Best ATF for ZF 6AT Transmission in 335i??

iqraceworks · 10-22-2019, 08:37 PM

I just ordered all the parts I need for a transmission service on my 07' 335i with the 6AT auto transmission. The one thing I held off on ordering was the 8 quarts of ATF fluid.

I could have gotten the ZF OEM fluid, but it's something like $20 a quart.

After searching through the forums, it seems like people have great luck with the Redline D6 ATF, Motorcraft Mercon SP ATF, and Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

I don't mind ordering the ZF fluid, but if I can save some money and go with a different type that meets the same OEM specs...why not?

From what I've found online......the Mercon SP is basically the same as the ZF Lifeguard OEM fluid. Any reason to not save $100 and go with the Mercon SP?

Jeef · 10-23-2019, 08:50 AM

I usually like to stay with ZF fluid just to be on the safe side but I have had experience with the Ford motorcraft one. Seems to still be running solid so can't say anything bad about it so far.

Ford's use ZF trans too from what I can remember

type-dRew · 10-23-2019, 09:05 AM

ZF lifeguard

Ford fluid is similar enough to use but not the same. So which one you pick is entirely up to how correct you'd like to keep the car to oem

iqraceworks · 10-23-2019, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

I usually like to stay with ZF fluid just to be on the safe side but I have had experience with the Ford motorcraft one. Seems to still be running solid so can't say anything bad about it so far.

Ford's use ZF trans too from what I can remember

From what I've read, some of the Crown Vic's run ZF transmissions in them.....and the Mercon SP is what ZF says to run in them.

DTOAST3 · 10-23-2019, 09:30 AM

I just bought the Liqui Moly 1800 for my transmission. It's pretty cheap and if FCP and ECS offer it with their transmission kits, then i figured it's good enough for my car.

mweisdorfer · 10-23-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

I just ordered all the parts I need for a transmission service on my 07' 335i with the 6AT auto transmission. The one thing I held off on ordering was the 8 quarts of ATF fluid.

I could have gotten the ZF OEM fluid, but it's something like $20 a quart.

After searching through the forums, it seems like people have great luck with the Redline D6 ATF, Motorcraft Mercon SP ATF, and Valvoline Maxlife ATF.

I don't mind ordering the ZF fluid, but if I can save some money and go with a different type that meets the same OEM specs...why not?

From what I've found online......the Mercon SP is basically the same as the ZF Lifeguard OEM fluid. Any reason to not save $100 and go with the Mercon SP?

I use Amsoil & change it every 50,000 miles

type-dRew · 10-23-2019, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

From what I've read, some of the Crown Vic's run ZF transmissions in them.....and the Mercon SP is what ZF says to run in them.

Sure, but that doesn't mean they use the same fluid.

BMW has made a lot of cars. Do they all use the same oil?

I had a Getrag trans in one of my cars that used completely different fluid than the Getrag trans in my other car. Not an argument, you can use whatever fluid you want but Lifeguard and Mercon are NOT the same fluid. But you can use it and many have.

Sgop335 · 10-23-2019, 12:30 PM

Its correct they are not the same fluids altho people claim they are.
Some even use cheap Valvoline or other universal fluids and report no issues and pat their backs over saving bucks.
The important thing here is the context, which is missing like most in these forums. If one is going from pt A to B, just puttering along stock, I would think these generic fluids are probably fine. But if we are talking high torque, brake boosting etc. then doesn't it make sense to put the right fluid or may be a better fluid? We are talking 50k miles or so here any way, how much does one really make out?
Having said that I don't use the ZF fluid, do think its outrageous. But I found the Febi intended for the 6HP transmission economical and high quality. Ravenol 6HP is another great fluid made for this application, pricey.

10-23-2019, 01:15 PM

D4 here...no complaints over the last ~62k miles:
https://www.redlineoil.com/d4-atf

iqraceworks · 10-23-2019, 03:22 PM

The more I read.....the more I get confused. Some guys say the redline D6 is the stuff to use. Other say use D4. Others say they have had slipping issues with Redline D4 or D6. Some guys say Mercon SP Is the same as the ZF lifetime fluid according to Blackstone labs, others say no it's not. Some say that the Valvoline maxlife meets the ZF spec.....others say it's junk. Lots of opinions that are all across the board.

I've had a hard time figuring out what to go with.
Everyone seems to be an ATF expert......but everyone has different opinions (not many based on actual facts and data).

There are only two types of fluids that I haven't heard anything negative about ......the ZF lifetime fluid (OEM), and the Mercon SP.....so that has to say something.

E93Beast · 10-23-2019, 11:44 PM

ZF as its what came in the trans to begin with. Pretty simple.

charmer37 · 11-28-2019, 09:37 AM

I been using Mercon Sp for years, I used it in my 525i E60 And currently in my 325i E90. The car shifts good and I never had any problems with my transmission, A few other fluids that’s reasonably priced I would use is: Liqui moly top tech 1800, Pentosin, Febi and amsoil fuel efficient atf.

I like the Mercon SP because it’s a fluid used in other 6HP transmissions and it’s not a multi-vehicle atf unlike a lot of the other brands.

iqraceworks · 11-28-2019, 09:46 AM

I've got about 800 miles on my fresh fluid and filter change. I went with Valvoline MaxLife synthetic ATF. It meets the BMW specs......and it's reasonably priced.

My transmission is working so much better after the new fluid, filter, and seals.

drubular · 11-28-2019, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeef

I usually like to stay with ZF fluid just to be on the safe side but I have had experience with the Ford motorcraft one. Seems to still be running solid so can't say anything bad about it so far.

Ford's use ZF trans too from what I can remember

I had Jeef put fresh Motorcraft Mercon SP ATF last year with zero issues.

iqraceworks · 01-31-2022, 08:46 PM

Just an update....been running the Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic ATF in my 07' 335i with the ZF 6HP21 transmission for over a year now. Hitting it with 600-ish HP from the motor, and it's still shifting like a champ. I'd say that if you are looking for a good ATF for the ZF 6AT and don't want to pay $20-$30 a quart for the ZF fluid......Maxlife Synthetic ATF is good to go 👍. It's easy to find at Walmart, and at $4.50 a qt ($18 for a gallon) is a bargain.

YPC_ROC · 05-25-2024, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

Just an update....been running the Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic ATF in my 07' 335i with the ZF 6HP21 transmission for over a year now. Hitting it with 600-ish HP from the motor, and it's still shifting like a champ. I'd say that if you are looking for a good ATF for the ZF 6AT and don't want to pay $20-$30 a quart for the ZF fluid......Maxlife Synthetic ATF is good to go 👍. It's easy to find at Walmart, and at $4.50 a qt ($18 for a gallon) is a bargain.

Red or blue bottle? I was looking n i saw both of them wasnt quite sure which one to use

iqraceworks · 05-28-2024, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YPC_ROC

Red or blue bottle? I was looking n i saw both of them wasnt quite sure which one to use

Red bottle is the Valvoline Maxlife ATF. Never seen it in a Blue bottle before.

10-22-2019, 08:37 PM	#1
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2066 Rep 3,790 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Best ATF for ZF 6AT Transmission in 335i?? I just ordered all the parts I need for a transmission service on my 07' 335i with the 6AT auto transmission. The one thing I held off on ordering was the 8 quarts of ATF fluid. I could have gotten the ZF OEM fluid, but it's something like $20 a quart. After searching through the forums, it seems like people have great luck with the Redline D6 ATF, Motorcraft Mercon SP ATF, and Valvoline Maxlife ATF. I don't mind ordering the ZF fluid, but if I can save some money and go with a different type that meets the same OEM specs...why not? From what I've found online......the Mercon SP is basically the same as the ZF Lifeguard OEM fluid. Any reason to not save $100 and go with the Mercon SP? __________________ 2007 335i, BMS DCI, BMS Chargepipe w/Tial BOV, ARM Catless Downpipes, silicone inlets, Bilstein B12 Prokit Suspension, Whiteline subframe bushings, Front/Rear M3 control arms, G-Plus FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP, Custom E40 tune by Justin (V8Bait), xHP stage 3 transmission flash, RB Two Turbos....10.90 @ 128mph
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10-23-2019, 08:50 AM	#2
Jeef Lieutenant Colonel 389 Rep 1,943 Posts Drives: AW E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	I usually like to stay with ZF fluid just to be on the safe side but I have had experience with the Ford motorcraft one. Seems to still be running solid so can't say anything bad about it so far. Ford's use ZF trans too from what I can remember
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10-23-2019, 09:05 AM	#3
type-dRew Major 642 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2009 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Newport MI iTrader: (0)	ZF lifeguard Ford fluid is similar enough to use but not the same. So which one you pick is entirely up to how correct you'd like to keep the car to oem __________________ 2009 335i xDrive AT / 177k+ miles PSP 750ic / Fuel-It! Stage 1 / BMS CP / Sutphin Tuning / RFP E50 11.61 @ 117.5 New setup; Covid 19Ts on RFP 93 + ARM inlets, dp, VTT cp and PSP outlets
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10-23-2019, 09:30 AM	#5
DTOAST3 Private First Class 13 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Memphis iTrader: (0)	I just bought the Liqui Moly 1800 for my transmission. It's pretty cheap and if FCP and ECS offer it with their transmission kits, then i figured it's good enough for my car.
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10-23-2019, 12:30 PM	#8
Sgop335 Colonel 657 Rep 2,061 Posts Drives: 07 335i e92, 08 535i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	Its correct they are not the same fluids altho people claim they are. Some even use cheap Valvoline or other universal fluids and report no issues and pat their backs over saving bucks. The important thing here is the context, which is missing like most in these forums. If one is going from pt A to B, just puttering along stock, I would think these generic fluids are probably fine. But if we are talking high torque, brake boosting etc. then doesn't it make sense to put the right fluid or may be a better fluid? We are talking 50k miles or so here any way, how much does one really make out? Having said that I don't use the ZF fluid, do think its outrageous. But I found the Febi intended for the 6HP transmission economical and high quality. Ravenol 6HP is another great fluid made for this application, pricey. __________________ 335i e92 TPC 19Ts
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10-23-2019, 01:15 PM	#9
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	D4 here...no complaints over the last ~62k miles: https://www.redlineoil.com/d4-atf
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10-23-2019, 03:22 PM	#10
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2066 Rep 3,790 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	The more I read.....the more I get confused. Some guys say the redline D6 is the stuff to use. Other say use D4. Others say they have had slipping issues with Redline D4 or D6. Some guys say Mercon SP Is the same as the ZF lifetime fluid according to Blackstone labs, others say no it's not. Some say that the Valvoline maxlife meets the ZF spec.....others say it's junk. Lots of opinions that are all across the board. I've had a hard time figuring out what to go with. Everyone seems to be an ATF expert......but everyone has different opinions (not many based on actual facts and data). There are only two types of fluids that I haven't heard anything negative about ......the ZF lifetime fluid (OEM), and the Mercon SP.....so that has to say something.
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10-23-2019, 11:44 PM	#11
E93Beast Banned 633 Rep 230 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Land of tha Heartless iTrader: (0)	ZF as its what came in the trans to begin with. Pretty simple.
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11-28-2019, 09:37 AM	#12
charmer37 New Member 3 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Bmw E90 Join Date: May 2019 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I been using Mercon Sp for years, I used it in my 525i E60 And currently in my 325i E90. The car shifts good and I never had any problems with my transmission, A few other fluids that’s reasonably priced I would use is: Liqui moly top tech 1800, Pentosin, Febi and amsoil fuel efficient atf. I like the Mercon SP because it’s a fluid used in other 6HP transmissions and it’s not a multi-vehicle atf unlike a lot of the other brands. Last edited by charmer37; 11-28-2019 at 09:42 AM.. Reason: Not completed
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11-28-2019, 09:46 AM	#13
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2066 Rep 3,790 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	I've got about 800 miles on my fresh fluid and filter change. I went with Valvoline MaxLife synthetic ATF. It meets the BMW specs......and it's reasonably priced. My transmission is working so much better after the new fluid, filter, and seals.
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01-31-2022, 08:46 PM	#15
iqraceworks Brigadier General 2066 Rep 3,790 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Just an update....been running the Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic ATF in my 07' 335i with the ZF 6HP21 transmission for over a year now. Hitting it with 600-ish HP from the motor, and it's still shifting like a champ. I'd say that if you are looking for a good ATF for the ZF 6AT and don't want to pay $20-$30 a quart for the ZF fluid......Maxlife Synthetic ATF is good to go 👍. It's easy to find at Walmart, and at $4.50 a qt ($18 for a gallon) is a bargain.
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