07 BMW X5 E70 3.0d transmission fluid

[david2047]

Originally Posted by ltemup4650

David,

I use Valvoline MaxLife. Others swear by ZF Lifeguard 6 and ZF Lifeguard 8. For what it's worth, the Valvoline MaxLife works great for me. They (Valvoline) list it as being compatible. An updated compatibility list from Valvoline lists the 6HP and 8HP trans. Here is the fluid:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Valvoline...allon/15125768

IMPORTANT!!! For the pan/filter, definitely use the ZF one. I bought an aftermarket one and the filter neck/o-ring was manufactured too small. This caused erratic shifting on turns as the fluid sloshed away from the valve body's intake. I wrote a recent thread on this. Here is the ZF one:

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog..._pg2.htm#item4

Cheers mate
What brand of oil pan you bought?

[ltemup4650]

NOTE: I have the 8HP and you have the 6HP, so, this one wouldn't fit for you anyway. It was just a warning to go with ZF on this particular part.
The aftermarket one was KM Premium.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[haigha]

Originally Posted by ard

...

I am sure there are fluids that will work, many report wonderful results. But a report after a few days isnt what Id call a definitive report. There was one guy that came back in a year and said 'no issues'.

...

My first drain and fill was July 10 of last year.

Several weeks of driving before doing each of the two subsequent ones.

I had read of more than one long term success before choosing MaxLife.

Lots of opinions and it's definitely safer going with the ZF fluid. For me it was worth the risk going with the less expensive solution on my then almost 16 year old n62 4.4i.

I bought the OE pan and filter kit and mechatronic sleeve from FCP Euro.

[ard]

Originally Posted by haigha

My first drain and fill was July 10 of last year.

Several weeks of driving before doing each of the two subsequent ones.

I had read of more than one long term success before choosing MaxLife.

Lots of opinions and it's definitely safer going with the ZF fluid. For me it was worth the risk going with the less expensive solution on my then almost 16 year old n62 4.4i.

I bought the OE pan and filter kit and mechatronic sleeve from FCP Euro.

Nothing to disagree with here.



My issue- and perhaps I am being obsessive- is around the whole issue of 'a spec', 'a recommendation' and how fluid salesmen play games with words to make people think they are buying the right fluids.


Here is a statement I think reflects the truth:


"The only fluid recommenced by BMW or ZF is the ZF6 fluid. And while that fluid does meet SOME specs, there is no one published spec that completely defines 'a ZF6 equivalent fluid'. As a result, other fluids that are 'recommended for' or 'designed to meet' a ZF6 use are not clearly, provably equivalent.


(Note: If ZF6 meets ABC123, and another fluid also meets ABC123, you cannot say "therefore that other fluid is equal to ZF6")

There are, likely, many choices for fluid that will do the trick. Any many have a history of use. If you feel the risk of this choice is acceptable, and it is likely very low (and may be non-existent) go for it"

[david2047]

Originally Posted by haigha

My first drain and fill was July 10 of last year.

Several weeks of driving before doing each of the two subsequent ones.

I had read of more than one long term success before choosing MaxLife.

Lots of opinions and it's definitely safer going with the ZF fluid. For me it was worth the risk going with the less expensive solution on my then almost 16 year old n62 4.4i.

I bought the OE pan and filter kit and mechatronic sleeve from FCP Euro.

wow, 16 year old n62 4.4i.
How is that?
Is it still running good?
Any oil leak?
Do you service the car yourself?

Mine is 13 year old E70 3.0d
Bought it 5 months ago,
Lots of oil leak and poor fuel consumption
I'm trying to fix it myself now
Do you have any tips for taking care of old X5?
Cheers mate

[david2047]

Originally Posted by ard

Nothing to disagree with here.



My issue- and perhaps I am being obsessive- is around the whole issue of 'a spec', 'a recommendation' and how fluid salesmen play games with words to make people think they are buying the right fluids.


Here is a statement I think reflects the truth:


"The only fluid recommenced by BMW or ZF is the ZF6 fluid. And while that fluid does meet SOME specs, there is no one published spec that completely defines 'a ZF6 equivalent fluid'. As a result, other fluids that are 'recommended for' or 'designed to meet' a ZF6 use are not clearly, provably equivalent.


(Note: If ZF6 meets ABC123, and another fluid also meets ABC123, you cannot say "therefore that other fluid is equal to ZF6")

There are, likely, many choices for fluid that will do the trick. Any many have a history of use. If you feel the risk of this choice is acceptable, and it is likely very low (and may be non-existent) go for it"

Cheers mate

[Mark044]

Most of the Brisbane/Aussie taxis with the Ford Falcon with the same transmission use the Nulon ATF. You can buy it in 20 litre containers from Supercheap. I have been doing the same with my X5 30sd. I did the first change with new pan and seals then followed up 5000km later with just a fluid only change. It is very smooth and the taxi operators change it at 100000km. I will only go for 60000km.

[haigha]

Originally Posted by david2047

wow, 16 year old n62 4.4i.
How is that?
Is it still running good?
Any oil leak?
Do you service the car yourself?

Mine is 13 year old E70 3.0d
Bought it 5 months ago,
Lots of oil leak and poor fuel consumption
I'm trying to fix it myself now
Do you have any tips for taking care of old X5?
Cheers mate

It will be 17 in October. I've only put about 42k miles on the clock since buying it in October 2003. Among the first N62s built. Runs great.

I've never added oil between annual changes. The biggest issue so far was tracking down a problem with the alternator and replacing it. The original alternator part# was replaced by a newly designed one that made it easier to get both out and back in.

I have a friend who has worked on the car since I got it. I met him at the local BMW dealer in 1989 when he was the master mechanic there and I had an injector problem with my then few month old E30 325i. For the past 25 years or so we have done most of the work together. I have learned to do some things by myself.

Advice: Do lots of research before attempting anything. This site is a great resource for that. Find a good indie mechanic for the things that are beyond your capability.

[david2047]

Originally Posted by haigha

It will be 17 in October. I've only put about 42k miles on the clock since buying it in October 2003. Among the first N62s built. Runs great.

I've never added oil between annual changes. The biggest issue so far was tracking down a problem with the alternator and replacing it. The original alternator part# was replaced by a newly designed one that made it easier to get both out and back in.

I have a friend who has worked on the car since I got it. I met him at the local BMW dealer in 1989 when he was the master mechanic there and I had an injector problem with my then few month old E30 325i. For the past 25 years or so we have done most of the work together. I have learned to do some things by myself.

Advice: Do lots of research before attempting anything. This site is a great resource for that. Find a good indie mechanic for the things that are beyond your capability.

Nice!
Thanks for sharing
That's so good to have a friend that know much about car