Remember all the hub bub about lifetime transmission fluid ?
 

I find it interesting that now, when you cross BMW's pn# for BMW lifetime transmission fluid, it crosses over to good old Dexron VI.
BMW lifetime transmission fluid, is now just good old fashioned chevy pick up truck transmission fluid. At least for the GM based units . Not positive about ZF units yet .
20$ per quart vs 6$.
I find changing fluids very difficult these days with all the different oil grades, weights, and all the different trans, diff, power steering, and coolant requirements . I always, check , and double check the tags on whatever unit I am working to make sure I get it right .
Last couple of BMW's I did, I was surprised to see it calling for Dex 6, even though I drained out that stinky yellow stuff .
I bet everything out there would run just fine on good old green coolant, 5w30, and dex/ merc trans fluid .

I had a 2006 Durango. 3 months after I had the transmission fluid changed, the transmission went bad on me. Checking the Internet at the time, general consensus was that this transmission was bullet proof, as long as the right transmission fluid was used. Unfortunately, I had gotten rid of the car before realizing that there might be some recourse for me.

What year BMW are you finding this on? X3?

I think all the ZF trans call for Lifeguard fluid, was looking into this for the E60, found some that have the equivalent spec (Shell M-1375.4) and much less then what I would pay for ZF Lifeguard 6 dealer wanted $30 Litre, Amsoil signature series ATF blue bottle, Valvoline Max Life synthetic, Pentosin ATF 1 are a couple of them.

x10

Makes stocking fluids a pain. I never seem to have the right stuff when I need it.

MB approves Valvoline max life, which is what i use every 30k.
Zerex gold for coolant.

I know on my XK ZF made it known that "life time" meant not more than 60,000 miles.

However, there are likely a lot of owners that do not know.

It will make the used car market on such cars a real pain in the future.

I wouldn't want to buy a car that the owner wasn't aware "life time" didn't need changing.

The OEM oil spec for my Jaguar isn't sold in the U.S., that is a fun one as well.

On direct injection engines(A year newer than my Jaguar), Jaguar changed the oil spec.
It leads to a lot of owners complaining the ears off at service departments when they notice that the oil weight on the bill doesn't match the owners manual.

Are the synthetic fluids able to cover a more broad spectrum of requirements? I used a synthetic substitute for a ridiculously over-priced OEM recently. It was 1/2 the money and has an established, successful track record for this application.

Where is MD Holloway when you need him ?

With roof girl?SmileWavy;)

Green coolant bad for diesels!!