What Automatic Transmission Fluid should I use?

I have a 2004 BMW 330xi with the GM A5s390r transmission. I want to change my transmission fluid because my car has 94,000 miles now. What ATF should I use? I heard Redline D4 is good and also Valvoline VV370 DEXRON-VI. Would both of these work? And would you recommend any other ATF fluids?

Redline D4- http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-30504...smission+fluid

Valvoline VV370 DEXRON-VI- http://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-DEXR...smission+fluid

Thank you

Edit: I also noticed there is a Redline D6 ATF... whats the difference from D4 to D6

Redline D4 is preferred by most. That's what I use. Since you can't drain the trans 100% you should match the fluid as close as possible.

So D4> Dexron 6? why not D6? not the same stuff?

This guy in this video says to go with Dextron 6

Im torn between the two fluids... i want the best for my black beauty lol

I don't know enough to say which is better. However, the threads I've read through point to D4.

Originally Posted by Rickna

I don't know enough to say which is better. However, the threads I've read through point to D4.

Alright thanks for your input man. I will wait for a few more replies from others before i make my decision

I had seen a post where different ATF's were analyzed in a lab. Redline D4 was closest to the original ATF.

Bmw has superceded fluid with dexron 6

Sent from my MB860 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by ummwillprince

Bmw has superceded fluid with dexron 6

Sent from my MB860 using Bimmer App

Would the Valvoline dextron 6 work? I have a Amazon gift card so i have to get what amazon has.. and thats either Valvoline dextron 6 or redline D4

Originally Posted by B-Sho

Would the Valvoline dextron 6 work? I have a Amazon gift card so i have to get what amazon has.. and thats either Valvoline dextron 6 or redline D4

Should be good to go, I just did mine last weekend with Valvoline's Dexron 6. Here's the link where people were discussing what fluid to replace the Texaco ETL with:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...etl-8072b.html

I have driven 200 miles since last weekend and so far it seems smooth, and no more lag in the mornings going from Reverse to Drive. I wasn't able to do the flush last weekend, so I bought some more ATF and will do a proper flush this weekend if I can get my compression fitting off.

Just make sure to do the filling procedure correctly, I messed up and shut the car off after I filled. But to correctly fill the car has to be in Park and fluid has to be between 85 and 120 degrees. Here is the link to the flush, there is debate on whether to flush or just drain and fill:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...smission+flush

PS: It is 8 dollars a quart at Kragen, Oreilly

Originally Posted by ummwillprince

Should be good to go, I just did mine last weekend with Valvoline's Dexron 6. Here's the link where people were discussing what fluid to replace the Texaco ETL with:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...etl-8072b.html

I have driven 200 miles since last weekend and so far it seems smooth, and no more lag in the mornings going from Reverse to Drive. I wasn't able to do the flush last weekend, so I bought some more ATF and will do a proper flush this weekend if I can get my compression fitting off.

Just make sure to do the filling procedure correctly, I messed up and shut the car off after I filled. But to correctly fill the car has to be in Park and fluid has to be between 85 and 120 degrees. Here is the link to the flush, there is debate on whether to flush or just drain and fill:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...smission+flush

PS: It is 8 dollars a quart at Kragen, Oreilly

Thanks dude. Good info. And your BMW did the same thing mine is doing!!! like i reverse out of my driveway and i put it in drive and when i accelerate it slips for like 5 seconds and it kicks in.. after the car is warmed up it doesnt do it at all... so yours doesnt slip at all anymore? i hope this transmission fluid fixes my problem.. if not.. im going to sell it because i dont feel like messing with replacing the whole automatic transmission...

Go to Amzoil.com ...get the universal transmission fluid. It is fully synthetic...and it replaces all dextron synthetic types. They even have a phone number that you can call and they will make sure you get the correct fluid.

Originally Posted by B-Sho

Thanks dude. Good info. And your BMW did the same thing mine is doing!!! like i reverse out of my driveway and i put it in drive and when i accelerate it slips for like 5 seconds and it kicks in.. after the car is warmed up it doesnt do it at all... so yours doesnt slip at all anymore? i hope this transmission fluid fixes my problem.. if not.. im going to sell it because i dont feel like messing with replacing the whole automatic transmission...

My car exhibited the same behavior and the reprogramming TSB that was for 2003+ vehicles resolved my issue entirely. No fluid change.

Traded in My 2004 BMW 330xi for a 2012 Mazda3 skyactiv that gets 40mpg. Im tired of having a non reliable car, and bmw's parts are way to expensive. Im staying on the Japanese brands for even after my Mazda. Cheap parts, good on gas, and reliable.

Originally Posted by B-Sho

Traded in My 2004 BMW 330xi for a 2012 Mazda3 skyactiv that gets 40mpg. Im tired of having a non reliable car, and bmw's parts are way to expensive. Im staying on the Japanese brands for even after my Mazda. Cheap parts, good on gas, and reliable.

Originally Posted by RCase

My car exhibited the same behavior and the reprogramming TSB that was for 2003+ vehicles resolved my issue entirely. No fluid change.

Could you please post which TSB this was. Went to the dealer for the 2/1 hard downshift and the SA couldn't find one for our '05 325xi.

Thanks

Originally Posted by B-Sho

I have a 2004 BMW 330xi with the GM A5s390r transmission. I want to change my transmission fluid because my car has 94,000 miles now. What ATF should I use? I heard Redline D4 is good and also Valvoline VV370 DEXRON-VI. Would both of these work? And would you recommend any other ATF fluids?

Redline D4- http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-30504...smission+fluid

Valvoline VV370 DEXRON-VI- http://www.amazon.com/Valvoline-DEXR...smission+fluid

Thank you

Edit: I also noticed there is a Redline D6 ATF... whats the difference from D4 to D6

I have same tranny, have this in mine for about 8000 miles runs smoother and some bmwdealers are selling this at a much higher price

http://matrixsyntheticoils.com/store...on_vi_atf.html

i run d4

Just changed fluid and filter this weekend - Put in close to 6 quarts of Valvoline Dexron 6.

Tranny didn't implode, explode, or go up in smoke. To the best of my knowledge, shifts just as it did before.

Personally, I didn't notice any viscosity differences between original (used) fluid (Texaco spec'd), and Dex6.

Original fluid came out looking like dirty motor oil. Perhaps not quite as black.

87,000 miles, 05 325xi.