6 speed manual trans maintenance question

My 2013 M3 coupe has 46,000 miles and I am questioning the BMW service dept saying that the transmission fluid is now permanent. It was changed with the 1200 mile break-in service but that is it. I don't see many issues with higher mileage 6mt cars so maybe they are right.

here's a link to the DIY...
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=720669

I have 3L of Pentosin MTF2 75w-80 sitting here on my desk ready to go in this weekend.

Be sure to read that entire thread particularly the part about turning on the fluid pump. I had a lot of fluid come out from the lines. Probably about 20% of the total volume. No fluid in a car is lifetime IMO, it just doesn't make sense.

Sounds like crap to me. Manual clearly states change manual transmission fluid at 3rd oil change (along with spark plugs and differential fluid). I just had all three done by dealer at 40K miles as standard service.

Thank you kb9uwu for posting that link. I knew it would be a covered topic.

And yes, I will insist on new trans fluid with this upcoming 46000 mile service.

Three Pedal Steve wrote

My 2013 M3 coupe has 46,000 miles and I am questioning the BMW service dept saying that the transmission fluid is now permanent. It was changed with the 1200 mile break-in service but that is it. I don't see many issues with higher mileage 6mt cars so maybe they are right.

The Service Manual clearly says every 3rd oil change.

Bushum wrote  

Be sure to read that entire thread particularly the part about turning on the fluid pump. I had a lot of fluid come out from the lines. Probably about 20% of the total volume. No fluid in a car is lifetime IMO, it just doesn't make sense.

This. INPA can toggle the pump if you want to DIY. Also, standard trans oil change pro tip: Make sure you can loosen the fill hole BEFORE you loosen the drain hole. Otherwise you'll drain your fluid out and then have to flatbed it to a place that can loosen your fill hole.

jphughan wrote

This. INPA can toggle the pump if you want to DIY. Also, standard trans oil change pro tip: Make sure you can loosen the fill hole BEFORE you loosen the drain hole. Otherwise you'll drain your fluid out and then have to flatbed it to a place that can loosen your fill hole.

Oh man, I hope this wasn't a self taught lesson haha

atruelunatic wrote  

jphughan wrote

This. INPA can toggle the pump if you want to DIY. Also, standard trans oil change pro tip: Make sure you can loosen the fill hole BEFORE you loosen the drain hole. Otherwise you'll drain your fluid out and then have to flatbed it to a place that can loosen your fill hole.

Oh man, I hope this wasn't a self taught lesson haha

Not for me, but it has been for some!

I change mine as soon as I brought the car with 52k on it. I change all my fluids every 3 years or 30K.

My dealer refused to change transmission fluid during the warranty period saying it is permanent transmission fluid too.

It's BS, they just don't want to do it for you under their cost. BMW will refuse to do this service.

I ended up DIY for the fluid change.

Z K wrote

My dealer refused to change transmission fluid during the warranty period saying it is permanent transmission fluid too.

It's BS, they just don't want to do it for you under their cost. BMW will refuse to do this service.

I ended up DIY for the fluid change.

It's a permanent fluid in the regular series car. The SA are confusing the M3 with the series car. Hand him or her the service manual and if they could read, it'll say every 3rd oil change.

12mpgm3 wrote

Sounds like crap to me. Manual clearly states change manual transmission fluid at 3rd oil change (along with spark plugs and differential fluid). I just had all three done by dealer at 40K miles as standard service.

When you say have all three changed at every 3rd oil service...do you mean every 45,000 miles according to BMW's 15,000 miles per oil change recommendation? The reason I ask is because I change my oil every 5,000 miles and I'm not sure if you mean changing the spark plugs every 15,000 miles or something else. Thanks for the help.

M__3__R__A__G__E wrote

When you say have all three changed at every 3rd oil service...do you mean every 45,000 miles according to BMW's 15,000 miles per oil change recommendation? The reason I ask is because I change my oil every 5,000 miles and I'm not sure if you mean changing the spark plugs every 15,000 miles or something else. Thanks for the help.

The manual says 15,000 for oil changes. Every third oil change would be 45,000 miles. I'm freaking smart!

Seriously, who changes their spark plugs every 15k?

kb9uwu wrote

The manual says 15,000 for oil changes. Every third oil change would be 45,000 miles. I'm freaking smart!

Seriously, who changes their spark plugs every 15k?

I'm not saying I would do that, hence the question...I was curious as the general consensus on these forums is that oil changes do not abide by the BMW set warranty schedule. A great deal of individuals change their oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. I was confused simply because the phrase, "every three oil changes" means completely different things for those who change their oil every 5-7,500 miles and those who change their oil every 15,000 miles.

I can chime in a bit here, if only to say that I currently have a car that is 5.5 years old with 25k on it.

I store it in the winter, so I've just ordered diff and trans fluid items to change before putting it to bed for a few months, even though I am not close to 45k. I figured 5 years is enough for water to get in there and condense, so it's time.

I did change my plugs in the spring, and they were fine, though cylinder 1 was more charred than the others. I'd follow the 32k manual interval.

kb9uwu wrote

The manual says 15,000 for oil changes. Every third oil change would be 45,000 miles. I'm freaking smart!

Seriously, who changes their spark plugs every 15k?

The same people who changes their oil every 5k.

If you are concerned but under warranty and the dealer won't do it for free, pay for it. However I do not think you have anything to worry about on a 2013 with 46k.

Thanks for the input from all.
Now the rest of the story.....
At the heart of the problem is BMW's "Condition Based Service" which even the owner's manual says trumps actual mileage and time period. The dealer says BMW's warranty person determined that service is unnecessary based on computer inputs. Common sense is out the window.
So I paid the dealer his ransom because, like most of you, I plan to keep this car forever and am willing to pay a premium to drive it. All this expensive dealership service does show up on my car's CarFax report. But does it really matter if I never sell the car? I think I will be searching for the right independent shop when I reach 50,000 miles.
Now I contemplate the preventative rod bearing upgrade.

Three Pedal Steve wrote

Thanks for the input from all.
Now the rest of the story.....
At the heart of the problem is BMW's "Condition Based Service" which even the owner's manual says trumps actual mileage and time period. The dealer says BMW's warranty person determined that service is unnecessary based on computer inputs. Common sense is out the window.
So I paid the dealer his ransom because, like most of you, I plan to keep this car forever and am willing to pay a premium to drive it. All this expensive dealership service does show up on my car's CarFax report. But does it really matter if I never sell the car? I think I will be searching for the right independent shop when I reach 50,000 miles.
Now I contemplate the preventative rod bearing upgrade.

BMWNA paid for annual oil changes on my M3 when it was still under warranty period (usually I had about 5k miles each year), and when the third one arrived, they changed the transmission fluid per the manual. No questions asked, no issues. You're dealing with an incompetent dealership it appears?