Transmission Fluids

[charmer37]

Hello everyone,

I have a 1995 Bmw 325is and i would like some advice on what transmission fluid i should use, My owners manual recommends dexron II but i would like to upgrade to a synthetic blend or full synthetic transmission fluid. I have a few brands in mind like "Redline D4 atf", "Amsoil signature series multi-vehicle synthetic atf" and "Mobil 1 multi-vehicle synthetic atf", Any suggestions or should i just stick to a regular "Castrol Dex/Merc Atf?..... Thank's

 

[Doog]

Mobil1 ATF or the Castrol Import MV ATF would be my choices

 

[antiqueshell]

Go for the Castrol Import Multi Vehicle product, I believe that your model did NOT specify a synthetic fluid, so I would stay away from them. It isn't about the performance as much about the seals that are now very old, and that could cause leaks.

 

[GaleHawkins]

Originally Posted By: charmer37
Hello everyone,

I have a 1995 Bmw 325is and i would like some advice on what transmission fluid i should use, My owners manual recommends dexron II but i would like to upgrade to a synthetic blend or full synthetic transmission fluid. I have a few brands in mind like "Redline D4 atf", "Amsoil signature series multi-vehicle synthetic atf" and "Mobil 1 multi-vehicle synthetic atf", Any suggestions or should i just stick to a regular "Castrol Dex/Merc Atf?..... Thank's


Technically any Dex/Merc would be a step up from the manual but Dexron VI is the current ATF spec to replace Dexron II. We find Dexron VI in the Wal-Mart house brand to work very well.

Unless doing a bucket flush you will be running more old ATF than new but either the old III spec or new VI Dexron spec will give your transmission more of what it needs to live longer.

If not in a rush I like to run a can of Seafoam in the transmission for 200-300 miles before a bucket flush but its value can be debated forever.

 

[Voltmaster]

How many miles do you have on it?

If its over 150 I would suggest maxlife, it works in every car I can think of with great results.

If you have no ATf issues, and want to put a fluid in you can trust and never have to change again I'd pay the extra and pay for amsoil, they grantee 100k for their ATF.
^ thats the route i chose after rebuilding the transmission on my accord. I dont plan on touching it, and i am going to tell the next owner not to either.

One note is if its been over 100k with ATF in there , you may do more harm than good changing it.

 

[285south]

Redline

 

[MolaKule]

I would do about three drain and fills with about 1,000 miles in between each D&F.

Redline D4 or Amsoil signature series multi-vehicle synthetic atf should work well.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
I would do about three drain and fills with about 1,000 miles in between each D&F.

Redline D4 or Amsoil signature series multi-vehicle synthetic atf should work well.


+1 on the Amsoil ATF. Its in everything of mine. No issues in that area.

 

[kschachn]

Make up much?

I use Mobil 1 ATF in my old 530i and it works fine. The pan gasket was leaking when I got it (replaced it and the filter) and no more leaks. Even in -25 weather it shifts fine with no weird noises or delays.

This application (Dex II/III) is one of the few things Mobil 1 ATF is still recommended for. I have been using it since new in my Sienna and on those times where I drop the pan to clean it and the magnets, there is hardly any clutch goop or anything in the pan. For my applications it has been awesome.

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Go for the Castrol Import Multi Vehicle product, I believe that your model did NOT specify a synthetic fluid, so I would stay away from them. It isn't about the performance as much about the seals that are now very old, and that could cause leaks.

 

[supercity]

Castrol Multivehicle over here is a full synthetic FM DXIII type fluid.

 

[charmer37]

Thank's for the great responses, The transmission on my Bmw has been well taken care of with scheduled fluid changes. There's so many fluids to choose from, I guess it's a toss up between "Castrol Imv", "Maxlife dex/merc or "Mobil 1 atf!

 

[charmer37]

I'll agree! M1 synthetic transmission fluid is totally a Dexron II/III replacement.
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Make up much?

I use Mobil 1 ATF in my old 530i and it works fine. The pan gasket was leaking when I got it (replaced it and the filter) and no more leaks. Even in -25 weather it shifts fine with no weird noises or delays.

This application (Dex II/III) is one of the few things Mobil 1 ATF is still recommended for. I have been using it since new in my Sienna and on those times where I drop the pan to clean it and the magnets, there is hardly any clutch goop or anything in the pan. For my applications it has been awesome.

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Go for the Castrol Import Multi Vehicle product, I believe that your model did NOT specify a synthetic fluid, so I would stay away from them. It isn't about the performance as much about the seals that are now very old, and that could cause leaks.

 

[boxcartommie22]

red line d4 is the very best!!!

 

[GaleHawkins]

If you are changing every 30K miles and not seeing ATF reach over 200F degrees then Dexron VI from Wal-Mart will do all ANY other brand will do for you other than tease your emotions and pocket book.

Now I am not opposed to anyone using anything they choose and have used high end stuff in the past and may do again especially for topping off one with crude ATF in it. Like with motor oil there is no empirical data to support its use over OEM specs.

Since guys have more fragile egos than the ladies our emotional needs seem so real to us.

There are exceptions to most every rule so keep that in mind. Some say using premium gas is a waste of money and most often are correct. However we have a 22 year old 454 engine that will make more HP on premium and expect it is due to the anti knock system retarding the timing on 87 octane. The rule of thumb is good unless you are trying to apply it to a finger.

 

[tommygunn]

Any of the fluids you are considering will be fine.

Other options to consider are Maxlife, and Mag 1 Low-Vis Synthetic ATF for untouchable value in synthetic ATF.

Really though, practically anything will work in that trans. Isn't it actually a GM automatic anyway? I know that most of BMW's automatic transmissions from the 90s were made by GM, and Dexron-VI is perfectly backwards-compatible with II/III.

I'm surprised that Mobil hasn't reformulated their Mobil 1 ATF to the newer low-viscosity D6/LV/WS specs yet!