1200 Mile Service Question

Hey all, had my 1200 mile service last week, and it looks like they changed the oil and the differential fluid, but not the transmission fluid.

Are they still supposed to change the transmission fluid? I have a 6MT.

No they will never change it BMW states that its lifetime fluid

ridin135 wrote

No they will never change it BMW states that its lifetime fluid

Weird, that is contrary to nearly every other post I've read about it.

Team Plutonium wrote  

ridin135 wrote

No they will never change it BMW states that its lifetime fluid

Nope. A bulletin has been sent out to shops telling them to change it. There was some confusion, but this has been confirmed by my former SA.

Just confirmed this as well!

show them this SIB number:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265139

-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.

I agree with the previous posters.

I brought this up to my SA when I took mine in about 6 weeks ago, and he disagreed that changing the 6MT fluid was part of the service. I asked him to double check, which he did, and it is in fact part of the 1,200 mile service .

ridin135 wrote  

No they will never change it BMW states that its lifetime fluid

Incorrect on 6MT. Can't believe there's still confusion on this almost 6 years into this car's lifecycle -- then again, even SAs can't seem to get it right either. I feel bad for all the M3s out there that they incorrectly serviced without the owner noticing.

The transmission fluid needs to be changed at 1200 miles on a 6MT. NO IFs and BUTs period.

See my post: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265139&page=6

Unfortunately, My receipt doesnt show the service being performed. But after speaking to the shop foreman and contacting BMWNA (who called the shop and registered in their system that the fluid was changed) I feel ok.

Looks like they did not use the diff fluid with the FM booster, for the groan, so maybe your car doesn't suffer from the groaning issue:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/83222282583/ES197413/

jphughan wrote

Incorrect on 6MT. Can't believe there's still confusion on this almost 6 years into this car's lifecycle -- then again, even SAs can't seem to get it right either. I feel bad for all the M3s out there that they incorrectly serviced without the owner noticing.

ha! confusion...more like reading comprehension issues.

btw, hope all the 2008 and 2009 owners are also getting the fluid changed every 3 years (3rd oil change) as noted on the SIB too!

I'm debating on just asking them if I can watch the service being performed. That way I can make sure they grab me a sample and change all the correct fluids.

OilPatch wrote

I'm debating on just asking them if I can watch the service being performed. That way I can make sure they grab me a sample and change all the correct fluids.

ha!



good luck with that, major liability issue there.

I recommend you give them the bottle for the sample and just sit back and relax.
Nurse will do it for ya :cool: , just sit back and relax!


Best way to check work is to look at your receipt of work, it should show the parts numbers for all the fluid changes.

mdosu wrote  

good luck with that, major liability issue there.

I don't see how it's a liability to let me watch a tech drain oil from an engine, but I'm sure your right. I'm just not very trusting when it comes to techs doing what they are supposed to do at a dealer.

OilPatch wrote

I don't see how it's a liability to let me watch a tech drain oil from an engine, but I'm sure your right. I'm just not very trusting when it comes to techs doing what they are supposed to do at a dealer.

I've never had luck at dealership with asking them to observe. Generally, it's a liability issue with all the shops.


Btw, it's not that useful to get the 1200 oil sample, you should start at the following oil change.

mdosu wrote

I've never had luck at dealership with asking them to observe. Generally, it's a liability issue with all the shops.


Btw, it's not that useful to get the 1200 oil sample, you should start at the following oil change.

What he said. 1200 mile oil is going to have all kinds of stuff in it from break in and won't give you accurate levels.