I changed my auto transmission fluid today, 88k miles, first time. I used the info from several threads here. A few notes that I hadn't seen (or didn't remember seeing):

1. Dropping the oil pan is not easy. I didn't jack up the transmission (if that is an option), I drilled a second hole through the round frame extension (3rd picture with screwdriver in existing frame hole). You will want to get a long (at least 3") T40 torx bit. There is a corner bolt in the oil pan that is only about 1/2" above the round tube of the chassis, and this one is torx headed instead of 10mm hex. After drilling this hole and removing the bolt, I then pulled the pan without much trouble.

2. I got just over 3 1/2 quarts of fluid out after dropping the pan and replacing the filter. Fluid was not pretty (no smell, but cinnamon red/brown). One thing that was interesting is that the bung that the drain plug (and plastic stand pipe) is pretty high above the bottom of the pan. Also notice in the second picture that there is some sparkle in the bottom of the pan, and the two magnets are dirty, as would be expected.

3. I found some interesting hardware, pic #1. The drain plug is an M10x1.0 thread. McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) has an adapter going from M10 to 1/8 NPT (item 4936k153), and then I got a 1/8" valve and 1/8" NPT to 3/8 hose adapter to match the hose on my pressure fill pump.

Basically, I spent about 2-1/2 hours doing this (from draining to warming up and checking the level). Next time will be less than an hour if I don't drop the pan, or an additional 10 minutes to drop and clean the pan).

Based on what I saw in the pan, I think that everyone should drop the pan at least once to clean it out.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Nice job! I also agree with you on dropping the pan at least once. I honestly have to say I have never seen ATF that color before. The few I have done for others always looked dark red/brown color. Never the color you have.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping that I'm not too late changing this. the trans feels good, I figure that I'll give it a few thousand and then drain again.

Mike

 

I keep doing a partial drain and refill with my oil changes. My indie car garage has learned to do it efficiently. Think I should do the pan too someday? I wonder what the cost/benefit is on this...

 

IMO the benefit to dropping the pan is too change the filter and clean the pan of metal shavings that collect at the bottom of the pan and on the magnets. In all reality this only needs to be done once. From there you could just change the ATF.

 

Looks like you were panning for gold with those chunks of metal, you should have drain and changed your transmission fluid at 30k miles instead of 88k! The manual transmissions probably every 30-50k miles depending on how hard you drive your Mini. Another reason why "lifetime oil" for your transmission should be abolished, can you imagine those chunks of metal flowing through your transmission!

The transmission oil must have started failing long ago for metal shavings like that to appear. Before say anything else, Mini dealerships are now stocking BMW's MTF LT4 75W90 transmission oil which is 20% more viscous (thicker) than any (even MT-90) 75W90 oil, that's what Dave told me at Redline oil. Would you believe my Mini dealer charges $18 for only half a quart!

I ordered 1.32 gallons of BMW's MTF LT4 75W90 from ESC Tuning for $137.