Run in service

[Dackelone]

Gotta luv it! BMW AG's //M engineers say you must change it... while BMW NA says: Ooops! Sorrry, no fluid in the country, lets don't change it for now! lol

[Dan Parker]

Not changing it until the correct fluid comes in is better than my situation.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Not changing it until the correct fluid comes in is better than my situation.

Yup! Hang in there.


Btw... in this global world we live in... why can't BMW NA have BMW AG FedEx the correct fluid over to your dealer? Even IF it comes in a 60L drum... why not?


Dackel

[hollysmac]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Not changing it until the correct fluid comes in is better than my situation.

I agree, Thankfully my Dealer read the bulliten before they drained my fluid and I will get my change as soon as the new fluid comes in.

Careful technicians are always appreciated!

Folk complain abour such little things. Let's all enjoy our cars or anticipation of them.

Holly

[Mnime]

well that sucks...they drained mine and have nothing to replace it with so its stuck on the rack. I wonder when this memo came out?

[Dan Parker]

Mine was changed May 19th so more than likely I was the first in the USA to make it to 1200 miles. The bulletin seems to have just come out a few days ago so it isn't as if the technicians or the dealer are at fault.

This happens a lot with new models. In 09, when VW came out with the new Tdi engine in the Jetta I drove 2 hours to get my first oil change and they didn't have the oil filter in stock yet. Talk about a huge waste of time. 4 hours driving and it took them over an hour to figure out they didn't have it.

This situation with the 1M has me concerned because I plan on keeping this car a very long time and the stresses on track for 2 hours were much greater than anyone will experience on the street. The oil temps reached 280 on the track Monday so what did the trans fluid reach, with the wrong fluid? I never missed a shift or ground a gear but I can't help but have the fluid analyzed independently when they do drain it. You can bet I'll be dipping a magnet in that bottle of drained fluid, in front of the service manager.

[Mnime]

my dealer has been in touch with and escalated this to bmw na, so i wonder if i was the cause of the warning/notice going out.... i too understand its not the dealers fault they dont have it but i cant help but think before you start draining fluids you would make sure you have replacements in stock first. thats the part that really pisses me off. like you i could take it back in when it was in stock and would have been totally understanding on it.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Mine was changed May 19th so more than likely I was the first in the USA to make it to 1200 miles. The bulletin seems to have just come out a few days ago so it isn't as if the technicians or the dealer are at fault.

This happens a lot with new models. In 09, when VW came out with the new Tdi engine in the Jetta I drove 2 hours to get my first oil change and they didn't have the oil filter in stock yet. Talk about a huge waste of time. 4 hours driving and it took them over an hour to figure out they didn't have it.

This situation with the 1M has me concerned because I plan on keeping this car a very long time and the stresses on track for 2 hours were much greater than anyone will experience on the street. The oil temps reached 280 on the track Monday so what did the trans fluid reach, with the wrong fluid? I never missed a shift or ground a gear but I can't help but have the fluid analyzed independently when they do drain it. You can bet I'll be dipping a magnet in that bottle of drained fluid, in front of the service manager.

Yikes, very sorry to hear, Dan. If I were in your spot, I would send a sample of your current tranny fluid to someone like Terry Dyson and have it analyzed!

[M3 Adjuster]

I've used these guys for years... http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests.php

[Kippers]

Do you know the date this memo went out to the BMW Service Managers?

My 1200 mile service occurred on June 1, 2011 ... and my invoice shows the standard transmission oil (assumed standard by the BMW part number that I find referenced as transmission oil in posts as old as two+ years ago, 83-22-0-406-941).

I plan to call the dealer in the morning, just wanted as much info as I could get before that call.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

My dealer just called to tell me to bring the car in and they would store it for 2-3 weeks while they wait for the correct fluid. They did the 1200 mile service almost 3 weeks ago and I've put about 1K miles on it as well as 1 track day. Awesome! They will be covering my transmission for an extended period if I have anything to do with it.

Here's the memo:

To: BMW Service Managers, Shop Foremen, and Technicians

Subject: 1 Series M Coupe 1200 Mile Service – Manual Transmission MTF LT5 Fluid Not Available

The 1 Series M Coupe requires a manual transmission fluid change. Due to a shortage of the new MTF LT5 manual transmission fluid, this specific service should not be performed until further notice. The other procedures for the 1200 mile service can be performed.

Do not substitute MTF LT5 fluid with any other fluid.

No premature wear will occur to the manual transmission if the fluid is not changed at the 1200 miles service.

We apologize for this inconvenience, and will provide additional information shortly.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Kippers

Do you know the date this memo went out to the BMW Service Managers?

My 1200 mile service occurred on June 1, 2011 ... and my invoice shows the standard transmission oil (assumed standard by the BMW part number that I find referenced as transmission oil in posts as old as two+ years ago, 83-22-0-406-941).

I plan to call the dealer in the morning, just wanted as much info as I could get before that call.

Thanks!

Message Date 6/8/2011
Message Submitted 6/8/2011 11:15:33 AM
Message Expires 7/6/2011
Subject 1 Series M Coupe 1200 Mile Service - Manual
Author First Name Technical Service


Im trying to look up the fluid (MTF-LT5) part number so you can compare.

[Kippers]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Message Date 6/8/2011
Message Submitted 6/8/2011 11:15:33 AM
Message Expires 7/6/2011
Subject 1 Series M Coupe 1200 Mile Service - Manual
Author First Name Technical Service


Im trying to look up the fluid (MTF-LT5) part number so you can compare.

Thank you ... I have a call into them now ... waiting for a reply ... trying to figure out how concerned I should be ...

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Kippers

Thank you ... I have a call into them now ... waiting for a reply ... trying to figure out how concerned I should be ...

list all the part numbers billed out on the invoice with the description next to it.

I will try to tell you what parts were billed / installed on your car..

I suspect that they did the oil change and diff fluid...... and didnt do the trans.. its just my guess.... it is possible that that had some fluid before the supply dried up... its happened before..some parts managers are sticklers for new stuff and dont want to be left out in the cold so they order when part becomes available.. its just a thought.

Regrads..

[Wild Bill]

I just checked my service invoice for the 1200 mile service that I had done on 6/1/11 and the Transmission Fluid MTF LT3 # 83-22-0-416-601 was used. quantity 4.

I will talking to the dealer as soon as they open this morning.

WB

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I just checked my service invoice for the 1200 mile service that I had done on 6/1/11 and the Transmission Fluid MTF LT3 # 83-22-0-416-601 was used. quantity 4.

I will talking to the dealer as soon as they open this morning.

WB

HAVE THEM REFERENCE dcs message POSTED 6/8/2011

This will show the correct fluid as being MTF-LT5... I am no fluid expert so i cant help you with the pros and cons on you driving with that fluid in the gearbox.....

You may have to park that car??? im just saying... and im the fartherst from an alarmist that there is... I just dont know...

[Wild Bill]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

HAVE THEM REFERENCE dcs message POSTED 6/8/2011 .

I talked to the dealer and they were aware of the dcs message and will get back to me this morning with the recommended solution.

Thanks for the input.

WB

[Wild Bill]

Just heard form the dealer, they said the bulletin requires them to ask you to have the car towed into the dealer immediately and they will provide a loaner for the 3-4 weeks it will take to get the fluid.

WB

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

Just heard form the dealer, they said the bulletin requires them to ask you to have the car towed into the dealer immediately and they will provide a loaner for the 3-4 weeks it will take to get the fluid.

WB

sorry man....

Knowing BMW the way i do, i am going to speculate that the fluid will arrive sooner than later, but it still may take some time..

p.s. The Bulletin makes no mention of what to do when the dealer screws up... It actually specifically states not to use any other fluid. They made an error and assumed the incorrect fluid, and are covering there arse for down the road.. my best guess is that a few hundered miles with MTF-LT3 will do no harm but as i said before, i dont know.

[Kippers]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

list all the part numbers billed out on the invoice with the description next to it.

I will try to tell you what parts were billed / installed on your car..

I suspect that they did the oil change and diff fluid...... and didnt do the trans.. its just my guess.... it is possible that that had some fluid before the supply dried up... its happened before..some parts managers are sticklers for new stuff and dont want to be left out in the cold so they order when part becomes available.. its just a thought.

Regrads..

Called, they are still looking into it ... waiting for a call back ... not real great at waiting.

Invoice for service:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...200Invoice.jpg

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Wild Bill

I just checked my service invoice for the 1200 mile service that I had done on 6/1/11 and the Transmission Fluid MTF LT3 # 83-22-0-416-601 was used. quantity 4.

I will talking to the dealer as soon as they open this morning.

WB

FYI most BMW manual trans only require two liters of fluid. My 135i only needed two liters of MTF-4 for my tranny fluid change.

[Wild Bill]

Originally Posted by Kippers

Called, they are still looking into it ... waiting for a call back ... not real great at waiting.

This is Joanne, Bill's wife, try waiting for the tow truck, that's worse... Now I have to leave work, go with the car to Crevier, then pick up loaner, hopefully a 135i and be 1Mless for 3-4 weeks

[trad]

same thing for me, just called my dealership and they don't have the correct Trans fluid in stock. They say they will do the full service and skip the trans fluid until they get some.