears. BTW, Pentosin is a common lubricant used universally by the German auto industry.
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      02-05-2019, 12:34 PM   #35
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Conventional automatics have a torque converter and torque converters do not, to my knowledge, have drain plugs. So if you pull the pan or pull the plug and change the fluid and hopefully the filter on a conventional automatic you are removing well less than all the fluid. The logic for gear changes in conventional automatics also used to be hydraulic in a valve body. I do not believe that is the way it is done any more. Horror stories about fluid changes in conventional automatics at high mileage makes many leery. The "flush" normally just involves circulating some fluid so the torque converter is changed too.

DCTs are very different and it seems to me more like manuals than automatics mechanically. They are automated manual transmissions. The gear side of them would need a fluid change like a manual transmission needs the fluid change. They have clutches, however, which conventional automatics also have, but I don't see why changing the fluid would harm a clutch. It is a key source of heat so the clutch would logically benefit from new fluid with the additives back at new levels. If I ever own a DCT, I would treat it like a manual. Might do an early change then changes about every 50K miles.
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      02-05-2019, 12:40 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimD View Post
Conventional automatics have a torque converter and torque converters do not, to my knowledge, have drain plugs. So if you pull the pan or pull the plug and change the fluid and hopefully the filter on a conventional automatic you are removing well less than all the fluid. The logic for gear changes in conventional automatics also used to be hydraulic in a valve body. I do not believe that is the way it is done any more. Horror stories about fluid changes in conventional automatics at high mileage makes many leery. The "flush" normally just involves circulating some fluid so the torque converter is changed too.

DCTs are very different and it seems to me more like manuals than automatics mechanically. They are automated manual transmissions. The gear side of them would need a fluid change like a manual transmission needs the fluid change. They have clutches, however, which conventional automatics also have, but I don't see why changing the fluid would harm a clutch. It is a key source of heat so the clutch would logically benefit from new fluid with the additives back at new levels. If I ever own a DCT, I would treat it like a manual. Might do an early change then changes about every 50K miles.
I agree. I always change fluids. It's called maintenance 😂😃
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      02-05-2019, 01:19 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Esteban View Post
Did you get a chance to see the fluid that came out of your transmission, or did they tell you the condition of it, like how dirty it was? Also, how many miles did you have at the time of changing? I'm at almost 41k miles. The fluid in the video here was at ~30k and didn't look so good.
I did not get a look at the fluid, which I regret. As I mention below, it was already a bit of a process to get the fluid service done when the leaks were being fixed.

My log shows that the car had 39k miles when the repair and fluid change was done.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Jose View Post
If you had bothered to read the Pentosin link I provided, you'd see that they recommend changing the DCT transmission fluid in the BMW plus doing a flush of the DCT transmission.
I read the page, and at this point, really don't care. It was difficult enough to get the dealer to use new fluid instead of the old stuff and going through the headache of making them do a DCT flush seems like it would have been a pain in the ass with lots of unnecessary added complication. If I keep the car long enough to do another fluid service, I'll see about having my preferred independent garage handle it. In the meantime, I lose no sleep over my DCT transmission and its fluid.
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      02-05-2019, 01:22 PM   #38
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Here is what I believe to be a comprehensive list of BMWs that could be had with the DCT or M-DCT transmission in the US:

Quote:
• 2008 - 2013 M3
• 2011 - 2013 135i
• 2013 135is
• 2010 - 2016 Z4 sDrive35is
• 2011 - 2013 335is
• 2011 - 2016 M5
• 2012 - 2018 M6
• 2016 - 2018 M2
• 2019 - Present M2 Competition
• 2015 - Present M3 & M4
Feel free to make suggestions and I will edit the post as necessary.

At this point, it should be noted that many manufacturers including BMW are moving away from dual-clutch transmissions in favor of the most advanced versions of the tradition torque converter design, like the ZF 8-speed that has infiltrated almost everything at this point. For the next generation of M cars, because BMW is embracing M-xDrive, there is expected to be no DCT availability.
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      02-05-2019, 03:02 PM   #39
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I have a 2013 135is with DCT that I bought with 34,xxx on the clock. I am now at 102,xxx miles and I have yet to change the transmission fluid. Shifts are smooth and crisp and I have no issues with the DCT as of yet.

When I bring my car in for an oil change I will inquire with my SA and see if there are any leaks or anything obvious in that area that need to be addressed.
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      02-05-2019, 03:21 PM   #40
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The main thing I would worry about from not changing the fluid will not be noticed until it is too late. As the fluid begins to break down, it's lubricating qualities are reduced and bearing wear will go up. I believe the same fluid as goes past the gears and bearings also cools the clutches. That heat load will make the fluid degrade more rapidly than in a manual where the clutch is dry and outside of the transmission. Bearing wear will not make itself known in the first 100K miles. But if you drive it long enough, you may need a complete rebuild where you would not if you change the fluid.

I have changed the fluid twice in my manual so far. I have about 81,500 miles on my car. I cannot see anything about a DCT that would make me change it less often.
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      02-07-2019, 12:44 PM   #41
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Can anyone in here confirm if the DCT does indeed use the side suction filter for the transmission like shown in the video but for a 135i? Shops are quoting me without it as I feel they don't even know.
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      02-08-2019, 08:42 AM   #42
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I am not sure I completely understand it but this is the picture from realoem:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=28_0005

There is something that looks like a cannister type filter, part 8, that is labeled a pressure filter. Also something labeled a suction filter that looks like what conventional automatics have.
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      02-08-2019, 10:31 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimD View Post
I am not sure I completely understand it but this is the picture from realoem:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=28_0005

There is something that looks like a cannister type filter, part 8, that is labeled a pressure filter. Also something labeled a suction filter that looks like what conventional automatics have.
Yup #6 and 8. I went on fcpeuro, looked it all up. Parts are 500 bucks. Gonna try one other site...
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      02-08-2019, 12:48 PM   #44
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I use RockAuto a lot. I don't know what parts you priced at $500 at fcp but RockAuto has both filters for well under $100. They charge extra for shipping but it is normal rates.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ic,filter,8600
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