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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Transmission fluid choices for AT



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      04-03-2011, 06:48 PM   #155
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaybird124 View Post
Whats been the specific drain method you've used? How many quarts are you using? How often are you changing out the filter? What would you say your total cost is per change?
I change it at my local shop. They use a machine to suck out and pump back the transfluid. I'll change my filter after I'm over 100K miles. The filter is attached to the pan, so you have to buy the entire bottom pan. I'm changing out 9 liters of fluid every 30-40K miles. Total cost per service including fluid is around $207 bucks.
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      04-14-2011, 03:06 PM   #156
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Ugh you guys are giving me a headache with this Lifeguard 6 v. Pentosin AT-F debate. LOL.

So...Lifeguard 6 is available @ $17.13 per litre from these guys:

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...=184&parent=58
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      04-14-2011, 03:21 PM   #157
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After all of this back and forth ctsc's disclaimer just made my day lol
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      04-14-2011, 05:25 PM   #158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spacedogg View Post
Ugh you guys are giving me a headache with this Lifeguard 6 v. Pentosin AT-F debate. LOL.

So...Lifeguard 6 is available @ $17.13 per litre from these guys:

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...=184&parent=58
Quote:
Originally Posted by firechicken99 View Post
After all of this back and forth ctsc's disclaimer just made my day lol
it's amazing this debate still goes on.
as it's already said, there's no substitute for LG6.

as far as warranty goes, if you want to go about the safest way, just use oem bmw or LG6. it maybe ok maybe not. noone knows until someone fails the tranny due to using wrong tranny fluids and how bmw feels toward using aftermarket atf which won't be amusing to them obviously...

price of LG6 above is much much cheaper than what i paid at the dealer and should be affordable solution for some.

if you use anything other than LG6 or OEM fluids, you are own your own regardless of whether your car drives the same or not...

it's just like using bmw ll01 spec engine oil vs conventional engine oils. sure your car maybe ok but some just want to be within that safety boundary, just because your amsoil, redline, royal purple or what have you works on your car it doesn't mean it'll work on everyone's car and also assume the dealer to grant warranty...

when you are using something other than dealer/manufacturer's specification, you know it's the risk you take your own...
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      04-14-2011, 05:44 PM   #159
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If were talking engine like the only.other I'd consider is amsoil... I've seen their products do so amazing things as far as longevity.is concerned in cars that are known to blow certain parts up Wayy to soon.... but were not so
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      05-04-2011, 11:07 PM   #160
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I changed out the LG6 in my pan and replaced it with LG6 I bought that is true Shell M1375.4.
I have both Esso and Pentosin which work fine on my two M3's with a 5 spd ZF tranny but I am not willing to take that chance on Mercon SP or anything else. By the way the Shell doesn't smell the same as with Esso or Pentosin. I have no idea if Mercon SP smells the same or not but Esso and Pentosin smell the same which means they smell bad but not as bad as what they smell like pulling them out of the pan.

I just replaced the ATF in a friends X3 ZF transmission (2006 not the GM model in 2007) with Pentosin ATF1 and it went well.

My 335 with the idiot built in pan filter will get a new filter on the 3rd change or so. I changed mine at 35K miles and it was darker than the new honey colored Shell I pumped in. You would expect that given the fact the friction discs and steels are wearing thus causing a lot of hot and a lot of mixed debris.

I did research this transmission and discovered that ZF makes the same model with a separate pan and filter. I don't know if this will fit our transmission the 19-21 model ZF but CTSC pan isn't the OEM and looks OK. However I would much rather have a replaceable filter not pan and filter which is much more expensive.

I plan to change just what is in the pan out every 30-35K miles and hope to have long tranny life.

ZF has posted that 80K kms or 50K mls (BMW speak) is when they state the fluid should be changed. BMW states 100K mls so you choose what you wish but ATF is cheap compared to the cost of replacing this tranny and I tend to believe the manufacturer of this transmission not BMW.

Debate is good, we all learn from it and thanks for the LG6 finding. I plan to buy a case of it since I need 12 L.
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      05-05-2011, 01:06 PM   #161
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hun77777 View Post
it's amazing this debate still goes on.
as it's already said, there's no substitute for LG6.

as far as warranty goes, if you want to go about the safest way, just use oem bmw or LG6. it maybe ok maybe not. noone knows until someone fails the tranny due to using wrong tranny fluids and how bmw feels toward using aftermarket atf which won't be amusing to them obviously...

price of LG6 above is much much cheaper than what i paid at the dealer and should be affordable solution for some.

if you use anything other than LG6 or OEM fluids, you are own your own regardless of whether your car drives the same or not...

it's just like using bmw ll01 spec engine oil vs conventional engine oils. sure your car maybe ok but some just want to be within that safety boundary, just because your amsoil, redline, royal purple or what have you works on your car it doesn't mean it'll work on everyone's car and also assume the dealer to grant warranty...

when you are using something other than dealer/manufacturer's specification, you know it's the risk you take your own...
LG6/BMW Fluid is just for warranty. Once out of warranty, you can use whatever you want. During warranty, NO dealer will change your fluid due to its rediculous cost. Outside of warranty, its been proven that "LG6" is just a re-labbeled liquid made by shell. According, and confirmed by, the Australian Petroleum institute, lifeguard 6 is just relabelled/rebottled Motorcraft Mercon SP. Motorcraft Mercon SP can be bought for as little as $3-4/quart. Still waiting for my trans to fail with pentosin ATF1, as, I'm now rolling past 100K, with numerous track days.
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      05-05-2011, 01:16 PM   #162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fun2drive View Post
I have no idea if Mercon SP smells the same or not but Esso and Pentosin smell the same which means they smell bad but not as bad as what they smell like pulling them out of the pan.
Smelling is no way to compare fluids.


Quote:
Originally Posted by fun2drive View Post
My 335 with the idiot built in pan filter will get a new filter on the 3rd change or so. I changed mine at 35K miles and it was darker than the new honey colored Shell I pumped in. You would expect that given the fact the friction discs and steels are wearing thus causing a lot of hot and a lot of mixed debris.
Without doing a used oil analysis, you cannot conclude that the darker fluid is in any worse condition than the fluid you are pouring in.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fun2drive View Post
I plan to change just what is in the pan out every 30-35K miles and hope to have long tranny life..
BTW, when you just drop the pan and do a drain and fill, the most your getting out is 4.5-5 Liters. The transmission houses 10 Liters,+.5L for the heat exchanger. No manufacturer of transmission fluid guarantees the mixture your creating, by doing just one drain and fill. You have to do at least two drain and fills to get a 80-100% fluid change.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fun2drive View Post
Debate is good, we all learn from it and thanks for the LG6 finding. I plan to buy a case of it since I need 12 L.
Wow considering the fact that we now know Motorcraft Mercon SP is LG6, think of all the money you've just thrown away.
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      05-07-2011, 11:03 AM   #163
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Looks like ZF germany replaces the trans fluid every 30K:



Don't know why were're on the bullS**t lifetime program in the states.

Last edited by Turkeybaster115; 05-07-2011 at 10:56 PM..
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      05-07-2011, 11:10 AM   #164
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wonder if they charge $35 a quart for LG6 too
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      05-07-2011, 01:10 PM   #165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115 View Post
Looks like ZF germany replaces the trans fluid every 30K:



Don't know why were on the bullS**t lifetime program in the states.
Different transmission
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      05-10-2011, 04:34 AM   #166
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I need to change mine soon. I want to replace the gaskets/filter/pan as well since leaking seems to be a problem for some members. I just ordered the Bentley Service Manual for E90/E92 so hopefully this is something that I can DIY.
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      05-10-2011, 09:36 AM   #167
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FWIW, its not usually the pan that's the leaking problem, its usually the mechatronics sleeve.
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      05-12-2011, 03:31 AM   #168
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raceyBMW View Post
FWIW, its not usually the pan that's the leaking problem, its usually the mechatronics sleeve.
Thanks for the info. I wonder if it is difficult to replace this, and where about this sleeve is.
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      05-12-2011, 06:57 AM   #169
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Sorry to not be more helpful but.its too early.for.me to look for it.... look up my posted threads I know of at least 2 I posted ZF dealer instructions on the job. if you have access to. a lift and common sense its VERY east
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      05-15-2011, 02:18 AM   #170
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firechicken99 View Post
Sorry to not be more helpful but.its too early.for.me to look for it.... look up my posted threads I know of at least 2 I posted ZF dealer instructions on the job. if you have access to. a lift and common sense its VERY east
Thanks very much, I found the thread:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238933

Instructions are in post #17 and #20, hopefully this can help others too.
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      05-15-2011, 02:12 PM   #171
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Arrow ZF 6HP Transmission oil as per BMW

ZF 6HP Transmissions oil as per BMW, look in the attached "Service Information Bulletin" under procedure #2 where it's officially documented which ATF oil they use - (Shell M-1375.4), just in case anyone needs this info.
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      05-16-2011, 04:36 PM   #172
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ZF 6HP Transmissions oil as per BMW, look in the attached "Service Information Bulletin" under procedure #2 where it's officially documented which ATF oil they use - (Shell M-1375.4), just in case anyone needs this info.
Shell M-1374 aka Lifeguard 6 aka Motorcraft Mercon SP, has a Kinematic Viscosity at 100C of only 5.7! Yikes. Don't use this thing to race, or drive hard. Its just good for gas mileage. Change every 30,000 miles.

Last edited by Turkeybaster115; 05-17-2011 at 09:51 AM..
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      05-16-2011, 04:43 PM   #173
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Anyone know of a shop in socal that can do the drain/fill on my 06 330i with 90k miles?

Still confused about what fluid to use.
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      05-16-2011, 04:48 PM   #174
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/\/ /\ /\ Agreed----

Is there a fluid you recommend or that anyone knows is better for a spirited/ hard driven 335i??

I also saw mention that some petroleum institute in australia "confirmed" LG6 is Mercon..... Anyone have a link to that information?
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      05-17-2011, 09:57 AM   #175
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firechicken99 View Post
/\/ /\ /\ Agreed----Is there a fluid you recommend or that anyone knows is better for a spirited/ hard driven 335i?
There are several listed on ZF TE ML 11B, but the problem is that they are made in other countries like New zealand, Australia, or germany, and not sold here. e.g Castrol tranzmax Z. The only one sold here is Pentosin ATF 1. Another flud you could use is Febi 14738 (Audi OEM fluid). Both can be got online.

Quote:
Originally Posted by firechicken99 View Post
I also saw mention that some petroleum institute in australia "confirmed" LG6 is Mercon..... Anyone have a link to that information?
you can go to the australian petroleum institiutes website, and either e-mail, or call them, if you doubt whats posted. Do a search on this topic, I posted a link to the info on here. Think the thread was entitled LG6=Mercon SP
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      05-17-2011, 10:10 AM   #176
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I don't doubt it was posted... I was simply asking for it because i didn't remember seeing it. I cant stand msg board pissing contests so no worries . Sometimes i find searching through thousands of threads for very specific things here to be futile.

I'll check it out. I just had the valvetronic sleeve replacement done at my stealership and the ride now has about 67k. Was thinking if i still have it around 75/80 this would be a good idea. Then again part of me is considering holding off and upgrading to a 335i with the n55 in it in a year or two.

Thanks again for the help
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