What Oil do i need for my Transmission

[tomgtv]

I have 219,000 miles on my 2001 X5 3.0L which I bought new.

You cannot get all the fluid out of it anyways. Multiple flushes
is difficult.

BMW says don't change it........my experience proves it......Tranny
works perfectly..........now the rest of the car has had just about
every other part replaced......

My .02!

[Multibeemer]

After reading through dozens of posts on the topic, the consensus appears to be that a good quality Dexron VI ATF is the best choice. But I have a question - since you can't get anywhere near all of the oil out of the tranny during a flush, is there any possibility of incompatibility between the Dex VI and whatever fluid was put in the tranny at the factory (mine is a 2003 4.4 with 78K miles)? Thanks.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Multibeemer

After reading through dozens of posts on the topic, the consensus appears to be that a good quality Dexron VI ATF is the best choice. But I have a question - since you can't get anywhere near all of the oil out of the tranny during a flush, is there any possibility of incompatibility between the Dex VI and whatever fluid was put in the tranny at the factory (mine is a 2003 4.4 with 78K miles)? Thanks.

The Dexron VI posts you are reading talk about Dexron VI replacing Dexron III, which was the recommended fluid in the GM transmission used in the 3.0. You have a 4.4, and thus a ZF transmission. Read the label on the transmission to see what fluid is recommended for your specific vehicle by BMW.

You will get about half of the fluid out by draining the pan and filter, leaving the fluid in the torque converter, lines, and cooler.

Since you will be combining the two fluids 50:50, it is always best to use the same fluid. If you use a fluid that meets the spec, you should be fine.

[Multibeemer]

Originally Posted by JCL

The Dexron VI posts you are reading talk about Dexron VI replacing Dexron III, which was the recommended fluid in the GM transmission used in the 3.0. You have a 4.4, and thus a ZF transmission. Read the label on the transmission to see what fluid is recommended for your specific vehicle by BMW.

You will get about half of the fluid out by draining the pan and filter, leaving the fluid in the torque converter, lines, and cooler.

Since you will be combining the two fluids 50:50, it is always best to use the same fluid. If you use a fluid that meets the spec, you should be fine.

Thanks; somehow I missed that. OK, I'll be under the car today removing the thrust arms (aka front/lower control arms), so I'll take a look. Hopefully the label on the transmission will be easy to find and read, and will make sense. All this talk about Audi/VW Esso fluid, vs. BMW-specific, with the Dexron discussion thrown in the mix, sure is confusing

[Multibeemer]

OK, I had my car up in the air to pull my thrust arms (aka front control arms) to replace their bushings (a very easy job - nothing whatsoever to fear - a very easy DIY), I checked out the label on my transmission. It is indeed a ZF, as it should be for a V8, and it says to use BMW Part No. 83229407807 transmission fluid. Sounds expensive. How would I go about determining the specs on this particular fluid, and whether their is an equivalent or better, but less costly, fluid that meets the same specs?

Edit: I just looked at the DIY for the V8 transmission flush, and it recommends using ESSO ATF LT 71141 or VW G-052-162-A2, so I assume these meet or exceed the specs of the BMW ATF. Are they less expensive, or is there some other reason for using either of these over the BMW fluid? I also assume they must be compatible with the BMW ATF.

Thanks.

[Rockmelon]

Originally Posted by tomgtv

I have 219,000 miles on my 2001 X5 3.0L which I bought new.

You cannot get all the fluid out of it anyways. Multiple flushes
is difficult.

BMW says don't change it........my experience proves it......Tranny
works perfectly..........now the rest of the car has had just about
every other part replaced......

My .02!

so you have not changed the tranny fluid for 219k miles? no prob at all?