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:
BMW has cases upon cases of the stuff that they ship down to a spot in St Augustine Florida.... They dip it into the "Fountain of Ute".... Instantly becomes "Extended Life" Dip here....
I live in SoCal, a week ago it was raining hard enough to lose my satellite link to Dish Network, then in less than two days it's 95-100 degrees fahrenheit. I believe the reason why I'm over thinking things is because I just had my clutch disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing and flywheel replaced at 53k. I could have gone 50k further but decided to take care of things now while the transmission is down. I still consider the BMW oil to be no different than that of other transmission oil in regards to maintenance intervals, like said it's not really lifetime stuff. I would love to jump down that well for awhile though! :biggrin5:
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!
Just my .02. I used the Redline MT90 in my 01 TT Quattro Coupe when I had it, and this was suggested by the owner of Automotive Assets in Powell Ohio, the do prep race cars after all. I was talking to him about the issue I was having with the tranny and how the dealership wanted to rebuild and take lots of my money. He said to try it out and let him know. So I bought the Redline from them and did the job with a buddy. And I gotta say that stuff made it like a brand new car. It shifted so amazingly smooth and silky. It was freaking unreal! I fully intend to make this fluid change shortly in the Mini as I am rapidly approaching the 50K mark, probably sometime around August for me. Damn, I've got a lot of work to do soon! Brakes, oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, ps fluid and a vacuum pump. Anyone wanna make some donations?? LOL.
My $.02 Royal pimple is junk. Red Line MTF is ok but not the best. AMSOIL Severe Gear® 75W-90 excellent for OEM. Used to run it its great. I am now running Eneos (3092300) GL-5 Certified 75W-90 Differential Fluid Gear Oil ** Top quality gear oil recommended by OS Giken
Dave, could you feel a difference when you switched from Redline to Eneos? Or is it just a quality thing? GL-5 > GL-4?
I never used Redline but I know people that I respect their knowledge and they said it was like night and day. I had OEM fluid and went right to Amsoil, then switched to Eneos and my trans is nice and smooth now. Amsoil got rid of the OEM notchyness but not completely. Eneos did the trick with it's included friction modifiers package.
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.
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.
The 5-30 is first gen oil and the 0-40 is second gen. Either will work just fine unless you are really pushing the limits of mileage or use.