[Feldburg]

I have an 08 335 xi with about 80k miles on it. Went to my local shop to get a quote on changing my transmission fluid and filter. They quoted me 785 bucks and would be using redline's d4 atf. The price doesn't seem terrible but was more concerned about the type of fluid. Anyone use this in their cars? Thoughts? Please and thank you!

[b1mmr]

Originally Posted by Feldburg

I have an 08 335 xi with about 80k miles on it. Went to my local shop to get a quote on changing my transmission fluid and filter. They quoted me 785 bucks and would be using redline's d4 atf. The price doesn't seem terrible but was more concerned about the type of fluid. Anyone use this in their cars? Thoughts? Please and thank you!

785 not terrible? Pm me I need help with my career path lol

[Feldburg]

Originally Posted by Ian_N54

785 not terrible? Pm me I need help with my career path lol

HAHAAH well i saw a few people on the forum being quoted 1000 so yeah 785 not terrible, doesnt mean its good either....

[b1mmr]

Originally Posted by Feldburg

HAHAAH well i saw a few people on the forum being quoted 1000 so yeah 785 not terrible, doesnt mean its good either....

Lot of guys on here seem to have warranties as well but not I lol

[mweisdorfer]

You can do it yourself for $180-200.00, if you had the right tools.

Not terribly difficult really. Lots of DIY's out there

[zoppp]

If it meets the shell m1375.4 spec, you should be fine. I filled my transmission with Valvoline maxlife for $30 and it's been working fine so far. Put 500 miles since I changed it.

I think d4 is a usable fluid. $700 is way too much to pay for the service. Some people had their Indy to the job for $200.

[Feldburg]

Well doesn't the pan with intergrated filter cost like 150 bucks alone? And yeah I know the price is high and will definately either do it myself or find a better shop but mainly concerend about that fluid

[zoppp]

Originally Posted by Feldburg

Well doesn't the pan with intergrated filter cost like 150 bucks alone? And yeah I know the price is high and will definately either do it myself or find a better shop but mainly concerend about that fluid

Yes the pan costs about $150, I mean just for labor the indy charged $200.

The job isn't that hard, its just really annoying to do. I opened my fill plug and since my fluid was at the right level, I got covered in transmission fluid and had to do the rest of the job covered in atf and kitty litter.

If you can find an indy to do it for $200 I would definetly get it done there. Im a college student and just wanted to save money so I did it on my own.

I followed this guide http://5series.net/forums/diy-do-you...thread-137584/

As for the fluid, I know that Pentosin ATF1 can be used as an alternative according to their website where it lists it meets the ZF and Shell m1375.4 spec http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_ATF1.pdf
The only issue with it, is that the fluid can be expensive, close to $15-20 a liter which is close to the OEM ZF fluid price.
I also checked Redline for their specs and it seems Redline D4 does not meet the Shell m1375.4 spec. http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9
Redline D6 meets the specification: http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=115&pcid=9

I spent close to 6 hours browsing through bmw and jag forums to find out possible alternatives and I found that Valvoline's Maxlife fluid actually used to meet the shell spec but when you check their website for the spec sheet it isn't listed anymore. I called up valvoline and they sent me an internal document from 2015 that shows that it actually still meets the fluid specs and is appropriate for use in the ZF transmission.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1238331 Thats the thread I was posting in about fluid options. I also posted the internal document in there.

If you don't mind it, I would recommend you fill the ZF lifeguard or the Pentosin ATF1 fluid as those fluids have been tested by forum members with good results. I am right now just testing the Valvoline fluid on my own and so far its good but no guarantees on how it will be in the long run, going to have to see how it goes. The only reason I filled Maxlife is that it cost me only $35 for a full fill vs $160 if I was using OEM ZF fluid.

[Feldburg]

Thanks zoppp for the detailed response, just the answer I was looking for. I think I'll go with one of the last two you listed that meet spec. I rather dish out a little extra money to put the known correct fluid in there, I mean after all it is my transmission. Don't take care of it properly and you'll end up spending 4K plus for a new one haha

D4 in my trans for ~20k miles now. Good stuff. No need to run anything else unless you're still under warranty.

Out of most available options, it is the "better" fluid. More mods = more power = more heat. Given that, having a "true" synthetic that's a bit on the thicker side is definitely not a bad idea.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Feldburg

Well doesn't the pan with intergrated filter cost like 150 bucks alone? And yeah I know the price is high and will definately either do it myself or find a better shop but mainly concerend about that fluid

I have seen the pan filter for $100.00 on sale, but yes I think you can get it for $125-150 on most days.

Buy a 2.5 gallon bottle of Amsoil & the pan filter.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=ATFQT-EA

$118 x .25% = $88.5

25% off w/ membership

Pan Filter

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Tran.../dp/B00B0MM2YE

$112.00

$200.00 (total)

After your car gets over 100k, it's probably best to change the trans fluid every 50k.

[zoppp]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I have seen the pan filter for $100.00 on sale, but yes I think you can get it for $125-150 on most days.

Buy a 2.5 gallon bottle of Amsoil & the pan filter.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=ATFQT-EA

$118 x .25% = $88.5

25% off w/ membership

Pan Filter

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Tran.../dp/B00B0MM2YE

$112.00

$200.00 (total)

After your car gets over 100k, it's probably best to change the trans fluid every 50k.

This works as well. Checked the spec sheet and it meets shell's spec. For $88 I would just fill Pentosin ATF1 or the OEM fluid. If you want to save money I would just go with Valvoline Maxlife.

[maddmatt02]

Me and a friend sound some online and got 20l of atf1 for 205 shipped. And I forget where I got it but I found a pan for about $50 and only difference i noticed was it was all plastic, out didn't have the metal sleeves/collars where the bolts when through.

[maddmatt02]

Double check fitment but here's one even cheaper on eBay.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...499960&alt=web

http://www.new-part.com/product/oil-...em-zf-pentosin

That same place sells 20L for 205 shipped and 5l for about 60 I think

[zoppp]

Originally Posted by maddmatt02

Double check fitment but here's one even cheaper on eBay.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...499960&alt=web

http://www.new-part.com/product/oil-...em-zf-pentosin

That same place sells 20L for 205 shipped and 5l for about 60 I think

I dont know if I would trust ebay but that second is okay.

[maddmatt02]

Originally Posted by zoppp

I dont know if I would trust ebay but that second is okay.

Well eBay really has nothing to do with it. You just have to look at brands and research it a bit if you are truly worried. I mean you can buy a 9 dollar casio watch or a $4k breitling, both on eBay.

I used a pan I got for around 45 bucks and a $12 mechatronic sealing sleeve. Sleeve was from amazon, can't remember where the pan came from but looks like it wasn't eBay or Amazon since I can't find it in my order history so I don't know the exact brand but I'm sure both could be found on ebay. Been a short time so no idea if I'll have a problem but so far so good.

[Stucks]

been running redline d4 fluid in my trans (level 10 torque converter and valve body) for about 8k miles now. no issues.