With almost 32k miles, and more than a few track days on the car, I figure it's time to change the fluid out. Going to go with Redline MTL and doing this at our club's DIY-day at MINI of Dallas this weekend. Anyone done this yet? (I know BTWDriver has, but I'm not sure he'll be there.) Any tips/suggestions? I heard it can be a PITA.
The most important part........ Remove the FILL plug first. When I end up doing mine, I'll switch over to the magnetic "Dimple" plugs.
YesIFit, How did it go? Removing the fill plug first is a good suggestion. I have the magnetic plug on my engine and want to add one to the trans also. Also, what is the trans fluid capacity? Also, why the Red Line MTL? How did you decide which fluid to use? Thanks, Greg
It was surprisingly easy. - Open the fill plug - Open the drain plug - Drain fluid - Replace drain plug - Refill fluid until it just starts to run/drip out of the fill plug - Replace fill plug I went with Redline MTL after receiving suggestions from other MINI owners. After driving it a little bit, the shift action definitely has more feel to it. The funny thing is that the R56 holds slightly more then the R53. My friend, who has a R53, helped me change mine and then we did his. We both had two bottles of MTL. My car took both of my bottles plus a little off the top of one of his. His car took the rest of that bottle plus slightly less than all of the last bottle.
Thanks for the quick response guys! Now to find the Redline MTL. I see Mini Mania has it, but it would be nice to find it here on the East Coast. Once I get my hands on some, that looks like the next project.
Any good independent shop should have some. You won't find it at AutoZone. Look for race cars parked out front. =) Also here: http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/redline_70w80_MTL_mini_cooper_transmission_fluid_oil.html And here: http://www.waymotorworks.com/product.php?productid=16740
I've talked to 3 good independent service shops and all said 50K on the tranny lube for a daily driver. Anyone heard different and why? I've got 10K to go.
So.... If I understand this correctly. We all agree the MINI/BMW "Lifetime" (MTF-LT-4) manual fluid period is hogwash. Whatever lifetime means??? Make the first change at 50K and continue at that period at every 50K for street and sooner if you track? No one seems to make an equivalent for the "Lifetime" (MTF-LT-4), and the best alternate , or one of the best alternates would be the Redline MTL?
I'd also recommend that when doing the change you pickup some of the magnetic drain plugs to put in the transmission as well.
Thanks Nathan! I'd already planned on a Dimple drain plug, but you make the 4th person who recommends one for the fill plug as well. I'm going with Redline D4 ATF as that seems to be the choice for hotter climates.
I have an R53 with factory LSD and I change my transmission fluid every 40-50k. It's pretty easy to do once you have the car up on jack stands - and give yourself as much clearance as is safe on your jack stands. You'll need either a funnel with a long tube or a fluid pump, along with a breaker bar and a torque wrench. I know MTL works for my car, but check with a knowledgeable source for your year/gen/transmission. Another "lifetime" fluid, the power steering fluid, should be flushed at a roughly similar interval, but that's a little more complicated.
Greasy Kid Stuff After input from some very knowledgeable people, I decided to go with the new Redline MT-85 75W85 GL-4 gear lube. Got the Dimple fill/drain plugs, too. By ordering before the end of the year, Dimple gives you one of their new $30 sump plugs free! Will swap out the old Dimple plug on next oil change. :smilewinkgrin:
Royal Purple I backed away from it when I saw that the gear lube they offer is a one-size-fits-all. They also do not list any MINI in their application guide. BTW, the Redline MT-85 I used is neat. Shifts and synchro's are now smooth as silk and tranny noise is virtually gone.
I can't get the redline here. So far I have had great luck with everything I have run from RP. Maybe I will be the 1st with it then.
Why the MT-85 & not MTL I was ready to replace mine with Red Line MTL and then double checked the Red Line website, they indicated no replacement for the OEM oil. Scared me from proceeding. I'm guessing the Red Line doesn't want to go on record as having a "lifetime" oil. Any thoughts on this now as it's been 2 years since you made the change? BTW I have an '08 Clubman S with 6 Speed manual tranny