Engine Drivetrain 2nd Gen S Most liked posts in thread: R56 Manual Transmission Fluid Change

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.

 

What do you guys think about Royal Purple for the fluid change?

 

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:

 

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.

 

LMAO! Can't get Redline stuff here either. Had to order it direct from them in the Bay area.

 

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

 

i always went with Motul Gear300 75w90 fluid...race fluid FTW

 

I researched this a few months ago and everyone was saying that Redline MTL 75W80 was a popular choice. Later I found out that this is true except for the fact that it was used by many with the 2002-2006 R53 transmission. So I purchased the MTL 75W80 directly from Redline and drain the old stuff out. I then filled my transmission with the Redline MTL 75W80 and shifting has never been better even in the cold!

A month goes by and now I reading that I should be using MTF 75W90, after researching it further I found out that the (bottom of trans MTL-LT4 ) MTF 75W90 was 20% percent more viscous than even Redlines MT-90. I'm abit worried now because that means I'm running the Redline MTF 75W80 oil which is 40% thinner than MTF LT4 75W90.

Any suggestions before I start throwing money?

 

Here is the PDF for "MINI Operating Fluids" as a handy reference.....

View attachment SIM000202_Attachment.pdf

 

Personally I believe you are over thinking this. I don't know where you live but where I do 90 weight will make shifting in cold winter temps problematic.

If you feel you need to change it for peace of mind do it. I don't think you will have any problems with your current trans oil.

Interesting that the lifetime fluid has been changed to extended life. :wink:

 

Finally had my Mini mechanic change out the Redline 75W-80 for BMW's own MTF-LT4 75W-90, I did lose a little smoothness. The BMW stuff is like syrup when compared with the Redline oil, wonder how their MT-90 is compared to the thickness of the BMW oil. Yeah I know I'm overthinking it all.

Now only if Redline would come out with a gear oil specced to the MTF-LT4!

 

That works too. At least to service the munchies, lol.

 

Dave, could you feel a difference when you switched from Redline to Eneos? Or is it just a quality thing? GL-5 > GL-4?

 

When you stated that Royal pimple was junk were you talking about for transmission oil right?

 

Not really Royal Pimple is junk in general. I would run Mobil 1 over the purple oil.

They have been sued so many times for faults advertising and in oil tests it's not really any better.

I will stick with Amsoil and Eneos for trans fluid and Amsoil for the motor.

 

Is the Mobil 1 full synthetic at Wal-Mart the same at retail shops costing almost 50% percent more?

 

I don't know I don't use it. Maybe a Mobil 1 user will be able to tell you.

 

Yes. Walmart had a monopoly on the 5-gallon jugs of Mobil1 for a long time. It's still the cheapest place to get jugs of 0W-40. With two MINIs and one BMW in my household, I usually buy two or three at a time. Sometimes they're on sale for $22.

 

Do you use 0W-40? It seems that the 0W-40 meets Mini/BMW's specs while the 5W-30 does not, the Royal Purple meets the specs with their 5W-30 oil. Strange.

 

Then again it Royal Pimple why would they tell the truth. I would stay away from that oil.
I know others love it is not that good.