I am a few thousand miles away from draining my tranny fluid (Mercon V) on my 03' Ford Focus automatic.

I'm considering going to a full synthetic... instead of Mercon V...mainly for longer OCI's. Or...should I just stay with Mercon V and 30K OCI's? Also...would you suggest installing a Magnafine Transmission when doing the change?

Your suggestions and experience with the above Syn ATF's would be appreciated.
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03' Ford Focus SE Auto (2.3L Duratec) / 94K
M1 5w20EP / OCI: 1 yr. or 10K / M1 EP 102 Filter

If you go longer ATF OCI's, you need a Magnafine, Permacool, or Racor ATF filter.

Stick with your Mercon-V and 30k intervals if you don't want to install additional filtration.

Any of the full synthetics would be an excellent choice. Coin toss.

I would switch to synthetic and install a Magnafine which should allow you to go 50 or 60K between ATF changes. My Buick runs great on Mobil 1 ATF. The 3 synthetics that you've listed are all excellent but I'd probably choose Redline.

I used to run 60K on Amsoil on my Civic with no filter and never had a problem at all. Now my CR-V does indeed have a "secret" filter that Honda doesn't tell you about in-line.
More filtration is better I'd assume; just relaying my positive experience without one.

I think Amsoil makes a great ATF.

Can't comment on performance, but I've never smelled anything so bad in my life as Mobil 1 ATF. I'm not sure I could leave the cap off the bottle long enough to use it without losing my lunch. I've smelled lots of stinky gear oils and ATF, but this stuff is beyond belief.

I like Red Line D4, personally.

I've used M1 ATF for as long as they have made it, and it does very well in all of the Fords I have put in. 40K with M1 is pretty much the OCI I use.

I've used M1 ATF in my 98 Toyota Camry V6 for 60k / 4 years and have had great results. Super smooth shifts in all temps and conditions even near the end of my OCI. I replaced it with Amsoil and am liking that as well. (obviously the shift quality is better because its new fluid) 198k on the original tranny and filter.

I've never used Redline's ATF because its hard to get and becomes even more expensive with a shipping charge.

I say you go for whatever is easier to get. They are all excellent oils, in my opinion.

I thought MercV was synthetic?

Of those, I use AMSoil ATF and would use Redline. Redline is my first choice in a MTF.

My preference for that AT would be for more MercV or an OTC mfg spec ATF, like +4 if compatible or definitely MaxLife as maybe the very best choice.

Redline D4. I have personally used it for years in many different applications.

Thanks for all you comments and advice. Like someone said... "its a coin toss".

Decided to go with the M1 ATF...although (after doing some research) I think the Amsoil product might be a bit superior.

The reason I'm going to M1 Syn ATF is....its about 25% to 30% cheaper than Amsoil....easily available locally... some good reports from some BITOG guys whom I respect...and the Amsoil product is just to much of a hastle to obtain (cost & shipping etc.).

I plan on putting on a Magnafine filter and doing 40K to 50K OCI.
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Ford Focus (2.3L Duratec) / 94K
M1 5w20EP / M1 EP 102 Filter / 1 Yr. or 10K OCI

Just curious how much $ M1 ATF is in Bend?

$7.29 a quart....I'll need 7 quarts.

You'll like the M1 ATF. I've used it for years in my Ranger, which calls for Mercon V