Amsoil ATF in a BMW?

[srl1104]

I am thinking of doing a partial fluid change on the 5 speed ZF Steptronic in my 01 325i. I bought the car with 108k on it and neither the fluid or the filter had ever been changed so I had my mechanic drop the pan and change some of the fluid and the filter. It was refilled with the OEM stuff at $17.00 per quart

. I would like to do another partial fluid change and was wondering if Amsoil made a product that I could use in that transmission and also if it would mix with the OEM stuff?

 

[unDummy]

What oem stuff?

 

[gtx510]

Did that year use the GM transmission?
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/chart.htm
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/GM2000Chart.jpg
It says Texaco ETL 8072 B is the OEM fluid.

 

[Pablo]

Quote:

---

I am thinking of doing a partial fluid change on the 5 speed ZF Steptronic in my 01 325i. I bought the car with 108k on it and neither the fluid or the filter had ever been changed so I had my mechanic drop the pan and change some of the fluid and the filter. It was refilled with the OEM stuff at $17.00 per quart

. I would like to do another partial fluid change and was wondering if Amsoil made a product that I could use in that transmission and also if it would mix with the OEM stuff?

---

Amsoil says: Automatic Transmission,ZF 5HP-19.....AE[4]
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid 4. Esso LT 71141 ATF, BMW part no.
83 22 9 407 807.

Which is: Amsoil ATF

IF you are feeling adventurous and want a little crisper shifts and a bit higher viscosity, you can try this: Amsoil ATD

Be sure to purchase from a site sponsor such as myself.

 

[Craig in Canada]

There are different fluid specs for some of the different recent automatics out there. Most of my experience is with E39s, not E46s. I know that there are a couple of people out there using Valvoline Maxlife synthetic which specifically says on the label that it's a replacement for LT71141. They also backed that up on a tech phone call with at least one of these people.

This thread comes to mind. On edit: ha ha, that's funny. He's a member here and has a thread open about the same thing, including some inline used oil analysis. I hadn't read every post in the thread so didn't notice. Look here


I know there's a lot of buzz out there about BMW automatics and short lifetime. I have a manual so I haven't had to answer these questions personally, but with the potential expense involved on a significant monetary investment I'm actually inclined to stay pretty close to OEM on these jobs. There are places to get genuine Esso LT71141 for less money than at the dealer also.

I know of many people with the older autos (ie. mid-90s) that spec Dexron using whatever they want, but that's not what you have.

I haven't seen any used oil analysis of OEM or any other fluids in 2000+ BMW automatics. I'd love to, and perhaps it would provide some answers.