2000 BMW X5 3.0i - ATF?

[Finn]

Transmission is A5S390R ie. 5L40-E and has this sticker on the oil pan:

Correct me if I'm wrong but first fill has been Dexron III and recommendation now is Dexron VI?

If Dexron VI is correct then I can fairly easy get Ravenol Dexron VI or Petro-Canada Dexron VI. Both cost about the same and require same trip to next town. Which to get or does it matter?

 

[RooflessVW]

The factory fill was a Texaco fluid, neither Dex III nor Dex VI.

Dex VI works great.

 

[Finn]

Everything about BMW transmission fluids appears to be way secretive and complicated. Same applies to differential fluids ie. they give BMW part number and that's about it.

Apparently first fill has been Texaco ETL-8072B. This has been commented on various BMW forums to be more or less same as Dexron III. Current spec as far as I can tell is Dexron VI.

 

[Dave1027]

I run Valvoline Import Multi-Vehicle ATF in my BMW A5S390R. Works perfect. I've tried several others. This one seems to be the best.

 

[Trav]

I feed them Amsoil ATF (not ATFL) and they perform like a champ. No need for fuel efficient formulations in these older units.