Alternatives to the expensive Esso LT71141 automatic transmission oil

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7 Series E38 Forum

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Subject: Alternatives to the expensive Esso LT71141 automatic transmission oil
Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 12931 posts
Posted on: 2010-06-30 07:14:23

If you know of cheaper outlets to purchase these products, please post the links here.

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF

Valvoline MaxLife ATF (see also letter from Valvoline asserting compatibility with the Esso LT71141 oil). I have personally used this in my '97 740iL for a couple of years now with no ill effects.

VW/Audi transmission fluid with the part number G-052-162-A2. This is the same stuff as the Esso oil, just repackaged under the VW/Audi label, but it's quite a bit less expensive than buying it from a BMW dealer. The last two digits indicate the bottle size (A1 = 1/2 liter, A2 = 1 liter, A6 = 20 liters).

Castrol Import Multivehicle ATF

And, IMHO, the BG synthetic transmission fluid is fine to use, too, and they offer an extended warranty on your transmission if you have the first service done before a certain number of miles and follow up with periodic services (see Lifetime BG Protection Plan)

Here is the official oil recommendation chart for various BMW transmissions. Look in the "E38" section to see the factory-recommended Esso LT71141 oil.

David Cecil
Lexington, KY
Titanium silver '01 750iL, 92k miles
Oxford green '97 740iL, 184k miles
Alpine white '92 750iL, 95k miles (for sale)
Charcoal gray '86 735i, 101k miles (for sale)

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The 7 Series E38 Forum | Message Thread:

Alternatives to the expensive Esso LT71141 automatic transmission oil (pic) (url) - DavidC 2010-06-30 07:14:23 (7372 views)
- These fluids are listed as replacements, are there problems mixing them? - sixspeedbmw 2010-07-01 06:10:20 (356 views)
  - Based solely on personal experience, I don't think there are any problems - DavidC 2010-07-04 07:36:09 (288 views)
  - Unless you enjoy paying thorugh the nose for ATF, I recommend - pdef1949 2010-07-01 09:10:59 (404 views)
- Red Line D4 (url) - sixspeedbmw 2010-07-01 06:04:29 (277 views)
- Have filtran filter in hand - BJames38 2010-06-30 22:17:49 (221 views)
- Castrol Import ATF has LT71141 listed as exceeding the - stonecloser 2010-06-30 15:45:47 (548 views)
  - I have just been seeing Castrol Import ATF in stores and I read - pdef1949 2010-06-30 20:51:32 (275 views)
  - +1 4 months and shifting great! (nt) - dj37027 2010-06-30 16:55:04 (235 views)
  - Castrol Link (url) - stonecloser 2010-06-30 15:48:21 (278 views)
    - Good info. I've added it to the list. (nt) - DavidC 2010-06-30 18:23:46 (203 views)
- Re: Alternatives to the expensive Esso LT71141 automatic transmission oil - kirt koeller 2010-06-30 12:30:12 (492 views)
  - Kirt, what do you put in the units you rebuild? - eze740il 2010-07-01 06:32:02 (241 views)
  - koeller seal of approval! Know that is confirmation!! Thanks David C. (nt) - bghark 2010-06-30 14:09:08 (222 views)
- I have about 95% Maxlife in my tranny and about 35k miles - henry 2010-06-30 11:35:42 (254 views)
- Also see my tranny flush post for details on the Max life (nt) - Edwin™ 2010-06-30 10:10:26 (252 views)
  - My 5HP18 tranny is 15, 78K miles and never been flushed. Should it be? - RobinK 2010-06-30 10:18:04 (287 views)
    - It's not a bad idea to at least drain and refill with fresh ATF, - pdef1949 2010-06-30 10:27:04 (247 views)
      - I'll get it done then. Thanks for the advice! (nt) - RobinK 2010-06-30 10:40:54 (183 views)
        
        HINT: drive over to see me, then we go to ZF and have the body done also (nt) - Edwin™ 2010-06-30 12:18:06 (182 views)
        
        Don't forget, he's trapped on an island This poor E38 will never see the - Wiggi 2010-06-30 15:34:17 (170 views)
        
        He did promise he would make it over here some day..... could be on a trailer - Edwin™ 2010-06-30 15:49:52 (150 views)
        
        The trailer depends on exactly how fecked the car would be! - RobinK 2010-07-01 08:31:38 (146 views)
        Have to do a ferry to the UK, then another to Netherlands.... - RobinK 2010-07-01 08:27:00 (137 views)
        Maybe he can do this with a BMW: (pic) - Wiggi 2010-06-30 16:06:46 (234 views)
        
        Re: Maybe he can do this with a BMW: - kerrys740il 2010-06-30 22:31:25 (154 views)
        
        It's gonna happen sometime (nt) - RobinK 2010-06-30 13:00:43 (175 views)
        
        Agree with Phil..... dump/fill would be fine. - eaglecomm 2010-06-30 10:51:14 (178 views)
        
        Agree on the misconception - at least, I've been mixing them up for sure. - RobinK 2010-06-30 12:59:25 (174 views)
        
        Sorry, didn't mean to suggest don't do filter. I also think thats ok. - eaglecomm 2010-06-30 13:35:51 (155 views)
        
        Yup, meant two ticks 'on' - one for each item (nt) - RobinK 2010-06-30 14:17:25 (145 views)
- Sources for alternatives - pdef1949 2010-06-30 09:31:53 (245 views)
- Re: Alternatives to the expensive Esso LT71141 automatic transmission oil - duffdr 99 750il 2010-06-30 08:42:31 (276 views)

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