I just purchased an 03 MCS with 41K miles on it & have changed the fluids, filters & spark plugs (trust me, they all needed it). My next service was going to be the tranny oil, but my local MINI delaer (which is 4 hours away) advised me to never change the tranny oil & if it needed fluid, I was only to use their MTF-94 in my 6-speed getrag tranny (the cost of the dealer fluid is $60). Local Tranny shops say that not replacing the tranny fluid will result in the premature replacement of my tranny ($4-5K). To compound the issue, my local tranny shop's tech line advised to only use MTF-94 in the MINIs they service (whioch they would have to order from the same dealer).

I read a lot about Redline MTL fluid and I'm curious if this is a solid alternative to the dealer's MTF-94 (the MTL is synthetic & the MTF-94 isn't - according to the dealership I talked to). Also, the Redline fluid will only cost me $30. Will the Redline MTL harm my tranny? Has anyone out there used it for an extended period of time with positive/negative results to post?

 

I've had the RedLine MTL in my R50 for over a year now and not a single problem. A lot of people use it, and like me, never have an issue. Look at it this way, BMW also reccomends going 10-15k miles before an oil change. Do you trust that as well?

 

Thanks for the input - that's probably the way I'll go.

 

the MTL is synthetic & the MTF-94 isn't - according to the dealership I talked to

MTF-94 is synthetic- The Land Rover (made to be used in manual tranny Disco) people say to use Amsoil or Red line as a replacement. I have had it in for a year with out anyproblems.

 

I switched over to the Redline about 4,000 miles ago, and I swear Emily's shifts are a little smoother.
I agree completely with Hemihead's comment about BMW's oil-change interval. The oil may (or may not) last 10-12,000 miles, but I doubt the oil filter will still perform adequately.
Just my $0.02....

 

MTL works well in the six speed and is easy to change. I have had it in for 20K with very smooth shifts.
I plan to change mine every 25K.

 

Thanks for the input. I just ordered some RL MTL today!

 

I've always wondered about the tranny oil...
As for the 10,000 to 15,000 interval... I agree, don't trust it! At the very least, CHECK the oil level on a regular basis. I've found that I'm needing to add some from time to time to keep it between the dipstick marks. I'm at 71,900 miles.

 

Update - I just changed the tranny fluid (20-30 minute job) using the Redline MTL. Word to the wise, invest in a $4 fluid pump from your local auto parts store (I'm glad I did). I test drove my MCS and noticed an immediate improvement (much smoother).

 

About 6 weeks ago I changed OEM fluid (with over 145K miles) to Royal Purple Synchromax, as that was what was immediately available to me. I didn't notice any real improvement in notchiness, and no improvement in mild intermittant roughness in 1-2 and 2-3 which I attributed to high mileage synchros.

On my last trip to the dealer for a different issue (more than 2 hours away) I tried to buy some OEM fluid but they wouldn't sell it unless I brought a container, which of course I didn't have with me.

Decided this weekend to try Amsoil Synchromesh, as it is claimed by Amsoil to be a specific replacement for the OEM fluid. (RP does not make this claim AFAIK) What a tremendous difference! Notchiness much better, synchros working smoothly. Overall I'm very pleased with the improvement.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll look into it when I change it next time.

 

I changed my 03 MC to Amsoil about a year ago...immediately noticed smoother shifting, and the original fliud needed changing judging from it's appearance.

 

I have 44k and had it changed today. The tech who serviced my car (I go to a Subaru dealer still; I was a Subie guy in my past life) said it was the blackest dirtiest oil he has seen. I can't believe BMW does not want you to change it. Anyway, the car shifts much smoothly now. I plan on changing it every 30k which for me is every year.

 

I'm running Amsoil in my midlands right now and had Redline in before and would say they are both good and way smoother than the OEM Texaco MTF94 semisynthetic