2001 325i automatic transmission service, ATF fluid& advice

I have searched and searched this forum and others and have found conflicting information on automatic transmission services I need your guys advice. First off my 2001 325i has 119,000 miles, I want to change the fluid, I do not know if the car has had the fluid changed previously. To change it or not too change it is the question?? What do you guys think? I realize it's high to change and its best not to change it after 90k miles but whst would you do? The trans seems to shift pretty decent I just want to maintain it properly. Next question, ATF fluid, I know the factory Fluid is the esso fluid it's extremely expensive I think I will use Valvoline mercon V ATF fluid. I would really love you the pros advice, any tips or things you have noticed. Thank you!! Oh lastly put the car on 4 jack stands right?

As long as you just change the fluid aka no power flush crap just a normal fluid change and make sure you use the correct fluid theres not danger to changing the fluid even at 500,000 miles.

If it dies the next year, trust me it was going to die then anyway.

As for the fluid are you sure your car uses the esso fluid? Theres 2 different types of fluid used based on the transmission in your car. The sticker on the bottom of the pan will tell you which trans you have and then you will know which fluid to get.

I'm not sure when I jack it up I'll check :-)