Pics of "Lifetime Fluids" on an E9x

[aus]

Found this on the E90 side and thought it was worth sharing.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=490468

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[immiketoo]

This is a niggle that has been bothering me for some time. I will just have my fluids changed no matter what the book says.

[mrkbbd]

Honestly, for 65k miles, those fluids don't look TERRIBLE, however I would prefer cleaner stuff in my car

[valeram]

I didn't see any pictures about DCT lifetime fluid.

[JCtx]

As any mechanically inclined person knows, there's no such thing. But it all depends where you live and how you drive. A person living in TX where it's over 100ºF 3 months of the year and tracking his car will require a fluid change MUCH sooner than somebody living in the north, who drives sedately and mostly on highways. Bottom line, the 'lifetime' of the first case would be very short indeed .

Those who abide by that EPA-forced statement diminish their resale value, and are cutting their transmission lives short. No way in hell I'd buy a car without a transmission fluid change more than 50K miles. And prefer to see it sooner than that in hot climates. At least the M3 calls for that every 30K miles, but maybe it's not fully synthetic fluid . Similar with 5/20 oils; they're not best for your engine, but that's what the EPA forces manufacturers to 'recommend'. Good day gang.

[skim]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

As any mechanically inclined person knows, there's no such thing. But it all depends where you live and how you drive. A person living in TX where it's over 100ºF 3 months of the year and tracking his car will require a fluid change MUCH sooner than somebody living in the north, who drives sedately and mostly on highways. Bottom line, the 'lifetime' of the first case would be very short indeed .

Those who abide by that EPA-forced statement diminish their resale value, and are cutting their transmission lives short. No way in hell I'd buy a car without a transmission fluid change more than 50K miles. And prefer to see it sooner than that in hot climates. At least the M3 calls for that every 30K miles, but maybe it's not fully synthetic fluid . Similar with 5/20 oils; they're not best for your engine, but that's what the EPA forces manufacturers to 'recommend'. Good day gang.

i change tranny and LSD fluids every 30k miles if i don't track anyways, but the 30k you mention up there is thru the free maintenance program or DIY?

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by skim

i change tranny and LSD fluids every 30k miles if i don't track anyways, but the 30k you mention up there is thru the free maintenance program or DIY?

It's under the 'free' maintenance on M3s (every other oil change). I'm doing it right now (with RP) and only have 6K miles on the fluids . But want smoother shifting, so we'll see. I also want to get rid of the diff chatter. I'd also do it at 30K max, but due to little use, I usually do it every 2 years, with less than 10K miles. Take care.

[ES_TRADER]

Originally Posted by valeram

I didn't see any pictures about DCT lifetime fluid.

I'm curious about this too. Does it ever need to be changed? I don't believe in lifetime fluid either yet at the same time im scared that if I ask the dealer to change it, they might f it up and put the wrong fluid or something. U kno like how they weren't supposed to change dct fluid at 1200

[llis]

Anyone know what it costs for an "optional" DCT fluid change?

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by llis

Anyone know what it costs for an "optional" DCT fluid change?

An infinite amount at a BMW dealer. They won't do it sticking to the claim that the fluid is lifetime. It is really pissing me off.

[e1000]

Although I agree there's no such thing as a lifetime fluid, color is a poor way to determine the state of modern lubricants.

[aus]

I agree but it does make one wonder what "Lifetime" means to BMW?
This is the same company that recently started a restoration division. I guess they won't be needing this division in 30 years because all the cars now will be dead after 100,000 miles.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by e1000

color is a poor way to determine the state of modern lubricants.

I wouldn't say 'poor'. Maybe not accurate, but not poor either. Brown ATF fluid is toast, for instance; no need for further analysis. And black oil might still have acceptable viscosity, but can have some additives already depleted.

My point is black oil might not be that bad, but it's not good either. And yes, for accurate results, only UOA will do. You just can't go wrong with frequent fluid changes. I just changed my tranny and diff oils at 7K miles, so whoever buys my car, will basically be buying a new car at half the price , as I drive it sedately and am extreme with the maintenance. Have a good one folks.

[donovan]

Originally Posted by mrkbbd

Honestly, for 65k miles, those fluids don't look TERRIBLE, however I would prefer cleaner stuff in my car

The dang fluid should be changed out, burnt/discolored.

[aus]

Is there anyway to get the DCT fluid in the US or Canada?