Lifetime oil? Why?

[JustWantAclassic]

Assuming you've got the standard 5/6 speed auto rather than the SMG box then it's in the oil pan on the bottom of the gearbox. It's a standard ZF 5HP19 used in many didn't different cars so there must be a million DIY videos and guides on the web

I do have the infamous SMG

 

[smorris_12]

I do have the infamous SMG

In that case no filters to worry about.

 

[JustWantAclassic]

In that case no filters to worry about

Okay, won't worry about that then.

I thought smg was the only gearbox out for the e85. I'm from America though, and I'm not sure where you're from but in america we call them "slapstick" or "paddle shift" and despite searching for a true automatic transmission I could not find one for sale in all of the United States. So assumed SMG was the only option.

That's kind of why I made my name on this forum what it is, there are not many Z's in the US and I have fingers crossed for value increases in the west (plus they're pretty)

After being here a minute, finding out that there are manual and automatic gearboxes has me amazed.

 

[smorris_12]

I thought smg was the only gearbox out for the e85. I'm from America though, and I'm not sure where you're from but in america we call them "slapstick" or "paddle shift" and despite searching for a true automatic transmission I could not find one for sale in all of the United States. So assumed SMG was the only option.

It's time to broaden your horizons! Check out Wikipedia and look up the E85 Z4. It will give you chapter and verse on a fair few bits and bobs. It's not perfect by a long chalk but, no matter what the topic, will always have something to say.

I struggle to believe they didn't sell the standard auto in America as the SMG was never highly regarded. Every engine and box combination in a Z had already been long used by BMW and all production was just down the road in South Carolina. If nothing else, not selling a straight auto in the US would surely be a suicidal move.

 

[JustWantAclassic]

not selling a straight auto in the US would surely be a suicidal move.

The people who had them probably clung on to them is my guess. I had heard there were other options but never actually saw any. If my gearbox goes out, I'll be hunting down a traditional automatic replacement.

 

[Beesza]

I changed my e86 diff and gbox oil at 135k. The box felt noticeably smoother in low gears. I expect this is because I put in more oil than came oil. I filled it until it overflowed from the fill plug. I put in the recommended total volume but there would still be some old oil in there as I couldn’t remove it all will a pump via the fill plug.

I’d recommend doing both if you are a DIY’er or you have a notchy gearbox otherwise it’s not worth it.

 

[JustWantAclassic]

I changed my e86 diff and gbox oil at 135k. The box felt noticeably smoother in low gears. I expect this is because I put in more oil than came oil. I filled it until it overflowed from the fill plug. I put in the recommended total volume but there would still be some old oil in there as I couldn’t remove it all will a pump via the fill plug.

I’d recommend doing both if you are a DIY’er or you have a notchy gearbox otherwise it’s not worth it.

I'm more or less just a very picky automotive technician.

I don't have a service manual and Mitchell pro demand doesn't show which fluids to use for the dif and gearbox. Do you have the smg and if you do what fluid did you use?