DCT fluid change ? Yes / No ?

[LordLolzeye]

I've changed the transmission oil today (+filters & oil pan). It was completly black, pretty beaten up I might add. The oil was never changed since the car got manufactured (in 2011, it was written on the bottom of the oil pan :d).

I will start recommending people to change their transmission oil as my car shifts way better now, it just looks like she's happy somebody took care of her. (I'm also planning on changing the rear differential oils as well - why not, it's not expensive & it might prolongue it's life).

 

[mr wilks]

Just looked back through the invoice history I was lucky enough to inherit, warranty job done to replace g/box sump pan, 3 years/20K miles ago. Result, don't need to touch again

I missed that one though unless there is a figure of oil litres it wouldn't guarantee the oil had been changed

 

[mcbutler]

If it's fine leave it, top up if necessary.
If you change oil and you have any baulk (synchro) ring wear on the selectors you may get gear change snags.

 

[mcbutler]

Just looked back through the invoice history I was lucky enough to inherit, warranty job done to replace g/box sump pan, 3 years/20K miles ago. Result, don't need to touch again

I missed that one though unless there is a figure of oil litres it wouldn't guarantee the oil had been changed

would be a lot easier to replace oil than try and get the old stuff back in..

 

[Nictrix]

(I'm also planning on changing the rear differential oils as well - why not, it's not expensive & it might prolongue it's life).

Not sure if this is on all E89 models but ours was in for an MOT and service today and I asked about getting the diff oil changed and after they looked at it they said it couldnt be done as there is no drain plug. There is a fill plug but no drain plug and the only way to change the oil would be to remove the diff and drain the oil from the fill plug.

 

[Cees Klumper]

There are vacuum oil change tools that will suck out the old oil through the fill plug. Used a lot in the boating world due to lack of access underneath engines there. For example:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bavarian-autosport-parts/oil-extractor-10-liter-inserts-into-dip-stick-tube-bavarian-autosport/b8800001~bav/

 

[LordLolzeye]

(I'm also planning on changing the rear differential oils as well - why not, it's not expensive & it might prolongue it's life).

Not sure if this is on all E89 models but ours was in for an MOT and service today and I asked about getting the diff oil changed and after they looked at it they said it couldnt be done as there is no drain plug. There is a fill plug but no drain plug and the only way to change the oil would be to remove the diff and drain the oil from the fill plug.

Well, guess im just going to ask if it's possible without taking the rear diff off the car. I'll be back with info :d, thanks!

 

[acm]

I just spoke to the Indie BMW specialist in Reading - had a good discussion about the merits of replacing DCT and diff oil.

They appeared to have a good grasp of what was needed to do, but the summary of the call was that 'for life' means 100k miles, so if all seems ok then wait until I reach that milestone. They'll give me a view on anything they find when it's dropped off for the software and maps upgrade, but assuming all seems ok they will leave alone.

Thanks for all the terrific feedback and input... I'm still torn, but I can now contemplate for another 20k miles

Cheers!
Andy