If you don't have a problem with it just leave it. but you could do it, just make sure there isn't other things broken, because i was having a problem with my mechatronic leaking and took the car to my mechanic to get fix. He called me back telling there was another problem. he told me the at plug adapter was bad to so also had to get that fix for another 30bucks. so theres nothing really the car is going to change cause the transmission fluid last for life in these cars but its your own risk.

 

so theres nothing really the car is going to change cause the transmission fluid last for life in these cars but its your own risk.

The definition of lifetime filling for those trannies is actually slightly different than what it may seem: The filling lasts for the lifetime of the transmission, not the car. That would be somewhere between 80k and twice or three times that, if you are lucky. The rest of the car could last _somewhat_ longer, though.

I had a Mercedes tranny die on me at 120k-ish, even though I changed the lifetime fluid at around 90k. That was a pretty uncomfortable feeling, being trapped by programmed obsolescence!

Do change that fluid, and do not believe anyone who tells you you don't need to! The same goes for the differential(s) and transfer case, if equipped.

 

Food for thought: The M- sleeve is under $20 bucks. If it does happen to leak again, you have to take all that Shi* apart again and drain the fluid. So, whats another $20 bucks for the M-sleeve? I guess it's a roll of the dice with this situation. I understand you only have 50K on the "new" M-sleeve. These BMW cars are NUTS. German engineering? Really? Why on earth would you have to change the diff fluid AND brake fluid under 100K? I cannot understand that concept. My 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T had the factory diff fluid & brake fluid OVER 100K and I was RACING IT ! Nothing like Penzoil 90W in the diff! Some of this ***** is hard to believe........

 

My 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T had the factory diff fluid & brake fluid OVER 100K and I was RACING IT ! Nothing like Penzoil 90W in the diff! Some of this ***** is hard to believe........

That was the olden days with cars that were hard to kill, ran on anything from molten butter to ricinus oil, and the only maintenance they needed after 100k miles was a new piece of electrical tape over the check engine light. Hold on! They did not even need that -- for lack of a check engine light...

I still prefer the slightly more composed ride and the subtly more powerful takeoff in my modern car. Increased creature comforts are a welcome side-effect.

 

Just change the sleeve, better be safe than sorry and end up paying for all that labor all over again. Bring everything back to zero miles and start over. This way it is better to track as well....

my 2cents

Javvy

 

So guys, the Trans fluid should be changed at 50K. Don't follow the BMW schedule. I neglected to do that but but late than never I suppose. I have a new mechatronic sleeve, but just did not want to hassle with the replacement because i have read it's a PITA. My thinking is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but that line of thinking may be flawed. I thought I read somewhere that the replacement sleeves were re-engineered and should last. The old ones had orange o-rings, the new ones are black. If that is the case, I should be good with what's in there.

javvy, I do my own work so the cost of labor is simply my time in the garage (and the beer to go with it )

At this point my strategy is, if I get in there and it's leaking, I will fix it. Otherwise I will wait till it leaks. I might regret it if the damn thing starts leaking in a month, but will roll the dice.

Man, I remember my old '68 Ford. We didn't know better than to change the fluids in those things. They drove like sh** though. Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years. It is prone to take on moisture and will deteriorate your system, and will boil at a lower temp.

Diff Fluid and Trans fluid every 50K. It's not a lifetime product, unless your definition of lifetime is 130K. I hope I have not waited too long on my Trans, otherwise, I will be forking over 4K in 30K miles.

 

.....I have a new mechatronic sleeve, but just did not want to hassle with the replacement because i have read it's a PITA. My thinking is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ....

I am a turned DIY'r at the hands of mechanics. When I did my first tranny oil change, I bought the sleeve, attempted to do it, then chicken out cause there is no room. Since then, I have changed the tranny oil 3-4 times (forgot the exact count) and every time I build the gutts to change the sleeve that is sitting with me for 2 years now, but every time I crawl under the car and try to reach the connector, something inside me SHOUTS, "FORGET ABOUT IT". My sleeve is slightly leaking, but I can't reach it. You will even find posts here of mine where people have attempted to tell me to use a long nose plier, but that tight space just gives me the shiver. If you end up doing it, can you give me the exact steps

 

Good Evening, I'm curious. What did you end up doing with the mechatronics sleeve?

 

If that Q is directed at me, then I have left the original sleeve in, since I could not get to it.