2004 BMW 330Ci Trans Fluid Question

[GadgetRick]

Ok, figured I'd post this here since I know I'll get better answers than on the BMW forums.

Anywho, about to change the transmission fluid (manual) in my 2004 BMW. Was wondering if there's a difference in transmission fluid brands. What I mean is, from what I've read stuff like the purple fluid seems to be, well way over-priced for no good reason.

Should I just find the least expensive correct fluid or is there something else I should look at? Assuming, of course, I get the proper fluid for the car.

 

[double vanos]

I have an '02 330ci with a 5 speed manual and I use Redline MTL in it.

Currently at 115K miles with no issues whatsoever.

Email Redline (off their website) and they'll tell you what should go into that trannie.

Cheers!

 

[GadgetRick]

Thanks, I'll have to do that.

 

[ffracer]

Yep, MTL is even an improvement over synthetic gear oils. It really does work better in a BMW.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I'm using RoyalPurple Synchromax in mine. No complaints either. When on sale at PepBoys, this stuff is pretty inexpensive.

 

[JHZR2]

does this car have the color coded MT labels of other BMWs? If so, there might be multiple speccs.

I like MTL, but currently have amsoil in mine (E30 318i), which I think is a tad bit smoother, especially after a year.

JMH

 

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
does this car have the color coded MT labels of other BMWs? If so, there might be multiple speccs.

I have no idea. I'm guessing these labels are underneath on the trans? I just bought the car a few months ago and haven't been under there yet.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: GadgetRick
Ok, figured I'd post this here since I know I'll get better answers than on the BMW forums.

Anywho, about to change the transmission fluid (manual) in my 2004 BMW. Was wondering if there's a difference in transmission fluid brands. What I mean is, from what I've read stuff like the purple fluid seems to be, well way over-priced for no good reason.

Should I just find the least expensive correct fluid or is there something else I should look at? Assuming, of course, I get the proper fluid for the car.


All of your BMW buddies will probably tell you to use RP Synchromax. I feel the stuff is overhyped, and didn't do anything special for me. I've seen far more negatives than positives about RP around BITOG so I don't bother anymore.

I'd put Redline MTL (depending on your climate and tolerance for the *possibility* of harder shifts for a couple of minutes when cold) or Amsoil MTF on your short list. Redline D4 ATF is thinner and works fine, but isn't quite as thick as the factory fill. IIRC, MTF-LT-2 is around 9 cSt as are MTL and MTF. D4 ATF is around 7 cSt.

I live near Toronto and didn't notice a downside to Redline MTL in my '98 528 (ZF 5-speed). I'm running Amsoil MTF at the moment.

 

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
Originally Posted By: GadgetRick
Ok, figured I'd post this here since I know I'll get better answers than on the BMW forums.

Anywho, about to change the transmission fluid (manual) in my 2004 BMW. Was wondering if there's a difference in transmission fluid brands. What I mean is, from what I've read stuff like the purple fluid seems to be, well way over-priced for no good reason.

Should I just find the least expensive correct fluid or is there something else I should look at? Assuming, of course, I get the proper fluid for the car.


All of your BMW buddies will probably tell you to use RP Synchromax. I feel the stuff is overhyped, and didn't do anything special for me. I've seen far more negatives than positives about RP around BITOG so I don't bother anymore.

I'd put Redline MTL (depending on your climate and tolerance for the *possibility* of harder shifts for a couple of minutes when cold) or Amsoil MTF on your short list. Redline D4 ATF is thinner and works fine, but isn't quite as thick as the factory fill. IIRC, MTF-LT-2 is around 9 cSt as are MTL and MTF. D4 ATF is around 7 cSt.

I live near Toronto and didn't notice a downside to Redline MTL in my '98 528 (ZF 5-speed). I'm running Amsoil MTF at the moment.

Thanks. I've emailed the Redline folks and waiting to hear back. I don't want to put what markets best into the car, I want what works well.

 

[Craig in Canada]

They will probably recommend D4 ATF, because that will generate the fewest shifting complaints. If questioned, they'll indicate that MTL and even MT-90 will work fine too, but more customers complain about more difficulty shifting in cold weather/climates until it's warmed up. For that reason, their default answer is D4ATF.

As I believe I mentioned, I didn't have any trouble with MTL in my local winters so.... In fact, I thought MTL was a little nicer than D4ATF.

 

[sprintman]

Redline (Dave) will say D4ATF but I have straight MTL in 2001 325 manual which I'll be changing to 2/3 D4ATF and 1/3 MTL next autumn as it's a tad thick for a Canberra winter. When hot gears don't exist unlike the OEM junk which came out at 75,000kms.

 

[GadgetRick]

Sounds like MTL might be the right answer for me then.

I'm lazy (sorry) how much fluid do I need to buy to do the change?

Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[sprintman]

330Ci takes more than my 325Ci I believe so you will need to buy two quarts.

 

[Jett Rink]

Redline MTL is in my car. On cold mornings, those first few shifts (particularly 1st to 2nd) requires a noticeable amount of more effort than than the factory fill. But after the car gets warmed up, all is good. I'll probably put Redline MTL back in there when I change it.

But you really shouldn't be driving any car like you're on the track at LeMans when it is cold, anyway.

 

[MCompact]

Getrag transmissions simply don't like to be hurried in the first place. Even when I'm shifting on the track I pause for a brief second in the neutral gate.

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: sprintman
Redline (Dave) will say D4ATF but I have straight MTL in 2001 325 manual which I'll be changing to 2/3 D4ATF and 1/3 MTL next autumn as it's a tad thick for a Canberra winter. When hot gears don't exist unlike the OEM junk which came out at 75,000kms.


This was my plan as well, but can anybody comment on whether it is OK to mix the D4ATF and the MTL?

 

[Jim 5]

Bump..

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[sprintman]

Got the OK from Dave and many do it. When it starts to get cold I'll drain the straight NTL and go to MTL/D4ATF blend.