Are you still on your original tranny?

[e34musician]

Bought the car a week ago. Having learned more about the M60 V8 and the 5spd Auto ZF transmission from this great forum, I'm paraniod that my tranny will go soon. I actaully wrote down Kirk phone# that put that in my car.

Is anyone with the same car still on original tranny? What is your mileage? What tranny maintanance service have you done?

Mine still shifts smooth. But some time the reverse is engaged a bit slow, and the car shakes a bit when engage. Is this a sign of a bad thing? Please calm me down. Thanks!

PS: just discovered the kickdown method from this forum yesterday. Been shifting from "D" to "S" manually for a week when passing. This really makes it much more fun to drive. I have to admit that this is the best car I have ever own and driven (this is my first BMW) :)

[632 Regal]

mine is original, I try to change the filter and fluid that comes out every 30k.

[e34musician]

mine is original, I try to change the filter and fluid that comes out every 30k.

Thanks! That's amazing! You're almost 200K on the original tranny. You really calm me down. So our tranny is actually not that bad! What tranny fuild that you have been using?

I am looking for an oil pan gasket and a filter. I will drop the pan to change the filter and fluid this weekend.

[Ross]

114k on the "less robust" 4L30E, fingers crossed

[Russell]

What trany fluid does your car require? I think some of the V8s use a special (read expensive) trany fluid. I think only the e34 6 cylinder cars with the GM trany use Dexron III trany fluid. Be best to verify. Check the archives as well.

Good luck. BTW, I change trany fluid and filter every 30,000 and have the original trany.

[Martin in Bellevue]

I've got a solid 84k miles on my original gearbox. It may be more. It still shifts well, in fact better than it did when I first bought the car a few years ago, with the z8 shifter, an autosolution knuckle to the shift selector, & refreshed shifter bushings.

Is the 5 speed manual gearbox germaine to this conversation?

[Mendozart]

I've got 197k on original 4l30e.

[632 Regal]

I use royal purple synthetic Dexron III, about 3 or 4 bux a quart, you will need 4 when you change the filter out. Got my filter and gasket from BMAparts.

You might want to contact Kirt about the reverse issue you have and see what he says about it too.


Thanks! That's amazing! You're almost 200K on the original tranny. You really calm me down. So our tranny is actually not that bad! What tranny fuild that you have been using?

I am looking for an oil pan gasket and a filter. I will drop the pan to change the filter and fluid this weekend.

[DABLACK]

Differant motor but My 91 525 has 300+ km's just did a fluid and filter change...(ATF)
shifted smooth but had trans-error messg very intermitantly before that, also changed relay just incase all seems good

[Jon K]

I am - with an expected 350 - 375 hp

[e34musician]

I use royal purple synthetic Dexron III, about 3 or 4 bux a quart, you will need 4 when you change the filter out. Got my filter and gasket from BMAparts.

You might want to contact Kirt about the reverse issue you have and see what he says about it too.

Thanks, Jeff and all replys. Will check with Kirt if the reserve engage jerk is normal.

Another quick question, I learn that only ~50% of original fluid will come out. Can I just add the royal purple systhetic dexron III (mix with original fluid) into the system? Will this cause any issue?

[Bimmerman]

My car has the original 5 speed ZF auto (5hp18) with dubious service history. just clicked over a quarter million kilometres with no problems (fingers crossed) I only replace what comes out when i service it

[mikell]

212,000 miles on my original ZF

[Ross]

Let's talk about your clutch though.

[BillionPa]

if you are gonna be doing a change on the 540, do 2, the 2nd one 5000 miles after the first one. that will get the fluid cleaner without shocking the tranny.

[Thayne]

Still on mine.

[uscharalph]

269,000 miles and still going strong.

[JMI]

... also changed relay just incase all seems good

Which relay are you referring to?

TIA