Which ATF for 2002 BMW X5 e53 3.0L?

[Jerrysends]

Doing a ATF drain & fill in the "new to me" BMW 2002 X5 E53 (3.0) with 125k miles. The "lifetime fluid " is original from 24 years ago, however it shifts fine.

What fluid do you recommend instead of outdated DEX 3?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Pentosin ATF1

 

[kschachn]

Dexron-VI is the supersession license and is a good choice. I use Valvoline Maxlife in everything I own and used it in my old BMW for years.

 

[Jerrysends]

Dexron-VI is the supersession license and is a good choice. I use Valvoline Maxlife in everything I own and used it in my old BMW for years.

Was considering Valvoline Maxlife and Valvoline Dex/Merc. It's a GM 5 speed transmission.

 

[CleanSump]

Ours with the GM transmission is a 8 years later and spec'd Dex VI so I use Valvoline Dex VI specific.
I would think you choice of Maxlife or Dex/Merc would be an excellent choice substitute for Dex III.
I believe I read on the Valvoline website that Dex VI viscosity is similar to used/breaking down Dex III and that's why GM says it's a good sub. But I would go with Maxlife or Dex/Merc.

 

[kschachn]

Ours with the GM transmission is a 8 years later and spec'd Dex VI so I use Valvoline Dex VI specific.
I would think you choice of Maxlife or Dex/Merc would be an excellent choice substitute for Dex III.
I believe I read on the Valvoline website that Dex VI viscosity is similar to used/breaking down Dex III and that's why GM says it's a good sub. But I would go with Maxlife or Dex/Merc.

Yes the viscosity retention spec for -VI is more stringent.

 

[martinq]

I'd skip the MaxLife and DexVI and go with Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF if it's available to you.

Priority #1 is to drop the pan for a cleaning as the magnets are well beyond saturated by now and in a non-functional state.

 

[Egg_Head]

My E39 transmission ran well with this: