Decided to rehaul this post to serve better information from the start.

The OEM fluid is MTF-LT-4, which is a 75w80-90 GL4 manual transmission fluid. Any trans fluid that fits in those specs will do. I chose Amsoil MTF 75w90 GL4 for my purposes. Warning: do the research yourself to make sure what fluid your specific car needs.

This is a very simple job - I was led to believe by the dealership that this required dropping the subframe and all other sorts of expensive nonsense, but this is completely untrue. This is the same fill and drain plug on a trans for any other car, and it's simple and easy to access at that. I'll also say there is no such thing as a lifetime fluid for cars.

How-To Posted Here:

2007-2013 Mini Cooper Transmission Fluid Change How-To


This is my trans fluid at 3k miles on my '13:



This was my trans fluid at 91,250 on my '08

 

IMO it's only 'lifetime' due to the high cost of change by a dealer.

I use MTF94 75W/80 (which is a type not a brand and isn't claimed to be synthetic) and intend to change it approx. every 2yrs myself. It's very, very easy and cheap to do. My last bottles came from a local Land Rover dealer. Honda use it too.

I've already done it on my current MCS and the gear change continues to be silky smooth even when cold!

Trans. fluids seem to be a 'dark art' known and practised exclusively by MINI dealers. I think it's encouraged to stop us d-I-ying and continue to pour money into dealer pockets. Are Getrag unique to MINI? - Not at all...

 

I believe the 07+ non S Coopers with the 6 speed manual take BMW MTF-LT-4.
Don't know of a direct aftermarket substitute for that spec.
The 07 Cabrio Coopers with the 5 speed take MTF-94 which is like Redline MTL.

 

My '08 MCS hatch was stickered MTF-LT-04 near the gearbox (orange?).
My '09 MCS hatch was stickered MTF-94 (light green?).
And my '12 MCS hatch has no sticker anywhere near the 'box to advise!

MTF94 has a very characteristic smell. When my dealer told me they'd topped up my gear oil by 0.5l (I originally put 2l in when the fill level was said to be 1.9l; and some seemed to run out) it had exactly the same smell. I'm confident I've replaced like-with-like and I have no niggling doubts for my situation, unless we both got it wrong. BUT try asking the dealer/'parts person' for info. on this They sell what it says in the book or on the packet. No further thought.

Why on Earth should they think 'outa the box'? That's the attitude in the UK.

 

exactly.. 75w80? i dont think i have access to that one

lol.. i was just wondering what those mtf's from bmw translated into normal stuff, ie 75w90 or something.. 75w80.. not sure i'll have to check (i usually run amsoil almost exclusively in my cars)

 

You can use the application guide on amsoil.com ("I need products for ... -> dropdown menus).
Here's what you get for a 2nd gen plain Cooper (N12B16A engine):
Note - the GS6-55BG manual and the GA6F21WA automatic are the ones that go with this engine.
The GS5-52BG manual and the GACVT16Z auto go with the gen 1 engine 2007 Cabrio Cooper.

2007 MINI COOPER 1.6L 4-cyl Engine Code N12B16A
LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS: Lookup Another Vehicle
Engine Oil
Grade 1......SEO[1]
Synthetic 5W-40 European Oil (EFMQT) All TEMPS......5W-40, 5W-30
Manual Transmission,GS6-55BG......GLS [2] [3]
All TEMPS......
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Manual Transmission,GS5-52BG......GLS [4]
All TEMPS......
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Automatic Transmission,GA6F21WA......TIV [5]
Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATFQT)
Automatic Transmission,GACVT16Z......VTF [6]
No AMSOIL Product Recommendation
Fluids
Brake Fluid......HBH
AMSOIL Brake Fluid DOT-4 (BF4SN)
Power Steering Fluid......PS
Power Steering Fluid (PSFCN)
Clutch Fluid......HBH
AMSOIL Brake Fluid DOT-4 (BF4SN)
[1] MINI Synthetic Oil SAE 5W-30, P/N 07 51 0 143 829.
If unavailable MINI recommends an oil carrying one of
following oil specifications: > Preferred: BMW Longlife-01
> Alternative: BMW Longlife-98, BMW Long life or ACEA A3.
[2] Use BMW gear box oil MTF-LT-4.
[3] To determine the correct gear box oil, check the sticker on
the transmission. Manual gear box oil MTF-LT-3 is marked
with a blue sticker. Manual gear box oil MTF-LT-4 is marked
with a yellow sticker. Do not mix MTF-LT-3 with MTF-LT-4.
[4] Use MTF LT-3 Lifetime Fluid part no. 83 22 7 533 818.
[5] Use BMW P/N 83 22 2 220 438 (1 Liter), or P/N 83 22 2 220
440 (20 liter).
[6] Esso CVT EZL 799 Fluid, MINI Part no. 83 22 0 136 376
FILTERS:
Oil Filter MANN Oil Filter (HU71151x)
Air Filter MANN Air Filter (C5082) [1]
Air Filter MANN Air Filter (C37100) [2]
Cabin Air Filter WIX 24758 Cabin Air Filter (0) [3]
[1] Manual gearbox
[2] Automatic gearbox
[3] Charcoal Impregnated; Not all models may be outfitted with a cabin air filter. Please verify before ordering.
NGK PLUGS AND WIRESETS:
No Recommendations
WIPER BLADES:
Blade Class Driver Passenger
ExactFit T181 T191
NeoForm T16180 T16190
Winter T37180 T37190
CHASSIS LUBRICATION:
CAPACITIES:
Engine, with filter..........4.4 quarts [1]
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........6.6 quarts
AMSOIL Antifreeze and Engine Coolant
Automatic Transmission, GACVT16Z Initial Fill..........5.3 quarts
Automatic Transmission, GA6F21WA Initial Fill..........4.2 quarts
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
speed GACVT16Z..........Not Specified
6 speed GA6F21WA..........6.3 quarts
Manual Transmission, GS5-52BG..........3.6 pints
Manual Transmission, GS6-55BG..........3.6 pints
[1] After refill check oil level.
TORQUES:
Oil Drain Plug.....18 ft/lbs
Manual Transmission 6-SPD
Fill Plug 28-34 ft/lbs
Drain Plug 28-34 ft/lbs
Manual Transmission GS5-52BG
Fill Plug 28-34 ft/lbs
Drain Plug 28-34 ft/lbs
Manual Transmission GS5-65BH
Fill Plug 22-29 ft/lbs
Drain Plug 22-29 ft/lbs

 

^ that's what I used, which came up with nothing for manual trans.. if it's 75w80 that's probably why, though I could probably get away with 75w90

Do you guys know if the BMW fluid is GL4 or GL5

 

Here is the MTF - LT 4 : its 75w-90 . You can see it in the picture.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/83220421925/ES197407/



MTF 94 : 75W80

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/83220403247/


Redline recommends MTL 70w80 for MTF 94

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES1502/


Redline has no recommendation for MTF- LT 4 at this time.

Hope that helps and let me know if you need anything else.

 

Perfect.. if the base cooper uses MTF - LT4 than any 75w90 should be fine. is it GL4 or GL5 though? I thiiiiink I see GL4 in the pic, in which case Amsoils manual trans fluid is exactly what the spec is

 

You are welcome.

Here is the MTF - LT 4 : its 75w-90 : API GL3, GL4 You can just make it out in the picture.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/83220421925/ES197407/



Let me know if you need anything else. We carry Red line , Royal Purple , and all OEM MINI manual transmission Oil .



Thanks

 

Seems curious that RedLine won't offer a replacement for this stuff. I wonder what makes MT-90 inappropriate? I'd think Motul Gear 300 in a 75w-90 might be good too.

--Matt

 

maybe they just don't match up their specs to the "LT 4"? Amsoil said no product recommendations either but LT4 is just plain GL4 75w90, which Amsoils has..

 

I emailed RedLine to ask about it and they responded:
--Matt

 

I had mine done twice by a local shop and never liked the feel of shifting afterward, so I did it myself using MINI transmission fluid, and it went back to normal. I did it around 60K miles, btw.

 

Spoke with a dealership about this and they said you have to basically drop the subframe to access the fill plug - I'll take a look myself when I get under the car to verify everything, but I'm definitely wanting to tackle this myself and do the change. I don't believe in "lifetime" fluids

 

drop the subframe to access the fill plug?
Not on my manual + probably not on an auto either. (Perhaps someone'll confirm?)
I think your dealer came top in the 'dealer scrap class'!
These people are dangerous...

 

you're kidding? i haven't been under the car yet, I have to see with my own eyes. I have a manual 08 base cooper FYI. It's Mini of St. Louis, I thought given their size they'd be legit but maybe not... if it can be filed though, I'll get under there with a hose and pump.

 

Bentley Manual doesn't say anything about dropping the subframe. That person at the dealership is a retard. Same instructions to draining and filling is same as S. Fill 1.8qts and torque

 

Only 1.8qts? Interesting. I imagine you guys all more or less:

- open drain and fill plugs, drain out
- flush a little/or just close drain plug
- pump into fill plug until fluid starts to come out
- close fill plug

when you DIY? And do you guys go with the OE fluid, or something else?

 

I just did this on an R56 MCS 2007 Manual

Open both drain plugs ( top and bottom ).
Let all the old oil drain out into a pan.
Close up the bottom plug.
Refill with long tube and funnel from the top plug.
Do it slowly until it overflows.
Pull the funnel and hose out.
Re install top plug.

Also try to do this with your MINI as level as possible if on a lift.

OEM fluid if there is no other recommended fluid by redline or royal purple. Its up to what you prefer.

Thanks

 

Yes, the Cooper requires only 1.8 while the S requires 2qts. I used OE MTF-94 since I have the factory LSD. You'll want a MTF-LT-4 DOT 4 fluid

Torque to 43±4 Nm

 

Always, always, ALWAYS remove the fill plug first!

If you remove the drain plug first, and the fill plug gets stuck, you have to get the car towed somewhere to have it dealt with.

If you try to remove the fill plug first and it sticks, you can still drive the car.

 

Thanks for the tips guys - interesting that the dealer told me you had to drop the subframe to access the fill plug if I can easily access it with tools and hose..

good point there - It's gonna be a bit before I get under the car here but I'll definitely look into it

 

Pile of crap. I just did mine, and both plugs are very accessible. Been 4k since I changed to Redline MTL, shifts just fine.

 

Do you need to replace any crush rings or washers on the drain or fill plug? If so, what size are they?