Anyone know of an alternative manual transmission fluid that I can use in my 2004 Mini Cooper S 6 speed.. I've read the posts about redline but I have Walmart Canadian tire and napa to choose from..

 

Royal Purple or I used Castrol Syntec 75W-90 in my last MINI and it was fine.

 

Any idea about amsoil.. I read it was good too

 

I've used their motor oil and it was pretty good in my Jetta. Being the pioneers of synthetic oil I can't see how they would make a bad product especially since so many racing teams campaign Amsoil in their vehicles. The company is also based where I live so I have to recommend them

 

Ok thanks

 

I use Amsoil for everything except MC transmissions. Bar none, Redline MTL will make it shift the smoothest and last the longest IMO. I have heard of people changing out their fluid in the first couple hundred miles with Redline MTL and their car actually shifted smoother and quieter immediately. You can't go wrong with it, I have it in both of my cars.

 

+1

definitely recommend MTL, just not sure if where this guy is carries it.

 

If you find that shifting is a bit too stiff when it gets cold, and have a mpg drop....just drain and refil with a different product. Most of the makers websites (ryol purple, redline, amsol) lists what manfactures theire mtls are drop in replacements for...
A few folks have gone outsite this list, and found stiffness on cold days/mpg loss. Forget which of the 3 DOES NOT MAKE a product that suts the mini...but one is not "recomended" for the above reason.

 

ok so just want to verify this.. my Bentley manual shows oil specification as long life transmission oil mtf94 for the Cooper S Getrag GS6-85BG/DG as in the picture attached.. and the other picture shows the amsoil which is a direct replacement for MTF94 .. so why would BMW be telling me that I need LT-3 Oil. Any idea..

 

Some mini's were delivered with a factory limited slip differential....it was an option on 2005 years cars...cars with that option cannot use mtl...it is a different oil. To simplify, they might use the same oil on all mini's....

 

I'm thinking of swapping in a factory LSD, which oil should I use?

 

so in my particular car can I use that amsoil safely or not?

 

I called the dealer and they said my VIN shows MTF-LT3 .. I just find this so damn confusing .. If I have to use LT3 then what oil should I be purchasing

So since BMW said LT3.. Does that mean my 6 Speed Manual has a LSD from factory even thou it's a 2004 MCS

 

I would talk to the dealer and confirm whether you have an LSD or not. Start there - if they say you don't have an LSD, the regular amsoil should be fine. You can check for an LSD by lifting the front end and (trans in neutral) spin one wheel. IIRC with an open diff the opposite wheel should spin the opposite direction. With an LSD, it should spin the same direction. (hoping I don't have that backwards, but I think that's right)

 

Thanks.. Pretty sure it does have the LSD but ill verify that with the Dealership.. if infact it does.. what Oil Should i use in there? Also.. is the Bentley Manual Stating MTF94 assuming that there is No LSD and if there is an LSD is that why the Dealership may be saying MTF LT3?

I hope this doesnt sound really stupid on my part.. just trying to understand all this.

Thanks again.

 

Like i stated before, i think to prevent the wrong fluid from getting put into a car with a lsd...since the lsd fluid is backwards compatible (99% sure)....they just default to the newer, universal fluid.
It sounds like you are not sure if you have a lsd....so you can undersatnd WHY mini does this.addinding a lsd is pretty simple at a clutch change...so some folks installed them.
Since most cars use a full syenthic manual tranny fluid, unless you are a gear grinder, or have very high miles, changes are not scheduled. The reality is make sure the car is 100% level...like on a fift or jack stands on all 4 jackpads, or it may be filled to the wrong level.