Let's talk Transmission Maintenance...

[TiminIndy]

I can't believe I just read this entire thread! I still own an `06 E53 3.0, but plan to get an `11 E70 35i eventually (considering offering on one I test drove last week w/ 77K miles). I've done this procedure on my E53, so I thought I would look into the parts and procedures for the ZF 8 speed. The procedure is about the same, other than the ZF has the filter integrated into a plastic pan!


I've read different opinions on using the ZF Lifeguard 8 vs. other fluids that meet spec. I saw the long list of cars that use the ZF 8 so I decided to look at what FCA was recommending for the `12 Charger. I came across something on the Charger forum for QuantumBlue ZF 8 fluid, from BND Automotive. Their rep swears up and down that it is better than the Lifeguard for this application - and cheaper (looks like it was $14.95/qt in 2014). I haven't seen anyone mention the Quantum Blue on here, so I thought I would mention it and see if anyone has used it or has an opinion.


Post from BND rep on Charger forum:

8 speed transmission fluid replacement........ - Dodge Charger Forums

Windy testimonial from BND site:

QuantumBlue Products « BND Automotive

The list of cars using variants of the ZF 8HP is rather long:

ZF 8HP45 (a separate 845RE is for V6 Chryslers): BMW 1 Series (F20), BMW 2 Series M235i (F22), BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 5 Series (F10/F11), BMW X3 (F25), BMW X4 (F26), BMW X5 35i (E70), BMW X5 (F15), BMW X6 (F16), Chrysler 300 V6, Chrysler 300 C, Dodge Charger V6, RAM 1500 V6 (2013- ), Jaguar XE, Lancia Thema V6, Volkswagen Amarok

Full list of all w/ ZF 8HP variants (how many of these are recommending ATF that costs $22 a liter?):

Alfa Romeo:
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alpina:
Alpina D3
Alpina D4
Alpina B3
Alpina B4
Alpina XD3
Alpina D5
Alpina B5
Alpina B6
Alpina B7
Aston Martin:
Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2019)
Aston Martin DB11[11]
Audi:
Audi A4 North American version
Audi A5 North American version
Audi A6
Audi A7
Audi A8
Audi Q5 8AT version
Audi Q7
Bentley:
Bentley Mulsanne (2010)
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2013)
BMW:
BMW 1 Series
BMW 2 Series
BMW 3 Series
BMW 4 Series
BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 GT
BMW 6 Series
BMW 7 series
BMW X1 (First Generation)
BMW X3
BMW X4
BMW X5
BMW X6
BMW Z4
Chrysler:
Chrysler 300 V6 (2012+ MY), V8 (2015+ MY)
3.6 (845RE)
5.7 (8HP70)
Dodge:
Dodge Challenger (2015+ MY)
3.6 (845RE)
5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)
6.2 (8HP90)
Dodge Charger
3.6, 2012+ MY, 845RE
V8 (2015+ MY; 5.7, 6.4 8HP70; 6.2 8HP90)
Dodge Durango (2014 MY+)
3.6 (845RE)
5.7 (8HP70)
Haval:
H9 (2018-)
Iveco:
Iveco Daily 2014-on
Jaguar:
F-Type
F-Pace
XE
XF (2012-)
XFR (2012-)
XJ
Jeep:
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (2014 MY+)
3.6 (845RE)
3.0, 5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)
6.2 Supercharged (8HP95)
Lamborghini:
Lamborghini Urus
Lancia:
Thema V6
Land Rover:
Discovery 4/LR4
Range Rover
Range Rover Sport
Maserati:
Maserati Ghibli III
Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati Levante
Ram Trucks:
Ram 1500 3.6 L V6 (2013 MY+)
Ram 1500 3.0 L V6 (2014 MY+)
Ram 1500 5.7L V8[26][27][28] (2013 MY+)
Rolls-Royce:
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Rolls-Royce Phantom (2013)
Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013)
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE (2017+) (longitudinally mounted engine only)

Potential future vehicle uses:
Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati Alfieri