Re: 1994 540i Auto Transmission Service and Fluid

[Vincent Poy <vince@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 20 Aug 2002, ThreedB wrote:

> on 8/19/02 10:49 PM, bmw-digest at owner-bmw-digest@domain.elided wrote:
>
> > BMW has never re-branded any RedLine products. But they had been known to
> > resell Shell and now Castrol (the current Williams BMW sponsor) products.
>
> The correct fluid is Shell LA2634.  It is unique.  I contacted Shell-Europe
> about this fluid in an attempt to obtain technical data.  They very
> carefully did NOT associate any of their other ATFs to this fluid but
> maintained its unique status.  They told me that they did not even
> distribute it to North America.  I bought some for $18/L from www.jie.com,
> just pay him and ask no questions.  An aside--The fluid appears more viscous
> than other ATFs, for what its worth.  I have some left and may get it
> chemically analyzed...

	Thanks for the website...  So am I correct you need 14 Liters of
the fluid on a 540i?  I'm wondering how much the BMW Dealers actually
charge.

> >>> Is there any thing special about it since it seems to cost
> >>> a fortune and all the BMW Performance catalogs including Bavarian
> >>> Autosport seems to sell the Redline stuff, is there anything wrong
> >>> with it.  Also, my friend asked if Slick50 ATF is a bad idea.
> >>
> >> OEM fluid only...!!!!
> >
> > Why?
> > Can you tell me the difference between Redline, Mobil-1 or re-branded OEM
> > oil?
> viscosity, shear strength, volatility,...the data sheets (if you can get
> them) tell the tale.  Actually, of the normal (not the ZF 5HP30) ATFs you
> will find the Amsoil products rule in technical specs.

	Interesting, guess there is something new you learn every day.  I
thought someone made susbstitutes that actually meets or exceeds the OEM
specs.

> > I'm yet to meet anyone who has anything good to say about Slick50 or
> > similar magic oils, so do stay away from those.
> Teflon does not coat metal parts at the temperatures seen in oil
> passageways, it can collect and clog oil passages though.  It also turns
> into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the heat of combustion though...

	So Slick50 is really just Teflon?  Too bad my uncle who is a chief
engineer at DuPont died a few years ago or I can even get more info on
Teflon.

> >>> Second : I have been monitoring this issue, since the "lifetime  fluid"
> >>> craze began , and I think it's not worth it. The manufacturer doesn't
> >>> recommend this service as a regular thing.
> To Henri-- Replace fluid for <$300 or replace the tranny for 	$6000, OF
> COURSE ITS WORTH IT!  But you know where I stand on this issue.

	That's true since it's the out of pocket expenses, the less the
better :)

> > Yep,
> > BMW NA stopped recommending transmission service in '98, exactly the year
> > they started including 'free' 3 year/36K mile service with new cars.
> > Prior to '98, transmission fluid flush was a part of Inspection II.
> > Draw your own conclusions.
> Ooooo, very interesting tidbit!


Cheers,
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