XSeries-forum

Hi everyone!

I just bought a 2004 3.0d X5, with approximately 80K miles on the clock (135k Kms). Overall, the car seems fine, the gearbox shifts well without any strange noises when going from P to D or R to D or any other combination.

I have read (and still am reading) extensively on the transmission problems on these cars, being that this is one of the biggest fears I have regarding it's ownership.

After all the reading, I know this question has been asked many times, but I still haven't got to a conclusion on whether I should go ahead and change the transmission filter and fluid or not. I have no info on previous oil changes to the gearbox, so I'll assume it was never done.

Should I just go ahead and change it, or should I have an specialist check the level and smell/quality of the oil inside and go from there?

Thank you very much in advance!

Chances are that it has never been done.

Unfortunately it is one of those decisions you need to make yourself.  A condition check won’t do any harm, and if the oil is still very clean then there is a better chance that all will be well after a change.

If it is discoloured and has a burnt smell then the risk is that much higher.  There is no hard and fast rule or universal guidance.

Your decision  to make.

If it werE mine & if mikeage genuine then I would get it changed but only if done by someone who knows how to do it properly....I mean in accordance with box manufacturer instructions.

[quote="Dbp"]
Hi everyone!

I just bought a 2004 3.0d X5, with approximately 80K miles on the clock (135k Kms). Overall, the car seems fine, the gearbox shifts well without any strange noises when going from P to D or R to D or any other combination.

I have read (and still am reading) extensively on the transmission problems on these cars, being that this is one of the biggest fears I have regarding it's ownership.

After all the reading, I know this question has been asked many times, but I still haven't got to a conclusion on whether I should go ahead and change the transmission filter and fluid or not. I have no info on previous oil changes to the gearbox, so I'll assume it was never done.

Should I just go ahead and change it, or should I have an specialist check the level and smell/quality of the oil inside and go from there?

Thank you very much in advance!
[/quote]

We simply cannot make that call one your behalf.I know gearboxes that have gone at a younger mileages than yours, yet I can equally tell you that mine has never been done and Im at 253,000 miles (yes you read that right). No doubt mine will pack up later today.

It's your call.

Smee

For the ‘early’ ones mine went at 38,000 miles with no warning at all.