I have always used Redline products in my manual gearboxes. I use the MT90 in my 88 M3 and have been happy with it. My question is, what are you using and why? I have seen heard MTL, seen MT90 and also was recommended D4 ATF. I am leaning toward MT90 but would like some real life/world input. Thanks.

 

I use D4 ATF. But MTL and D6 ATF are also recommended by Redline. I think the direct replacement oil is D6 ATF. The main difference is viscosity,with MTL being the thickest and D6 the thinnest.

As far as Iknow, MT90 is not recommended by Redline for Mini manuals.

 

Interesting. Any reason to use the D4 ATF over the MTL?

 

MTL is the thickest oil. Can be a little difficult to shift in the winter as a dd.

D4 ATF is in the middle in terms of viscosity so it provides decent protection for the track as well as dd during the winter.

 

I figured as much. Thanks for the input. I think I may run the MTL but am considering the D4 ATF since I am in the NE.

 

Just remember that D6 ATF has the same viscosity as OEM and MTL is two viscosities thicker.

 

Thanks! I may drive it through a winter first to see how it shifts and then decide on what to use.

 

Isn't the oil on our gearboxes lifetime oil?

What reason is there to change it?

 

Lifetime oil. That is a pure marketing concept.

 

Ah i see, good to know... How often would you recommend changing it? Because i'm already at 36k miles and im pretty certain the gearbox oil hasn't been changed yet

 

The traditional recommendation is 4 years and/or 60 K miles.

 

I think how often you change it also depends on whether you track your car or not. I track my car a lot and as such, I change my gearbox oil yearly with MTL. I can't honestly say whether this is necessary or not, but it's pretty easy and the MTL is cheap compared to a new transmission.

 

BTW is correct. Some of us have changed our transmission oil because of the amount of track use.

The change is easy if you have one of those lube pumps.

 

Slinger,
I ordered the D4ATF today. I am going to give it a try. Anything that I will immediately and/or drastically notice or is it pretty negligible in feel?

 

redline is legit used to run it in my Spec V shifted like a dream

 

The shifts just seem easier, especially when it is cold. And there seems to be less gear whine. But sometimes it is hard to tell, especially when you get used to it.

 

//mflosin,

Forgot to mention, if you are doing this yourself, always remove to filler plug first before the drain plug. That ensures you can always fill the fluid.

 

I changed the manual tran fluid at 1,800 miles and replaced it with Red Line MTL fluid. Shifting was good before but even better with the MTL. I plan on changing ever 30k miles.

It is not like the tranny is going to fail with their "lifetime" lubes but I am convinced that the shifting and synchrno engagement will not be as easy at 70,000 miles without the fluid changes. Mike Miller is the technical guru that writes for Roundel - the BMWCCA magazine. He strongly recommends 30k miles on manual trans fluid and engine oil changes at every 7,500 miles or so.

If you live in a cold climate MTL is a little thicker than stock but is fine if you are careful on the first couple of shifts (don't jam it in gear). If this is a bother Mike recommends going with the lighter Red Line that is the equivalent of the stock oil. Red Line is also very helpful when you call.

 

Slinger and others -- thank you.

Slinger,
Yes...very important to do that as you will be SOL if you can't get your fill plug loose. The car only has 600 miles on it though. I have done the MT-90 in my M3 a bunch of times and always open the fill plug first.

I am planning on doing first oil change and gearbox fluid change this weekend.

 

Guys,
It's driving me crazy...I had the torque specs for the fill and drain plug(s) and cannot find the piece of paper. I think it was 33 ft-lbs for these plugs? Can anybody confirm and/or correct? Thanks!

 

I can't remember where I saw it but I thought it was 22 ft-lbs.

 

That's the torque spec for the oil drain plug but could also be the torque for the transmission plug. I thought it was a little higher though.

 

I found a mention of 32ft# here but not sure what generation MINI it is.

Check out post # 20 https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...il-how-to.html

 

Thank you very much for your effort! It appears as if that's for the 1st gen but the torque spec could very well be the same for the 2nd gen. I will set my torque wrench a little lower and see if the plug moves, then gradually increase the torque if neccessary until I see the plug just slightly move. That should confirm what the torque was set at from the manu/factory. Definitely no need to over-torque. I just like having everything torqued to spec.

 

I have a couple of questions for those who are changing their transmission fluid. How much oil do you need to change the oil? My car has a limited slip differential, do I have to use a different oil because of the LSD? I've used Redline D4 ATF in other manual transmissions but am concerned with messing up the LSD. Thanks for your help in advance.