i know it has been discussed before but looking for most up to date condensed advice on what transmission fluid to use. my mini has the manual 6 speed transmission with 60k on it. just bought it 1000 miles ago and love it. service records complete and all i had to do was water pump, thermostat, oil change, plugs, air filters and valve cover gasket. (i am picky on doing preventative maintenance). i use the car to drive 120 miles to work, there three days as a firefighter and then drive 120 miles home. i do this once a week and then drive is 100% highway at 75mph. i have been reading alot on redline mtl and want to see what you guys use. i have owned/built nothing but lifted wranglers my whole life so these little cars are new to me. thanks in advance.

 

Redline MTL is what many many use.

And a Dimple magnetic drain plug. $30

 

 

thanks guys. cheapest place to buy? autozone here in utah does not carry it.

 

and when i google it there are a few different viscosities.

 

MTL is a set viscosity/weight. MTL also makes MT85 and others. To be clear, most people just use MTL. Works great even in Chicago winters (where I am located). This has been researched and there are many posts about this here and in BMW forums. No need to keep researching this one. Just use MTL. It's good and no worries. Change every 30k. And buy the Dimple drain plug - super strong magnets. Loosen the fill plug first.

 

thanks a million. i will check with pelican parts today

 

just as a second opinion, i've been using amsoil mtf with good experience. here's my quick how-to on it

http://r56hs.com/2014/04/06/2007-201...change-how-to/

 

kyoo,
Amazingly simple how-to. It should make it very clear that almost anyone can do this. Thanks.

 

I used Mobil one 75w90... it was all I could get at the local store at the time.

https://mobiloil.com/en/gear-lubrica...c-gear-lube-ls

 

high praise, thanks!

 

You need to use at the very least a MTL 75W-90, I went with the specs labeled on my transmission which is MTF-LT4. I have done a lot of research on the differences between the two, MTF-LT4 is 20% thicker (more viscous) than MTL 75W-90. Our transmission oil needs to be thicker because the N14 engines run at 226F and the heat will heat up whatever oil is in the transmission. If you want to play it safe ECS Tuning sells the BMW MTF-LT4 oil, you'll only use half the jug so you'll have enough to fill your transmission up twice. On a final note I will say the Redline 75W-90 shifts much smoother than the BMW OEM oil, it's Teflon based.

 

When I changed seals, I searched for replacement fluid. No direct equivalent available. So, substitute at your own risk. The above suggestions are the most popular subs. However, the factory indicates it's lifetime fluid --- no changing required! But, I gotta agree with most --- periodic changes are a good idea, regardless of driving habits.

Get a good pump to use when filling, it's awkward with a cheap hand pump.

 

[QUOTE=timski;4056030]Redline MTL is what many many use.

That is what I use, couldn't find it at any parts stores. I found a local Independent repair shop that works on German brands that sells it for $14.99.

 

The hand pump is a must, my brother fed it from above the engine. Isn't gravity great?