1,200 Mile service today...

[B.Hallowell]

Just dropped the M3 off for it's 1,200 mile service appointment. I did 1,200 in a week to try and get it done with. It's DCT and I specifically requested for no trans fluid to be changed and good thing because the SA didn't know much about what I was talking about. Very reassuring. He put it in all caps on it though (along with do not wash :P) Going to be a long few hours till I get it back. I'll post my reviews tonight once I go WOT.

Maybe my black grilles, gills and painted reflectors will come in today?

[URBAN LEGEND]

Are you going S6 or S5?

[B.Hallowell]

Is there that big of a difference? Maybe I'll do both. :P

[Cabinetman]

Lucky dog! My 1200 mile service is scheduled for next Tuesday and i can't wait.

[MTROIS]

One week?? Woaw, good job!

[BimmerBoomer]

Originally Posted by Engle

Just dropped the M3 off for it's 1,200 mile service appointment. I did 1,200 in a week to try and get it done with. It's DCT and I specifically requested for no trans fluid to be changed and good thing because the SA didn't know much about what I was talking about. Very reassuring. He put it in all caps on it though (along with do not wash :P) Going to be a long few hours till I get it back. I'll post my reviews tonight once I go WOT.

Maybe my black grilles, gills and painted reflectors will come in today?

Mine goes in Monday. Why no change to transmission fluid?

[TTBear]

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

Mine goes in Monday. Why no change to transmission fluid?

Fluid is designed to be life-long, I believe. There were some problems with dealers putting in the wrong tranny fluid, with catastrophic results.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

Mine goes in Monday. Why no change to transmission fluid?

This is perhaps the most important thing you wil do for the life of your DCT-equipped car. The fluid is considered lifetime fluid.

There have been many horror stories here of dealers changing and using the wrong kind of fluid for the DCT. The fluid seems to be more valuable than gold, and it has to be ordered from Germany, so dealers don't have it, and there is no reason for them to, since it's not EVER supposed to be changed. There are cases of these transmissions ruined because of the wrong fluid being put in at the 1200 mi service.

The confusion exists at dealers, because the 6MT transmission fluid is supposed to be changed at the 1200 mi service.

Whatever you do, make sure the SA has it drummed into his/her brain that your car is a DCT, and DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT touching the trannie fluid.

[BimmerBoomer]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Are you going S6 or S5?

What S6 or S5 mean? Something to do with the DCT?

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

What S6 or S5 mean? Something to do with the DCT?

Yes, see post #7 in thread below:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319075

[B.Hallowell]

Yeah I'm just crossing my fingers that they can all read and write there. I'm sure they can but as with forums and all the horror stories I can't wait to just pick up my car. I mean going up to about 4k RPM has been fun and all but I really just want to stop getting outrun by dodge sprinter vans lol.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Engle

Yeah I'm just crossing my fingers that they can all read and write there. I'm sure they can but as with forums and all the horror stories I can't wait to just pick up my car. I mean going up to about 4k RPM has been fun and all but I really just want to stop getting outrun by dodge sprinter vans lol.

My business is aviation safety, and in our world, we do simple little things like placing placards on critical items and systems. It seems to me BMW could put a label over the drain with the words, DO NOT CHANGE FLUID--Refer to Service Bulletin XXX-XXXX.

But, that would be too simple.

[B.Hallowell]

Yeah I'd be so fortunante for that...

[BimmerBoomer]

Originally Posted by TTBear

Fluid is designed to be life-long, I believe. There were some problems with dealers putting in the wrong tranny fluid, with catastrophic results.

BMW Waterloo is very knowledgeable. They intend to change the DTC fluid with the correct fluid. My owner's manual says that the transmission fluid is to be changed.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

BMW Waterloo is very knowledgeable. They intend to change the DTC fluid with the correct fluid. My owner's manual says that the transmission fluid is to be changed.

Jim you are very wrong. Are you sure you aren't talking about differential fluid? Yes, that should be changed, but not DCT transmission fluid.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by foosh

Jim you are very wrong. Are you sure you aren't talking about differential fluid? Yes, that should be changed, but not DCT transmission fluid.

+1 Just had mine done 10 days ago, no DCT fluid change and SA knew that from the get-go.

[BimmerBoomer]

Originally Posted by foosh

Jim you are very wrong. Are you sure you aren't talking about differential fluid? Yes, that should be changed, but not DCT transmission fluid.

No, the dealer intends to change both. I put in a call to BMW Canada for confirmation. Also, the manual clearly states that oil, transmission fluid and differential fluid are to be changed at 2000 kilometers.

[foosh]

Jim, there is tremendous confusion about this. Make sure you reference this service bulletin:

-BMW service bulletin- SI B 00 04 08 -Maintenance and General Hints

M3

Reminder for operations needed at the 1200 Mile Service:

Replace the engine oil and oil filter

Replace the transmission oil on the standard-equipment 6-speed manual unit.

Note: The optional M DCT Drivelogic transmission has a long-term rated oil DCTF-1, which requires no replacement unless specified for a repair.

Remove and clean the transmission filter on the standard-equipment 6-speed manual unit

Replace the differential oil

Repeat these maintenance operations at every 3rd Engine Oil Service.

[BimmerBoomer]

Originally Posted by foosh

Jim, there is tremendous confusion about this. Make sure you reference this service bulletin:

-BMW service bulletin- SI B 00 04 08 -Maintenance and General Hints


Note: The optional M DCT Drivelogic transmission has a long-term rated oil DCTF-1, which requires no replacement unless specified for a repair.

Thanks. I'll show it to them and if they intend to change the DCT oil I'll ask to see the fluid. As long as it's DCTF-1 I should be good to go. And who knows...I could hear from BMW Canada.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

Thanks. I'll show it to them and if they intend to change the DCT oil I'll ask to see the fluid. As long as it's DCTF-1 I should be good to go. And who knows...I could hear from BMW Canada.

Why? You're asking for problems if you let them touch it. If they don't touch it, you have a 100% probability of no issues. If you let them touch it, 1 of 3 things will happen and 2 are bad:

1) Even though they told the tech what to use, he uses the wrong fluid, or

2) The tech uses the correct fluid but underfills or overfills it.

3) They do it correctly.

Why on earth would you let any dealer, no matter how good, do something contrary to BMW factory guidance? You might want to do a search on DCT Transmission Fluid. You'll find plenty of reading material on this forum.

And you're right that at least the 2008 Service and Warranty Information Manual (p. 7) makes reference to a transmission oil change in the 1200 mile service, which did not say "except on the DCT." That was an error, that I assume would have been corrected in the 2009 manual . . . maybe not.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by Jim Pearce

BMW Waterloo is very knowledgeable. They intend to change the DTC fluid with the correct fluid.

Lifetime fluid is crap, although changing it at 1,200 is not necessary, but desirable (to get rid of all assembly crap and break-in metal shavings).

These folks seem to imply changing the damn fluid is rocket science. It can't be any simpler; tranny has both fill and check plugs (same as the manual), and with the exception of a couple of techs who screwed up, it was done on many DCT cars. They just have to put the right fluid. Since it's pretty expensive, I'd GLADLY accept the free change. I'd watch them do it and make sure it's the right fluid, as an extra precaution. Good luck.

[BimmerBoomer]

No, it isn't corrected in the 2009 manual - which came with a 2010 car. Anyway, thanks - BMW Canada straightened the dealer out.