Hi Guys,

I have a non turbo 2012 Mini Cooper. I always use Amsoil and I am ordering oil and transmission fluid. The Mini has a manual transmission and Amsoil has no recommendations for fluid (for transmission). It just says:

(1) 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. (1) 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.When I check the turbo engine of the same year with a manual it says to use Syncromesh fluid. Why would the non turbo be different? What do people use and can I just use the Syncromesh?

 

The base manual gearbox is different from the turbo transmission.

 

Ok, so is there another fluid option?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ml-83222339223

FCP Euro wants almost $45 a bottle. It says it is a 75W90. Anyone tried this: https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-75w-...gear-lube-mtg/

 

Make sure the weight is correct, and make sure it is compatible with synchromesh gearbox (GL4 and NOT GL5), and you'll be fine.

 

There is no sticker on your transmission. BMW saved the stickers back in 2008 or 2009.
However it's fairly easy. Your Cooper has a Getrag GS6-55BG like any R55-R59 Cooper with a manual transmission (Cooper S and JCW use the GS6-53BG) and it requires BMW MTF LT-4 which is a Castrol made 75W-90 GL-3 & GL-4 MTF. Cooper S and JCW with its GS6-53BG require the same oil with the exception of some rare very first R56 Cooper S equipped with the LSD (MTF-94).
As njaremka said never try anything GL-5. Some Synchromesh fluid may feel ok, but it will be thinner compared to BMW MTF LT-4.
That said, NO single R55-R59 uses MTF LT-3 from the factory. Amsoil should know better.

 

I wound up getting some Redline MT-90. It feels great.

 

Great choice. I might have recommended RL MT85 and MT90 depending on your climate,

 

Redline is what i used on both my MINIs. Lots of people like LIQUI moly also, I dont think you could go wrong with either.

My old stuff was pretty dark. No shavings or anything in the oil.