$800 Transmission Fluid Change

[Dr. Dre]

I recently contacted a local independent BMW repair/race shop. I asked, about getting my transmission fluid (DCT) changed on my E92. They quoted me a price of $800. This seems crazy.

The guy on the phone kept saying it takes a long time because the trans fluid is hot so the car has to sit. I understand that the car needs to sit for a long time but it's not like someone's working on it while it sits cooling down.


Is this price inflated or is there something i'm missing? Could the price reflect the fact that it's a DCT?

[shimmy23]

rip off. thats worse than BMW dealer pricing.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

rip off. thats worse than BMW dealer pricing.

Yep, proof again that independent shops are not necessarily the best, despite all I hear/read on this forum. Although obviously this is just one shop were talking about.

In my experience, the top rated indy shops are equal or more expensive than the dealer. And they're not open weekends, not open early or late, no service loaners, lucky if they have a shuttle service... Not very convenient!

[GSEN820]

That is way too expensive. That is a total rip off

[avantegardestyle]

i paid $40..............lol

[Dr. Dre]

Is the fluid ultra expensive?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

Is the fluid ultra expensive?

Yes, even if you go to the aftermarket. Still, $800 is laughable.

[ByeFelicia]

Is this flush and no repair of leak?

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

Is the fluid ultra expensive?

Like Darm says yes, very expensive. I had mine flushed ones in which case they use 20 liters in total which assumingly adds up. 800usd still sounds ridicilous though.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by avantegardestyle

i paid $40..............lol

I don't know what they did for $40 but you didn't get a DCT flush for that...

It shouldn't cost $800 at an indy, but lets break down what it costs to properly service a DCT:

-OEM DCTF1 fluid alone costs $27 per qt (Dealer price is $35 per qt) You'll use 5-6 or 10+ depending on how aggressive you want the flush. = $162-$275
-New Mahle aftermarket DCT suction and cartridge filters w/new O-rings = $100.
-OPTIONAL new pan and gasket (if current pan is leaking) $275.
-Access to BMW ISTA (or similar) software to activate transmission service module
-Approximately 2 hours shop labor @ $100/hr = $200.

You're at almost $500 for a basic quality independent job, at dealer price for labor and all components you could ultimately see $800. The job is tricky because you can only level check the fluid while at a certain temperature and engine running at 2krpm which necessitates special care and attention during the process. A proper flush will necessitate new filters as well..

You can skimp on the job to save a few bucks by using aftermarket DCTF1 and skipping new O-rings, but it won't ever be a cheap job- even if you try to do it yourself.

[Datka]

Deansbimmer, is it a bad idea to leave OEM DCT fluid unchanged till 75K miles, assuming there are no leaks anywhere?

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Datka

Deansbimmer, is it a bad idea to leave OEM DCT fluid unchanged till 75K miles, assuming there are no leaks anywhere?

No. DCT fluid is a "lifetime fill". There is NO reason to flush the fluid, replace filters, etc unless there is a leak you need to remedy or there is some other problem you are trying to resolve. 75k miles is no problem for factory fluid. Most DCT fluid is still dark honey color at around those miles. It doesn't get contaminated and need flushing like regular ATF does in automatic transmissions.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Datka

Deansbimmer, is it a bad idea to leave OEM DCT fluid unchanged till 75K miles, assuming there are no leaks anywhere?

Most of the DCTF-1 analyses I've seen on here showed that it's perfectly capable of handling 75k unless you were really beating on it day-in and day-out.

I changed mine at 50k and could've easily gone to 75k or longer.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

-OEM DCTF1 fluid alone costs $27 per qt (Dealer price is $35 per qt) You'll

Protip: you don't have to use the OEM/Pentosin fluid. Motul, Castrol, Red Line, Fuchs, Torco Liqui-Moly, and many others make compatible fluids. DCT fluids are actually just a 75w85 GL4 with some extra additives.

I opted for Motul Multi DCTF.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by dparm

Protip: you don't have to use the OEM/Pentosin fluid. Motul, Castrol, Red Line, Fuchs, Torco Liqui-Moly, and many others make compatible fluids. DCT fluids are actually just a 75w85 GL4 with some extra additives.

I opted for Motul Multi DCTF.

Yes I mentioned there are aftermarket fluids. In fact, I run Red Line in mine. I don't think these fluids have seen much real life analysis after 100k miles to assume they are as equally up to the task of a "lifetime fill" as Pentosin. For customers expecting to only have to replace their fluid once during their car's lifespan, I prefer to recommend OEM/Pentosin.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Yes I mentioned there are aftermarket fluids. In fact, I run Red Line in mine. I don't think these fluids have seen much real life analysis after 100k miles to assume they are as equally up to the task of a "lifetime fill" as Pentosin. For customers expecting to only have to replace their fluid once during their car's lifespan, I prefer to recommend OEM/Pentosin.

Fair point, but they're basically just a 75w85 GL4 gear lube. I have no worries about using them repeatedly.

[aus]

Next question is are those $1,000 larger, finned aluminum DCT pans worth it?

Thanks for the great info.
.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by aus

Next question is are those $1,000 larger, finned aluminum DCT pans worth it?

Maybe... It depends on usage and climate. If you drive mostly in "D" mode in a hot climate, lots of traffic/shifting/clutch slipping, or track the car- then yes it's worth it.

If you live up North in a cold climate or mostly shift yourself with little clutch slippage, then it's probably going to be a frivolous expense.

Edit: I thought you were talking about coolers...Pans rarely come up since they're somewhat new to the market. The pans won't do much for you. Yes they'l increase your fluid capacity which *may* help reduce temps through reduced heat soak, but I think they're more of a novelty item than they are a practical one.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by aus

Next question is are those $1,000 larger, finned aluminum DCT pans worth it?

Thanks for the great info.
.

Not unless you are tracking the car in absurdly hot temps and having problems with heat. The DCT is fairly robust. Plenty of guys running OEM fluid, OEM clutches, OEM pan, no extra coolers, etc. on the track year after year without problems.

[Banana Hammock]

That's way more than what I paid for oil, trans, and diff including the cost of fluids and labor.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

I don't know what they did for $40 but you didn't get a DCT flush for that...

It shouldn't cost $800 at an indy, but lets break down what it costs to properly service a DCT:

-OEM DCTF1 fluid alone costs $27 per qt (Dealer price is $35 per qt) You'll use 5-6 or 10+ depending on how aggressive you want the flush. = $162-$275
-New Mahle aftermarket DCT suction and cartridge filters w/new O-rings = $100.
-OPTIONAL new pan and gasket (if current pan is leaking) $275.
-Access to BMW ISTA (or similar) software to activate transmission service module
-Approximately 2 hours shop labor @ $100/hr = $200.

You're at almost $500 for a basic quality independent job, at dealer price for labor and all components you could ultimately see $800. The job is tricky because you can only level check the fluid while at a certain temperature and engine running at 2krpm which necessitates special care and attention during the process. A proper flush will necessitate new filters as well..

You can skimp on the job to save a few bucks by using aftermarket DCTF1 and skipping new O-rings, but it won't ever be a cheap job- even if you try to do it yourself.

Thank you for breaking this down for everybody.

Coming from shop side of this, consumers are too quick to throw forum "knowledge" at shop owners to argue a better price. if we had more people like Deansbimmer on the forums, then this wouldn't be a problem. I have changed my approach with customers now, if they start quoting internet hearsay to me, I usually kindly ask them to go elsewhere for repairs.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by pasghetti

That's way more than what I paid for oil, trans, and diff including the cost of fluids and labor.

6MT costs are completely different and much cheaper.