ExtremeBean 0 Report post Posted September 8, 2015 Hi, new here. Looking to buy an E34 540i soon enough, just want to know a few things about the transmission. What does this switch do? No one has answered this properly for me haha Would that switch change the way the car shifts? I drove one with a faded screen (so i didn't know what options i had pushed...) and after fiddling with that button it shifted weird. I am aware that's a terrible description but hey us non-BMW natives gotta start somewhere. I have heard the transmissions are filled with a lifelong fluid - is this true? How long do they usually last in a well-maintained example. I've heard mixed opinions, some saying they're strong, some saying they're the achilles heel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted September 8, 2015 sports , ecnomy and snow (manual) mode trans switch car always starts off in ecno mode . change the oil and filter about every 50,000km trans will last way longer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my_e36 43 Report post Posted September 9, 2015 Snow mode the car starts off in second gear to reduce likelihood of wheel spin. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tawa 150 Report post Posted September 15, 2015 As above. I often use snow mode to avoid the 1st to 2nd gear jatco jerk, under 100kkms and tranny oil really needs changing. Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoKer 58 Report post Posted September 15, 2015 (edited) now see ithought it was sports? in my E34, tho tha is a LHD car could be different? only has A [top] or S [bottom] no E differnt? Edited September 15, 2015 by JoKer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted September 15, 2015 the later e34 v8 used the A and S option only auto adaptive trans and sports mode no manual or snow mode Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
