Zf lifeguard 6 = mercon sp
05-04-2015, 11:30 AM
#11
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My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
How much is expensive because on The CTSC - ZF Parts website you can get the whole tranny kit for $258... pan,screws,plug,mechatronic sleeve and 6 quarts of zf lifeguard 6. I want to get it but my indy shop says that price is too good to be true because one bottle of lifeguard 6 cost $39 bucks and he says all I need is the Redline fluid and the rest of the things I said above. Can someone chime in pls
05-04-2015, 12:52 PM
#12
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My Ride: BMW 550I BLK
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N62
I don't know but the indy shop I go to are all bmw's and the he says that what he uses in all the bmw's that he does the tranny jobs on
05-04-2015, 01:12 PM
#13
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Per their website:
Popular product and application crossover:
Dexron® VI (GM #88861003), Mercon® SP, Mercon® LV, Mercon®, Dexron® III '99 on automatic applications
BMW - Dexron® VI - BMW #83 22 0 432 807, 83 22 0 397 114
('06 on 6L45E X3, 6L809E, '07 on 3 Series, '08 on 1 Series with GM GA6L45R 6 speed automatic)
Ford Mercon® SP - XT-6-QSP
(Torque Shift 5-speed Automatic 5R110W, '03 on 6.0 liter diesel trucks, 2005-09 V-10, ZF 6HP26 6R60/6R75)
Ford Mercon® LV - XT-10-QLV
('08- Focus, '09- F-150, F-250SD, Expedition, Navigator 6R80)
Honda/Acura DW-1
Mercedes Fuchs/Mobil/Shell 3353, MB Sheet 236.12 (NAG-2, 722.9,
7 speed transmission - MB # A001 989 45 03 10)
Mercedes Mobil/Shell ATF 134, Fuchs/Titan 4134 (MB Sheet 236.14 NAG-2, 722.9 7G-Tronic supersedes 3353, MB # 001 989 68 03 10)
Mercedes - Dexron® VI MB Sheet 236.41 (722.550 8 speed
ML Class hybrid type 164.195)
Mitsubishi Dia Queen ATF-J2, Mitsubishi # 4040610, 4031610
Mitsubishi SP-IV - Hyundai SP-IV - Kia SPH-IV
NissanMatic S
Toyota/Lexus WS, AW-1 - JWS 3324, NWS09638
(VW/Audi 0C8 8 speed # G 055 540, SAAB '03 on 9-3 6 speed # 93 165 147, Volvo # 31 256 774, 31 256 775)
ZF Lifeguard 6 & 6 Plus - Shell M1375.4
('02 on 6 & 7 Series, '06 on 3, 5 Series and X5 with ZF 6 speed automatic BMW# 83 22 0 142 516, 83 22 0 144 137, 83 22 0 406 929, VW/AUDI # G 055 005, G 055 162 )
ZF Lifeguard 8 - Shell M-L12108
(BMW # 83 22 2 152 426 and VW/AUDI # G 060 162)
Now keep in mind they are not stating their fluid is approved in these applications.
Opinions vary on which fluid can be run in the ZF transmissions from "Do NOT use anything, but LG6" to " Run any decent synthetic ATF."
A few years back someone on Bimmerfest sent samples of unused LG6 and Mercon SP to Blackstone Labs for analysis. While they said the fluids were not identical in additives, they were close enough that they could simply be from two different batches of the same formula.
05-04-2015, 02:06 PM
#14
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My Ride: BMW 550I BLK
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N62
[QUOTE=biz77;1562387]Just to be clear that kit only includes 5 screws and I'm not sure why. I've dropped the pan and done the transmission service on my two BMWs using the 6HP21. I reused the transmission pan screws both times and experienced no issue by reusing them. The torque spec on them is minimal.
On my e90, I purchased the kit from thectsc.com. It worked great. On my E60 I purchased the pan/filter/plug from Amazon for $96.00 delivered, the mechatronic sleeve for $17.00 from thectsc.com and 7 quarts of Mercon SP at my local O'Reilly for $52.43. These parts also worked great. If you are just comparing fluid prices, then it's about $20 per liter for the ZF versus $7.50 per quart for the Ford Motorcraft Mercon SP.
Sounds like your local guy is making huge profit on that ZF Lifeguard 6 at $39 per liter. You can use Redline D6 ATF. Many people have and reported zero issues with a fair number of miles, but the Mercon SP is pretty well known to be the same stuff as ZF Lifeguard 6 with red dye added and it sells for quite a bit less than the Redline from what I have seen.[/QUOTE
No my indy shop says why buy zf fluid for $39. When I can get redline way cheaper. I was just wondering if that zf website was a good deal.
On my e90, I purchased the kit from thectsc.com. It worked great. On my E60 I purchased the pan/filter/plug from Amazon for $96.00 delivered, the mechatronic sleeve for $17.00 from thectsc.com and 7 quarts of Mercon SP at my local O'Reilly for $52.43. These parts also worked great. If you are just comparing fluid prices, then it's about $20 per liter for the ZF versus $7.50 per quart for the Ford Motorcraft Mercon SP.
Sounds like your local guy is making huge profit on that ZF Lifeguard 6 at $39 per liter. You can use Redline D6 ATF. Many people have and reported zero issues with a fair number of miles, but the Mercon SP is pretty well known to be the same stuff as ZF Lifeguard 6 with red dye added and it sells for quite a bit less than the Redline from what I have seen.[/QUOTE
No my indy shop says why buy zf fluid for $39. When I can get redline way cheaper. I was just wondering if that zf website was a good deal.
05-04-2015, 02:30 PM
#15
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The 5 included bolts are enough to replace any ones that don't look good. I don't see those bolts ever really needing to be replaced for mechanical damage.
As for fluid, I'm sure there are probably more than one compatible fluids. I don't want to experiment for that price delta. Transmissions can be finicky.
As for fluid, I'm sure there are probably more than one compatible fluids. I don't want to experiment for that price delta. Transmissions can be finicky.
05-04-2015, 02:54 PM
#16
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My Ride: BMW 550I BLK
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N62
I went with a indy recommend when I had my 04 530. And the car never ran the same. Now I have a 550i and its getting time for a tranny drink so im getting alot of good info from you all.. thank you
05-04-2015, 03:21 PM
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My Ride: Alpine E60, '09 535i-Premium, Sport and Comfort Access PackageMods: Lux H8 V3 Angel Eyes, Weisslicht LED license plate lights, Interior LED lights, RPI Scoop, Matte Black Grills, Smoked LED side markers & side reflectors, 35% tint all around, and a 3
[QUOTE=star69me;1562400]
Don't know why you'd pay double what I pay for LG6. Most reputable shops sell LG6 for $22-19 a liter. $39 a liter is a dealership price which your Indy probably doesn't have a wholesale account setup. Or your Indy is charging you a roundel tax. 
Just to be clear that kit only includes 5 screws and I'm not sure why. I've dropped the pan and done the transmission service on my two BMWs using the 6HP21. I reused the transmission pan screws both times and experienced no issue by reusing them. The torque spec on them is minimal.
On my e90, I purchased the kit from thectsc.com. It worked great. On my E60 I purchased the pan/filter/plug from Amazon for $96.00 delivered, the mechatronic sleeve for $17.00 from thectsc.com and 7 quarts of Mercon SP at my local O'Reilly for $52.43. These parts also worked great. If you are just comparing fluid prices, then it's about $20 per liter for the ZF versus $7.50 per quart for the Ford Motorcraft Mercon SP.
Sounds like your local guy is making huge profit on that ZF Lifeguard 6 at $39 per liter. You can use Redline D6 ATF. Many people have and reported zero issues with a fair number of miles, but the Mercon SP is pretty well known to be the same stuff as ZF Lifeguard 6 with red dye added and it sells for quite a bit less than the Redline from what I have seen.[/QUOTE
No my indy shop says why buy zf fluid for $39. When I can get redline way cheaper. I was just wondering if that zf website was a good deal.
On my e90, I purchased the kit from thectsc.com. It worked great. On my E60 I purchased the pan/filter/plug from Amazon for $96.00 delivered, the mechatronic sleeve for $17.00 from thectsc.com and 7 quarts of Mercon SP at my local O'Reilly for $52.43. These parts also worked great. If you are just comparing fluid prices, then it's about $20 per liter for the ZF versus $7.50 per quart for the Ford Motorcraft Mercon SP.
Sounds like your local guy is making huge profit on that ZF Lifeguard 6 at $39 per liter. You can use Redline D6 ATF. Many people have and reported zero issues with a fair number of miles, but the Mercon SP is pretty well known to be the same stuff as ZF Lifeguard 6 with red dye added and it sells for quite a bit less than the Redline from what I have seen.[/QUOTE
No my indy shop says why buy zf fluid for $39. When I can get redline way cheaper. I was just wondering if that zf website was a good deal.
05-04-2015, 04:18 PM
#18
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As stated, your local indy is trying to bend you over on the ZF fluid. It typically sells for about half that price. One place to get it for a reasonable price is thectsc.com. How much are they asking for Redline D6 out of curiosity?
05-04-2015, 06:21 PM
#19
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My Ride: BMW 550I BLK
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N62
He didn't say. That's why in looking for a new indy shop. I'm not gonna get over priced. And gonna buy that kit f4 thectsc.com I have to get some prices on labor now
05-05-2015, 09:44 AM
#20
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My Ride: BMW 535I
Hey guys here is what make sense to me, It seem like everyone is putting their trust into this ZF LIFEGUARD FLUID. but the question no one is asking is where exactly is this lifeguard being manufactured, why cant I get it in the local auto parts stores, why is this only online or on ebay? If this product is the life of the ZF transmission why isnt it everywhere. how will I know that this ZF fluid isnt from China. What i know for sure is that the Lincoln Navigator built by FORD use the 6HP26 transmission and FORD fill it up with MERCON SP, so that tell you something, MERCON SP is a trusted Fluid for these ZF transmissions. Sometimes buying expensive fluid isnt alway best. MERCON SP is alot cheaper but has proven to work and recommended by FORD..Let all think about it!!!