I know it take 1.5 quarts and I know where the fill and drain plugs are but what kind of fluid should be used . manual said mtf 94. ? redline has mtl and mt 90 ,royal purple has mtf (no weight number) BMW wants 30 bucks a quart if i bring in the container ? what to do ? any help please

 

I have used MTL since Artoo was new in 2003. Changed it at 50 and 100,000 miles and shifting is smooth and I suspect everything inside that 6 speed box is fine.

I vote for MTL.

Rich

 

Redline MTL

 

+1 MTL is what you want

 

LOL it doesn't take 1.5 quarts ! Takes 1.7 Litres.

Probably MTF LT4 or LT3. Depends on what year MINI you have with manual transmission.....

In some cases would be wise to just call your MINI parts dept so they can look it up by your VIN. It's based upon what series of transmission was installed at the assembly line.

 

Redline MTL is correct for early gen 1 MCS (before 7/2004) or late gen 1 MCS with LSD (or oem Texaco MTF-94 from the dealer).
Redline D6 (or oem MTF-LT-3) for later gen 1 MCS without LSD (after 7/2004)
(note - MTL would work here also, but with a small sacrifice on gas mileage and cold shifting compared to D6 or LT-3).
Oem MTF-LT-4 for gen 2 MCS (no Redline equivalent listed).

 

It would be nice if someone with access to some BMW-LT-4 would send some in for
analysis - details on its viscosity, additive composition, etc. are not published anywhere and that
makes it hard to figure out what an appropriate non-oem substitute should be.

 

So if my dealer said to use MTF LT-3... Do I use Redline D6 as a replacement for my 2004 MCS 6 Speed Manual Transmission??

 

Redline D6 is very close in specs to MTF LT-3 and should be a good replacement
for MTF-LT-3 in a 2004 MCS with 6 speed manual without LSD.

 

I think royal purple synchromax is a good replacement for LT-3 and Lt-4

I called dealer and they say LT3 LT4 is pretty much the same thing.

 

If that is what they said then I wouldn't ask that "dealer" for any future advice.

IF anything, LT 4 is almost like MTF94 !!! not LT3 !!

And depending on if you have LSD, YOU should not use one or the other or it will not
function properly..

Look folks, when it comes to a $4K+ transmission, why would you try something other than what's recommended, or take advice over the phone from someone who apparently knows **** about transmission oil ? MINI doesn't make the transmission fluid, for all we know the stuff is made by redline and alike...either way, that which has been selected to function properly was figured out by guys with PHD's in engineering. So why take the risk against what we already know does work ? My .02 pence.

 

I agree, but many are taken by the promises of better performance and longevity when using a particular product. Much money is spent in advertising "boutique" oils in an array of different colors. Then there's the idea that if it costs more it must be better.

My preference is to stick with the manufacturer's recommendation.