E53 3.0d gearbox oil change

[Roryb1985]

Morning all, I am wanting to do gearbox oil change on my x5 with 180k on it but I went to check the clutch’s on diagnostic and e clutch is showing 750 which is at it max. The car has no running issues so do you thing it will be safe to change or just leave it

[Alan Gunn]

Oil and filter was changed on mine at 164k and still silky smooth now and that was 2 or 3 years ago.

[Leslie]

I'd be inclined to leave it at this stage other than top it up if low on oil. It's a tricky call.

[X5Sport]

If a sample of the oil is dirty or smells ‘burnt’ (both of which indicate wear and clutch slip already happening) then changing it could flush all of the dirt out of the system and could result in a rebuild as the clutches then slip. You might however have no issues after a change. As above it’s a hard call.

[Alan Gunn]

From memory the people that had problems after changing the oil and filter had done it because they where starting to have problems with the auto box.
As said i had no problems with mine and thought it was smooth but after the oil change it was silky smooth didn't think i would have felt any difference but i did.
Like others say it's your call.

[Themoog2]

Doing the tranny service is defo the way to go. Do it twice. First time with new filter. Second time a week or so later just drain and refill. New fluid is better than old fluid. Debris causing problems after a service is nonsense in my opinion. If that was the case then nothing would be serviceable.
I did mine at 140k no probs. You don’t need any special tools to measure trans temp - just put your hand on the sump when it’s running and if it’s hot then that’s the time to check the level.
Only last week I was talking with a zf transmission expert and he said they are really good units. It’s the lack of service that ruins them. I mentioned the original fluid for the trans ( can’t remember what it’s called) as I used Comma multi vehicle plus fluid and he said that original fluid viscosity is too thin for higher mileage transmissions. Who knew.

[X5Sport]

Lifeguard is the ZF fluid.

[Themoog2]

I knew that. I just forgot..