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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Digidick
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Digidick » Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pm

Just spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Current Z4 - 2007 E85 3.0Si

Daily Motor - 2013 Audi A7 BiTDi

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Silverzedtom
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Silverzedtom » Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:52 pm

Good to hear good feedback and that it doesn’t take long. I want change mine before summer. Was the old fluid in bad condition?
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Digidick
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Digidick » Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:55 pm

Not as black as I was expecting to be honest. Make sure you can undo the fill plug before draining the box, both take a 17mm socket/spanner.
Current Z4 - 2007 E85 3.0Si

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by ph001 » Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:23 pm

The Millers TRX is a GL-5 fluid though isn't it which apparently is less than ideal in terms of reacting with soft yellow metals such as brass, bronze and also aluminium to a point. I suspect that in practice you won't have any problems but BMW specify a GL-4 fluid for the transmission. This article explains it a little better... https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/differen ... aniel-shi/

EDIT: Ah, actually I see that's it's rated as GL-5 AND GL-4. Should be fine.
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Digidick » Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:30 pm

Opie Oils on EBay
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Current Z4 - 2007 E85 3.0Si

Daily Motor - 2013 Audi A7 BiTDi

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Mikeyay » Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:46 pm

There is a sticker on side of my gearbox saying do not drain, lifetime oil or something like....2.5si 6 speed. Does this sound about right??
2.5si Sport Titan Silver

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by ph001 » Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:47 pm

£24.98 for 5 litres inc delivery.... http://r.ebay.com/tBhVRP
2007 E85 Z4 3.0Si manual :driving:
19" CSL's | Eibach Springs | Aeroskirts | Z4M front bumper | Clear brake light | ZHP | RCH+| Stubby

2004 E46 M3 coupe manual - gone but not forgotten.

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mr wilks
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by mr wilks » Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:56 pm

Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pmJust spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pmJust spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Big Millers fan here & that's the stuff ive always used , their engine oil also worth considering :thumbsup:
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
5 Si coupes
5 Si roadsters
997 C4
TTRS
F82 M4
MK7 Golf Gti
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Magicarcher » Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:04 pm

Mikeyay wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:46 pmThere is a sticker on side of my gearbox saying do not drain, lifetime oil or something like....2.5si 6 speed. Does this sound about right??
BMW have this thing about changing oil as infrequently as possible, hence their 18-20k for engine oil changes and their lifetime transmission and diff oil policy. I read somewhere that it comes from "green" pressure in their domestic market and competitors doing the same (must confess I never validated it). I am sure they have life tested their transmissions without oil change and they are fine. But my take is oils deteriorate with age due to the high temperatures they encounter combined with particles of mechanical debris that are inevitable due to wear. If you are the sort of person that changes your car frequently it is probably best to stick to BMWs recommendation. But if you plan on keeping the car longer, then changing the oil (providing you stick to the same spec) can do no harm and the transmission may be smoother and last longer. I changed the "lifetime" transmission oil on my BMW Mini at 50k and the gearchange appeared smoother.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by mjennings23 » Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:41 pm

Used the same myself and find it excellent once warmed up a bit. Still a bit stiff on the cold mornings however, but 10 minutes driving and it's perfect.

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Mikeyay » Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:42 pm

Magicarcher wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:04 pm
Mikeyay wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:46 pmThere is a sticker on side of my gearbox saying do not drain, lifetime oil or something like....2.5si 6 speed. Does this sound about right??
BMW have this thing about changing oil as infrequently as possible, hence their 18-20k for engine oil changes and their lifetime transmission and diff oil policy. I read somewhere that it comes from "green" pressure in their domestic market and competitors doing the same (must confess I never validated it). I am sure they have life tested their transmissions without oil change and they are fine. But my take is oils deteriorate with age due to the high temperatures they encounter combined with particles of mechanical debris that are inevitable due to wear. If you are the sort of person that changes your car frequently it is probably best to stick to BMWs recommendation. But if you plan on keeping the car longer, then changing the oil (providing you stick to the same spec) can do no harm and the transmission may be smoother and last longer. I changed the "lifetime" transmission oil on my BMW Mini at 50k and the gearchange appeared smoother.
My thoughts also, mine has just clocked 80k and I plan on changing it.
Cheers!
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Digidick » Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:52 pm

mr wilks wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:56 pm
Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pmJust spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pmJust spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Big Millers fan here & that's the stuff ive always used , their engine oil also worth considering :thumbsup:
It was you that made me choose Millers, found an old post of yours. :thumbsup:
Current Z4 - 2007 E85 3.0Si

Daily Motor - 2013 Audi A7 BiTDi

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by mr wilks » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:07 pm

Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:52 pm
mr wilks wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:56 pm
Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pmJust spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Digidick wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 5:43 pmJust spent 30mins changing the gearbox oil on my 2003 2.5 E85 and it’s well worth the time and £22 as it now feels much smoother and the 1st to 2nd change is much improved.

I used Millers 75w-80 TRX Fully Synthetic and it took around 1.1ltrs.
Big Millers fan here & that's the stuff ive always used , their engine oil also worth considering :thumbsup:
It was you that made me choose Millers, found an old post of yours. :thumbsup:
Well the 120k Si coupe i recently bought appears very well maintained but once on the road next month will be getting the full fluid change to Millers ( engine , gearbox + diff ) that along with fresh coolant + brake fluid is all you can do to prep the car for the next 50k/100k miles A small investment & better done as pre-emptive routine maintenance rather than trying to cure later on
3 ZMRs
3 E89s
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997 C4
TTRS
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Digidick
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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Digidick » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:55 pm

mjennings23 wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:41 pmUsed the same myself and find it excellent once warmed up a bit. Still a bit stiff on the cold mornings however, but 10 minutes driving and it's perfect.
Yep that’s it, spot on.
Current Z4 - 2007 E85 3.0Si

Daily Motor - 2013 Audi A7 BiTDi

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Manual Gearbox Oil Changed- Well worth it!

Post by Digidick » Tue Feb 20, 2018 8:57 pm

ph001 wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2018 6:47 pmhttp://r.ebay.com/tBhVRP
Bugger! Good find that although I still have 900ml that I’ll probably never use let alone 3.9ltrs :D
Current Z4 - 2007 E85 3.0Si

Daily Motor - 2013 Audi A7 BiTDi

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