2008 bmw 535i transmission fluid
 

Hi guys I have a 2008 BMW 535i E60 model. I am getting ready to replace my Transmission Seal adapter grommet for my mechatronic valve body.I will be doing a clean transmission fluid refill. Do anyone know what is the best form or transmission fluid on the market I can use instead of the ZF LIFEGUARD FLUID?. Can I use full synthetic transmission fluid for my BMW model ?. I am in the USA which auto parts store should I buy from? If you have the same BMW model as I do, and replace the transmission fluid by yourself, which replacement did you used. Thanks

I've always used ZF Lifeguard6. For me, it's not worth the risk. If my transmission fails, I know it's not from incompatible fluid.

Same as KyleB. Be safe and put in what you now works for the trans

I believe someone else stated Mercon SP was compatible but I would verify that first.

Mercon SP works just fine and is chemically identical to ZF Lifegaurd 6 at less than 1/2 the price.

ZF Lifeguard 6 = Mercon SP

Alot of people have there own opinions on what fluid works. i doubted the Mercon SP at first but After doing the research it has the same viscosity as ZF and its only died for leakage purposes. i have a friend that has ran it in his BMWs for years with no issue. One of them knocking at 200k. But as I said previously I would stick with ZF. I only suggest it if someone is trying to save money or troubleshoot issues

The Mercon fluid has been noted by many as being compatible. I use the ZF strictly for peace of mind and for no other reason. I pay extra for it, and do not mind doing so. Those are my $.02, educate yourself with all of the information that's out there and decide what's best for you and your car ;)

cheers!

Hey black prince I'am interested in knowing as to why in particular are you changing your fluid? Anything noticeable in the transmission or just for piece of mind? And also what is your mileage also? I have a 2009 535 and would like to know around when I should start to gauge changing mines as well.

you should change your fluid as you would on any other car. How many miles do you have on your car akaveli3. Some of us waited too late to change it but if I had it to do all over again I would have done it around 50k to 60k

I'm @ 65K, no issues as of yet but I was just asking out of curiosity.

Hi akaveli3 I have 70k miles on my 2008. I am getting ready to replace my Transmission Seal adapter grommet for my mechatronic valve body. I was wondering if there was any transmission fluid that was compatible with the ZF LIFEGAURD at a cheaper cost.I was very curious to know if anyone tried a different product other than the LIFEGUARD included any synthetic form of transmission fluid... If you look inside the E60 DISCUSSION SECTION, I posted a topic called 2008 BMW 535i TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. there is a video with symptom of my transmission. thanks

Here's my 2 cents on any car you want to keep for a while...

Oil from the auto parts store - fine (as long as it is complaint).
Brake fluid - fine (although I get the ATE low viscosity stuff and you can't get that in the store).

Coolant from the auto store - not worth the cost savings.
Transmission fluid - not worth the cost savings. You want to get the ZF branded stuff, fine.
Differential and other fluids - not worth the cost savings.

yep, I agree. ATE is nice because you can alternate between blue and yellow.

Hi KyleB you seem to be an expert when it comes to BMW. Today I went looking for transmission fluid for my 2008 535i my first stop was at O'Reilly Auto Parts here in Wisconsin. Right away they recommended PENTOSIN ATF 1 as the first choice. However while surfing the internet I came across a guide by Valvoline showing a list of all their transmission products. this is what is listed for BMW see below.

Domestic & Import Multi-Vehicle:
Valvoline MaxLife ATF (Full Synthetic)
• Recommended for all vehicles manufactured by General
Motors & Ford (except those with CVTs, or those calling
for Type F ATF) including Mercon LV
• Recommended for many imports, including Toyota,
Lexus, Honda, Acura, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi,
Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi
• Outperforms conventional transmission fluids

FOR BMW
2002-2011 1-series, 3-series, 5-series, X-5 series, 6-series and
7-series with 6speed GA6HP19Z, GA6HP19ZTU, GA6HP26Z, GA6H- P26ZTU, GA6HP32Z, or S6S53BZ Transmission

FLUID SPECIFICATION

BMW part number 83 22 0 142
516,shell M-1375.4

VALVOLINE BRAND

MaxLife ATF, Import MV ATF

here is the link to this...
http://www.carquestprofessionals.com...%206.10.13.pdf


when I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts, this was the second choice, but they talk about color differences, this being red and Pentocost is blue.

My question is this, how reliable is Valvoline products when it come to BMW, does anyone actually use this maxlife in their BMW. the above fluid specification part numbers (BMW part number 83 22 0 142
516,Shell M-1375.4) matches my BMW, this is my transmission model # GA6HP19ZTU. if this is compatible then it is way cheaper than the pentosin, with the fact that I would be doing a clean refill within the next 30k or 50k miles. Any feed back would be so helpful. Thanks

I dont know if anything that cost $6 a quart would go in my transmission. I think everyone here has said ZF fluid is the best way to go and has stated what is close to it. KyleB will only tell you ZF as many would because no one wants to pay $8000 for trans fail due to incompatible oil. I understand trying to save money but isnt the point of DIY so you can ease the pain of the dealer price tag. Yes we all know ZF is more expensive than domestic oil but I would not put faith in something that is graded for domestic/imports. It is too risky.

No idea, I have never heard of anyone using this fluid.

Here is my last and final $.02, take it for what it's worth:


A new ZF 6HP19 transmission costs five thousand dollars.

That's five THOUSAND dollars.

$5000.00. Five grand. 5 G's.



I mail order the ZF fluid from thectsc because I know deep down that when I pump that ZF Lifeguard6 fluid into my five THOUSAND dollar transmission there is 0.0% chance that I am putting in a potentially incompatible fluid. It's worth the extra money for me.

What you put into your transmission is completely up to you. Others have had success with other fluids. I will always use ZF Lifeguard6 in my transmission for the above stated reason. YMMV. Good luck, cheers.