[overcoil]

For my second service at 17K mikes I asked the dealership to change out the manual gearbox fluid. I swear the gear change is smoother then before. I'm curious if it's due to a different fluid. Maybe it's all in my head but it really feels better.
Curious if anyone else had noticed a difference with gearbox fluid change.

[123Britt]

I'm my old E90 I did use the expensive MT fluid from BMW; however, I changed to the Redline MTL which is lighter and it did make things a little smoother. I achieved my smoothest changes when I did the CDV (CLUTCH DELAY VALVE) delete - which restricted fluid and therefore protected the transmission during a potential clutch dump. I wonder if BMW still uses this valve.
.
.
After the switch to MTL and the CDV elimination -- my dealer was amazed and the techs thought it was the best shifting E90 they had driven.
.

[overcoil]

Yeah I did a cursory search few weeks back and don't think there is a way to delete the CDV.

But wow, when a manual shifts smooth - there is absolutely no notchiness

[matthibodeau]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

For my second service at 17K mikes I asked the dealership to change out the manual gearbox fluid. I swear the gear change is smoother then before. I'm curious if it's due to a different fluid. Maybe it's all in my head but it really feels better.
Curious if anyone else had noticed a difference with gearbox fluid change.

Out of curiosity how much did the manual gearbox fluid change cost?
Or was this covered under maintenance warranty?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by matthibodeau

Out of curiosity how much did the manual gearbox fluid change cost?
Or was this covered under maintenance warranty?

Not part of maintenance or warranty.

Parts: 83-22-2-239-654 MTF LT 5 $70.72 x 2 = $141.44
Labor $111.20

Total $252.64

[1LegitM235i]

I don't know if I want my notchy feel to go away. It must be when I had my E39 540 that I really liked the feeling. It gives me that reassurance its in gear. Is the the notchiness completely gone Scott?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by 1LegitM235i

I don't know if I want my notchy feel to go away. It must be when I had my E39 540 that I really liked the feeling. It gives me that reassurance its in gear. Is the the notchiness completely gone Scott?

It just feels that it slides into gear WITHOUT the sensation that your going through synchromesh rings. I'm not really noticing any binding, it just SEEMS to slide smoother MOST of the time.
I had no complaints before the change, just though fresh gear oil would mean draining out any wear particles from new.
Could be my imagination but I don't think so, I really thought the fluid was updated and different.

[amw896]

I wanna do this (along with lsd fluid flush) but I don't know if I should do it before or after winter storage.....argh!

[jpnh]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Not part of maintenance or warranty.

Parts: 83-22-2-239-654 MTF LT 5 $70.72 x 2 = $141.44
Labor $111.20

Total $252.64

It sounds like they charged you over an hour of labor to do a drain and fill of the gearbox?

OMFG

Did they throw the KY in for free?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by jpnh

It sounds like they charged you over an hour of labor to do a drain and fill of the gearbox?

OMFG

Did they throw the KY in for free?

I'm in an affluent area - rates are high.
And my dealership does great work, never scratches the car, no test drives.
Had new tire's put on at same time and no scratches on wheels and lugs torqued to spec.
I often do maintenance myself and think the labor price was fair particularly for a dealership.

Now I didn't know the fluid type and going price on-line, but it was cheaper then the fluid in my old Mercedes automatic.

[mdputnam]

For example in a few years ago in California:
Stevenscreek BMW (San Jose) $210.88/flathour
Mountainview BMW (Mountainview) $195/hour
Fremont BMW (Fremont) $198/hour

[Maynard]

I've seen other posts mention that they put break in additives in trans and diff initially, so the new stuff probably is different, even if the actual base oil is the same.

And FWIW they also charge $200/hour here in North Podunk NY - I guess I can look at the bright side, and consider myself to be living in an affluent area (are there 'low rent' BMW dealerships?). Our local place also comps you the KY for the first 4 years .

[123Britt]

I guess most of you would consider Alabama to be "Low Rent"
.
Our LOW Rent fees are $125 hr
.
BMW MTF is expensive -- out of warranty I would go with Redline.

[Tpeterson]

This is my plan.

[delvec03]

would I be crazy to want to do the trans fluid swap myself? I did it on my rx8 no sweat, however I am well aware that my 2er is a much different beast. anyone ever done it before? know of a diy for an f22?

[overcoil]

Check BavAuto videos on YouTube for possible instructions.

[Pparana]

Originally Posted by delvec03

would I be crazy to want to do the trans fluid swap myself? I did it on my rx8 no sweat, however I am well aware that my 2er is a much different beast. anyone ever done it before? know of a diy for an f22?

it is no big deal, drain then fill, just remove shields like for oil change and one more back.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by delvec03

would I be crazy to want to do the trans fluid swap myself? I did it on my rx8 no sweat, however I am well aware that my 2er is a much different beast. anyone ever done it before? know of a diy for an f22?

There is no drain plug so you need a fluid extraction pump,but that is no big deal. BMW lifetime fill,you know. Then just refill.Youtube is your friend.

[delvec03]

Originally Posted by Tpeterson

There is no drain plug so you need a fluid extraction pump,but that is no big deal. BMW lifetime fill,you know. Then just refill.Youtube is your friend.

Thanks for the heads up about the lack of drain plug. That should make it more interesting should I decide to move forward.

My thoughts on BMW Lifetime fill:
1. Why swap M car trans fluid but not non-M?
2. Every other car manuf. swaps trans fluid- calling general bullshit on BMW black magic

[Pparana]

There is a drain plug in manual trans, not on diff. I have changed the fluid 4 times, same on diff, yeah you just extract and fill.

[Drpoomanchu]

Originally Posted by Pparana

There is a drain plug in manual trans, not on diff. I have changed the fluid 4 times, same on diff, yeah you just extract and fill.

Did you notice any change in shifting after your fluid swap..?

[delvec03]

Hey guys! So I have a 228 and ordered MTF LT 5, but I believe my recommended oil is MTF LT 3. I can't find 3 anywhere online.

Should return the oil and try and get LT 3? Are there differences? What are they?

Thanks for the help!

-Chris