Doing P/s fluid and reservoir

[saace7]

I am looking for a new reservoir and noticed on realOEM.com part #32411097164 has ended and replaced by #32416851217 but that part calls for CHF 11.S power steering fluid systems. Does this mean we do not put ATF in our car for the p/s anymore? do i use CHF 11.S fluids?

I have an 04 330i

[kayger12]

NO! Definitely use ATF.

Click through to Autohaus AZ (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-4193730-10701773) and look for the ZF reservoir. It's about $20 bucks.

[saace7]

The ZF brand is the part number that realoem states has ended. I guess it doesn't matter?

[kayger12]

Nope. Just installed the ZF from Ahaus a few months back.

[saace7]

Great! thanks for the speedy info!

here is a link to realoem just so you can peak at what had me raise questions. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=32_0957&hg=32&fg=20

[kayger12]

Sure thing.

I see what you're talking about. Seems they have the CHF and then an ATF under it. Definitely confusing.

[wsmeyer]

Looks to me that after 03/2011 they stopped making the ones that say ATF on them and the listing for our cars then says:

only in conjunction with
Label, oil container-power steering pump

My X5 requires CHF 11.S so I'm just guessing but I'll bet they use our same reservoir on later cars that use the CHF 11.S and they are now only making reservoirs that say CHF 11.S and older cars like ours get a sticker.

[kayger12]

Makes sense.

[wsmeyer]

This brings up several questions:

What is the difference?
What happens if you mix them?
CHF 11s cost about 2.5x as much, is it better?

I did some quick Googling and I haven't found anything definitive yet, I did find one guy that claimed they are compatible and the CHF 11S being thinner would yeild heavier steering. That would be nice.

I also found a pic of the sticker setup:

8934

That works about as well as I would expect on an oily part.

[kayger12]

I've read some say they're incompatible. Others say they're mixable.

I'll stick with ATF and no worries.

Definitely interested in any info you discover.

[saace7]

hijacking my own thread here... I'm also doing the VCG. I'm stuck between two types of gaskets. The BMW genuine $44 and the CRP brand which is $34. Is the 10 extra bucks worth going genuine

[kayger12]

BMW seals generally suck anyway. Don't know that it really matters.

I went Victor Reinz on mine. No issues.

[saace7]

Good deal. Im going to save the 10 and put it towards the shipping. ;)

[kayger12]

Good plan.

[Dave1027]

CRP? It's only an "a" away from being crap. In this case I'd stay with BMW brand. That's just way too coincidental.

[kayger12]

Lol, if any seals are known to be crap, it's genuine bmw. 40k mile vcgs, 20k mile vanos seals. Ofhg, and on, and on... I'd happily take my chances with crp.

Sent from the last Next Best Thing via Tt4beta

[saace7]

Well the order is in... I'll be trying the CRP. I guess wish me luck. lol the CRP looks like it is shaped better to fit the valve cover. Once I get it in next week I'll give a little report on how it installed and sealed.