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Anyone ave any views it's worth changing the gearbox oil between the scheduled services ? I'm not sure when it shoudl be changed ?
They are not "sealed" except they do have drain plugs that keep the oil from running out on the ground. BMW specifies this as "lifetime" oil, but the consensus wisdom here is to change it at some interval around 30-50k miles, you pick.I've also heard that the gearboxes are sealed from the factory and the oil never has to be changed
Probably, but only IF you *trust* them not to over-torque the plugs in the aluminum casing and to fill the sump to capacity (it should *just* be at the level of the fill hole or dribble out slightly). Personally, I would just do it myself (which I did). It's really quite easy. As for diff fluid, I'm pretty sure it's different from the tranny fluid but I haven't changed mine yet. For the diff, I think it takes synthetic lube for limited slip diffs. Seems to me several people have posted DIY instructions on this board somewhere.Can I just go into Pep Boys or Jiffy Lube with a supply of trans. fluid and have them change it?
Sacrilegious to use the two names mentioned and the beast in the same statement. That car needs attention and caring that only the owner and qualified technician can give.Jaeger said:Okay, dumb question: Can I just go into Pep Boys or Jiffy Lube with a supply of trans. fluid and have them change it?
Lscman said:The differential uses 75W-140 API GL5 hypoid gear lube. This product is nothing like the GL3-ish lightweight transmission lube that's used in the Getrag tranny. A GL5 EP hypoid product would eat the synchros in the tranny.
I would strongly advise against taking your BMW to any generic chain to get service. The high school dropouts that work there will crossthread your bolts and occasionally forget to put lube back in etc. Too many oops incidents. There are many horror stories from places like Pep Boys, Sears, Jiffy and other's. They generally have sub-standard IQ & are not properly trained, so they treat your M5 like a Kia. The other common practice is to substitute cheaper lubes without your knowledge and stick the cost differential in their pocket. BMW Tech's make top dollar and they know better.
The M5 can be "hurt" very easily from overtightening tranny & oil pan plugs, as mentioned above. It can split the tranny case and require $5K replacement (after a BMW tech notices it a year later).