BMW 330i / Ci / Cic ZHP (E46 2003 - 2006) Automatic Transmission Reliability

[MrMaico]

Pretty sure you'd need one of these tools for the trans cooler lines....

http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...FYpxQgodrkcALg

[diverse]

Since I am Getting an Automatic zhp I am very interested in how the automatics fair

Apparently they do pretty well. my car will have 78k when I get it.

Judging by this post I will have my shop change the fluids when I get it.

When service records indicate that fluids were changed do you think they mean ATF fluid as well?

[WOLFN8TR]

BMW considers the Tranny fluid to be lifetime so probably not. Lifetime is usually the length of the factory warranty from what I've read. I bought my ZHP with 98K, did my tranny fluid at 112K and it was nasty!. I have 125K now and so far so good. Every once in a while under high rev it hesitates to shift, it did this before and after the fluid change.

[Mtnman]

Mine did what Gary's does. All the way from 114k to 170k+. Seemed to hold a gear a half second long on occasion, but it did that the whole time. With 78k, get it. Replace the fluid. If you have the time or $ replace it again 10k later ( if it concerns you) and then be happy for another 100k. (With regular 30 to 40k changes)

[Snuffalufigus]

I am curious to see if anyone with a Step has had any issues yet? I am coming up on 150K and no problems yet! (knock on wood)

[egiles14]

Here's my personal experience... The '01 325i that I sold to my sister-in-law made it to 196k miles without ever having a fluid change, when the front pump seal in the ZF automatic failed. It never had a single hiccup and shifted perfectly until that occurred. We luckily found a used ZF transmission (with unknown mileage) for only $300. We did a full fluid change before install and its doing great so far.

My recently purchased '04 ZHP has the GM automatic with 128k miles. I plan to do a filter and fluid change soon, and I don't have any records showing a fluid change previously. It still shifts perfectly so far...

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[johnrando]

No issues yet, knock on wood.

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[papa_g]

Reviving old thread. My cooler line is leaking; the one that takes atf from the tranny to the cooler. Has anyone switched out this line before? I can't seem to find any DIYs out there. If you've done it, would you say it is easy enough with the car on jack stands, or should i go rent a lift somewhere?
Also, seems like the method of pumping new atf through the cooler lines is more of a flush than a drain and fill. Some people say flushes are bad on higher mileage trannys that havent had their atf changed. Thoughts?

[Dave1027]

Should be able to do the job with jackstands.

Also, seems like the method of pumping new atf through the cooler lines is more of a flush than a drain and fill. Some people say flushes are bad on higher mileage trannys that havent had their atf changed. Thoughts?

That's really an old wives tale. Plus the "flush" that the tale describes is done with a high pressure machine. Not simply pumping new fluid in. Pumping in new fluid via the cooler lines is actually the best method because you can replace all of the fluid as opposed to a drain and fill which only replaces 50 to 75%.

[papa_g]

Should be able to do the job with jackstands.



That's really an old wives tale. Plus the "flush" that the tale describes is done with a high pressure machine. Not simply pumping new fluid in. Pumping in new fluid via the cooler lines is actually the best method because you can replace all of the fluid as opposed to a drain and fill which only replaces 50 to 75%.

cool bro, looks like i will be pumping through the cooler, since I will be removing the line anyway!