Attention all 6 speed MT owners! - 1200 miles service bulletin

irish_tyrant wrote

I just picked up my 08 M3 coupe a few weeks ago and now its saying that it wants the brake fluid changed.

You can definitely DIY. I just did a few months before it became due. When I reset the computer, it now shows brake fluid due in '04/12', which is 2 years from the actual date, not the due date (nice!). I'm going to do it every 18 months or so, like in all my vehicles. It only cost me $10 (Castrol GT-LMA), and some quality time with my car . I can do my other cars in no time, but this one requires requires lifting car at the front to reach slave cyl, so I remove front wheels to make things easier, and squeezie under the rear ones. Oh, and I always take the time to clean everything under engine, wheel wells, etc., to make sure there're no leaks or damage.

You can do anything you want as long as you know how to do it. You can consult the service manual online for a fee, if needed. Just keep receipts for proof of service.

elp_jc wrote

You can definitely DIY. I just did a few months before it became due. When I reset the computer, it now shows brake fluid due in '04/12', which is 2 years from the actual date, not the due date (nice!).

How did you reset your computer? Did you have to take it into the 'ship or could you do it yourself?

Cheers,

Irish

1badtantrum wrote

After some searching, found the 1200 mile service related bulletins. SB00 04 08 does have specific wording that applies specifically to 2009 models. I then found reference to a SB00 01 07 within. SB00 01 07 does mention 2008 models specifically.

SB00 04 08:
http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/bulletin_graphic_temp/B000408g.htm

SI B00 01 07:
http://www.bmwtis.com/tiscode/cgi-bin/omcgi.exe?sie_path=server.mappath/11649.3.B000107.xml&brand=bmwtis&sie_id=11649&usersession=211089527

These year specific mentions are marked 'new' in the documents as of 7/09.

Has anyone seen SBs on this topic for 2010 and 2011 E9x model M3s?

These would be helpful for those of us who will be coming up on our 1,200 mile break-in service soon.

TYIA

No issues at all at my local dealer getting the proscribed service. I did make sure to mention it before they took the keys, but the SA seemed to consider it a matter of course for a 1,200 mile/run-in service on a 6-speed. Seemed surprised that I even brought it up as something that could be overlooked.

irish_tyrant wrote

How did you reset your computer?

Easy man. Here you go:
-Start car
-Set dash computer to 'oil level', obviously with the turn-signal stalk side button.
-Press tripmeter reset button (on the dash) and keep it pressed until you get the service symbol with the letters 'RESET'.
-With the stalk 'wheel', turn it to scroll thru all the resettable services. You need to know the symbols, since no letters appear. Make sure you're resetting the right one .
-When you find the right one, press the stalk side button until 'RESET' is highlighted, which takes a couple of seconds. Momentarily hit the button again to reset; it takes a few seconds to complete. When completed, it goes back to the main reset menu.
-Keep scrolling for the next service you want to reset. After you're finished resetting, you have to shut the engine off to get out of that mode. That's it. Hope this helps .

By the way, I messed with the 'inspection' service since I don't want that thing reminding me, and once you hit the 'reset' button the last time, instead of going back to the reset menu, you get the current month highlighted: change it with the wheel and then press the side button. Then it jumps to the year: change with wheel again, press the side button and you're done. I set it somewhere in 2012. Didn't see any 'disabling' option, so guess cars sold in states not requiring safety inspections can be either disabled by dealer or set to 10 years from now < ha ha>. Rather change it manually myself than getting your DME reprogrammed, me thinks. Take care.

Are the symbols fairly self explanatory? I'm trapped in Texas right now, 4,500 km away from my car I'll check it out when I get home. Although, I just took my car in for an oil change, brake fluid and microfilter and they did it all for free under warranty.

is it really that bad if they didn't replace your tranny fluid during the 1,200 mi service? i'm already pushing 8000 miles and contemplating if i should go back and have them replace it. thanks.

ok so i called my dealership, another dealership, and even BMW NA customer relations and they said that the transmission fluid for both M-DCT and 6MT is lifetime - even after i pointed out what it says it the service and warranty info.

looking over the thread i just realized that the bulletin was for the 08's, maybe they changed it for the 09's?

The people you spoke with are simply wrong, based on everything you've seen here and my experience and discussions with my dealer.

I don't have mine with me, but isn't it even in the manual?

Yes, i's in the service book that the 6MT needs to have the fluid changed at 1200 miles and then every 3rd oil change.

rfdgn1228 wrote

ok so i called my dealership, another dealership, and even BMW NA customer relations and they said that the transmission fluid for both M-DCT and 6MT is lifetime - even after i pointed out what it says it the service and warranty info.

With morons like that, just order 2 quarts from Tischer (takes 1.8) and do it yourself man .

Is it fine if I upload a picture of my 1200 service record? I don't think my gearbox oil was changed even though I told the SA that it is suppose to and he assured me he would get me a mechanic who has "well knowledge" on what he is doing to work on my M3. From looking at the records it seems as if the oil was not changed and only the engine oil was changed and they preformed a break in service check, did not see the oil part number and things for anything other than the engine oil and wiper fluid, maybe the diff oil.

Can someone post a picture of their service papers showing the 6MT transmission oil changed? I see how some of you guys have part number listed for what was changed. I don't see transmission oil or differential oil part number or the words listed anywhere.

The only part numbers that I see are:
1 11-42-7-837-997 SET OIL-FILTER
ELEMENT:114010
9 07-51-0-009-420 OIL 10W60 : 832511
1 83-12-0-405-180 WINDSHIELD WASHER
ANTIFREEZE : 831510

Funny how they changed/added windshield washer fluid but not transmission or differential. Apparently it is more important to them. I even specifically told the SA in his face that the 6MT and DCT M3 service are different. He assured me my M3 will be handed to a "Specialized M car mechanic." About my differential not being changed, I have no idea. I guess this is how the saying "BMWs tend to break after the 4 year warranty period" comes from, ignorant SA. I knew I should of checked the service record more after the first few yards. I was experiencing never before felt mini-bucks, like the M3 was vibrating. Thought it was the new oil breaking in. Ruined my perfect 1200 break in service. I swear I had it at 1200.00, it ticked 1200 when I stopped in front of the SA.

Could someone let me know if the 2010 e92 M3 with only premium package has the same break-in service change as the 2008 and 2009 versions? Just thought of this, maybe I did not need the differential oil change because I do not have MDM but I doubt that.

/Rant

Diff and 6MT fluid should be changed at the 1,200 mile break-in service.

Make them put the fluid on the paperwork. I had an SA pull the "it's part of shop supplies, so we don't give it a unique line item..." carp with me on my E46 M3. It's not going to fly with the E90.

That paperwork is your only proof that the work was completed. If it's not there then it didn't happen in my opinion.

I just got my break-in service done last week on my 2010 e92 M 6MT and they replaced the tranny and diff oil. I made sure to ask the question when I booked my appt. and they assured me that it was included in the first service.

I had a transmission change due to a bad grinding issue. would the dealer still need to change the oil of the new transmission after the first 1200 miles of said transmission?

I would think so

e90m3_6MT wrote

I had a transmission change due to a bad grinding issue. would the dealer still need to change the oil of the new transmission after the first 1200 miles of said transmission?

I would think so

I would have the trans fluid changed after 1,200 on a new transmission.

That said, I would make sure the service department is going to cover it (in writing) BEFORE you have them do the work.

well at my service department, if they say they will do something they will and if there is any warranty issue they always advise before. they are simply the best there is.

but they told me that they put a different oil than what they put in in germany.

this allows them to usually not have to change the oil but they will still check with bmw to make sure. as I said, they are very good.

John@BMW wrote

The transmission fluid comes in a larger jug that the draw from and fill the trans up until fluid starts over flowing from the fill plug hole (approx. 2 quarts)

I may swap mine out to the Royal Purple Synchromax. Is 2 qts enough or might it be slightly more? Reason I ask is I have 2 qts and will do it today. If I need a 3rd I'll wait until next weekend.

Thanks!

johnnyace wrote

I may swap mine out to the Royal Purple Synchromax. Is 2 qts enough or might it be slightly more? Reason I ask is I have 2 qts and will do it today. If I need a 3rd I'll wait until next weekend.

It should be less than 2 (1.86 qts is the official number, I believe), but you probably won't get rid of all the fluid. Just can't believe there're only 2 quarts of fluid in there, especially with a cooler. I also plan to change it early, maybe every 2 years (about 8K miles for me ) to always have fresh fluid in there.

Please keep us posted on your impressions before and after fluid change. Have been wanting to do this since new, but been afraid to due to warranty coverage concerns. I put RP Synchromax on my '06 GTO a while back, and made a big difference, especially when tranny was cold. The M3 has the same cold notchiness, and could benefit from better fluid, but we have to make sure fluid is compatible with stock specs. By the way, the GTO took 4.6 qts, not less than 2 (no cooler though). Take care.

Mine did it w/o problems. FWIW: Shifts feel better than before the service.

Being able to run into the higher RPM is so much fun!

johnnyace wrote

I may swap mine out to the Royal Purple Synchromax. Is 2 qts enough or might it be slightly more? Reason I ask is I have 2 qts and will do it today. If I need a 3rd I'll wait until next weekend.

Turns out I didn't have the two qts of RP, so I ordered some Red Line. Will change it this weekend.