Esso LT 71141 Lifetime trans fluid question?

[BigKriss]

How much is it in the USA and where is it available. I need 4L of the stuff for a 5hp18 (a5s 310z) auto trans gearbox. I can only purchase 20L barrel in australia at a cost of aud$380 delivered. The dealer will only sell it in a 20L barrel also. I assume I will use 4L max to replace the old fluid. I talked to Phil Sanderson and mattyb, both of these gentlemen don't want to service their 540i auto transmissions, so what am I to do with 16L of auto trans fluid?

Edit: I assume I can't use normal dexron 3 fluid and mix it with the lifetime trans fluid.

[myles]

I did a service on a zf 5hp18 and used castrol transmax z. It's done several thousand Ks now without fault. Its actually much more smooth than the original fluid. The box was on a 94 car, so it was before they started labeling the fuild as "lifetime" fluid.
I have done the same to my 98 318is, which is "lifetime" fluid, but it is a manual box and I used Redline MTL. Same good results on it.

[Scott H]

in the long run! ;)


How much is it in the USA and where is it available. I need 4L of the stuff for a 5hp18 (a5s 310z) auto trans gearbox. I can only purchase 20L barrel in australia at a cost of aud$380 delivered. The dealer will only sell it in a 20L barrel also. I assume I will use 4L max to replace the old fluid. I talked to Phil Sanderson and mattyb, both of these gentlemen don't want to service their 540i auto transmissions, so what am I to do with 16L of auto trans fluid?

Edit: I assume I can't use normal dexron 3 fluid and mix it with the lifetime trans fluid.

[BigKriss]

Its for an e36 328i, the usa dudes run a GM gearbox, while the aussies get an ZF - similar to the usa e36 m3. Its my mums car, so no changing this one Scott.


in the long run! ;)

[liquidtiger720]

I just pay $100 to drop the pan, change the filter, and then fill it back up with new stuff - all I know is that its penzoil.hahaha.

Of course...I only have about 6000 miles on it after the change. But it shifts STRONG and SOLID.

[Bill R.]

dexronhttp://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/transfluid1.jpg





I just pay $100 to drop the pan, change the filter, and then fill it back up with new stuff - all I know is that its penzoil.hahaha.

Of course...I only have about 6000 miles on it after the change. But it shifts STRONG and SOLID.

[632 Regal]

if its a 5hp-18 shouldnt it take regular dextron III ?

[Bill R.]

special fluidshttp://www.bimmernut.com/%7Ebillr/images/zftransfluid-1.jpg




I did a service on a zf 5hp18 and used castrol transmax z. It's done several thousand Ks now without fault. Its actually much more smooth than the original fluid. The box was on a 94 car, so it was before they started labeling the fuild as "lifetime" fluid.
I have done the same to my 98 318is, which is "lifetime" fluid, but it is a manual box and I used Redline MTL. Same good results on it.

[pundit]

Penrite make fluid to suit the 5HP 18 trans... ATF-BMV (http://www.penritedata.com/au/db/vehiclewizard4_s.php?cid=9&make=BMW&category=pvehiclespost80&id=66&x=226&y=13)

Here's the PDF (http://www.penrite.com.au/files/9KBD3CE5XK/ATFBMV.pdf).

[BigKriss]

thanks Rowan. I scared of using it though. I wonder waht Bill R says though?


Penrite make fluid to suit the 5HP 18 trans... ATF-BMV (http://www.penritedata.com/au/db/vehiclewizard4_s.php?cid=9&make=BMW&category=pvehiclespost80&id=66&x=226&y=13)

Here's the PDF (http://www.penrite.com.au/files/9KBD3CE5XK/ATFBMV.pdf).

[liquidtiger720]

Nice! :)

[Bill R.]

if it were up to me i wouldn't take a chance on her transmission and would only run the specified esso fluid. Here you can get prices on the fluid (http://www.peterschmid.com/)
and here from Jaeggi (http://www.jie.com/trans/bmwtrans.htm)
Or you can check this link for more info also (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/5727194-1.html)



thanks Rowan. I scared of using it though. I wonder waht Bill R says though?

[Ausmpower]

Try a different dealer.... I'm at Auto Classic here in W.a and we'll sell it by the litre but the customer has to provide the container.

[Russell]

I used Mobil I Dexron III on my last trany filter/fluid change for my 95 525i. Hope it was a good choice. Seems Ok as it has been in for 15,000 miles. No real change in shifting warm or cold with this fluid.

I try to change fluid every 30,000 miles. Glad I do not have the lifetime stuff.

[swenpro]

For anyone who's interested...

Kirt Koeller told me that the Esso LT71141, which can be purchased in 20 liter quantities, is also available at VW/Audi dealers who repackage the same Esso fluid in Pentosin containers called “G052162A2” which should only be ~$11/liter (comes in 12 liter packs). Countryside VW Autobarn by me quoted $15.22/liter for the G052162A2 fluid, which is still cheaper than the BMW alternative.

[Bill R.]

esso, The pentosin is available from numerous places online. Here's the post that claims its not the same (http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/5727194-1.html)

Here's a listing for the pentosin online that states that it crosses over to that vw audi number but i would personally not buy the pentosin and instead would make sure that if i bought it from vw/audi that it was in their bottles with their part number. But either way it doesn't matter to me because when mine comes due i'm going to buy from jaggi or peter schmidt or one of the other ZF suppliers to make sure that i get the right stuff. A few dollars difference isn't going to matter to me knowing that i put the correct fluid in.





For anyone who's interested...

Kirt Koeller told me that the Esso LT71141, which can be purchased in 20 liter quantities, is also available at VW/Audi dealers who repackage the same Esso fluid in Pentosin containers called “G052162A2” which should only be ~$11/liter (comes in 12 liter packs). Countryside VW Autobarn by me quoted $15.22/liter for the G052162A2 fluid, which is still cheaper than the BMW alternative.