Redline Products

[Metalcolt]

Does anyone have an opinion, positive or negative, about Redline products? I have a 2008 550i 6MT and am getting ready to change and use the following:

Engine Oil: Redline 5w-30
Differential: Redline 75w-90 GL-5 Gear Oil
Trans: Redline D4 ATF
Coolant: BMW Coolant with Redline Water Wetter additive

I have done a fair amount of reading from multiple sources: BMW, 5Series, Bimmerfest, Bimmerforums, BobIsTheOilGuy and oil company literature. Have not done the work yet and am interested in what people think.

I am also going to use Dimple magnetic plugs for diff, trans and oil.

Thanks!

 

[JHZR2]

I found on my E30 318i that their diff lube would get noisy faster than others. Their mtf, though good initial feel, would degrade in terms of shift quality faster.

So I run specialty formulations diff oil and amsoil mtf and have been really happy.

I used to run water wetter but didnt see a compelling benefit. I do run their gear lubes and other things. I may run their oil at some point.

So I'm not saying their stuff is junk, just that I've had better experiences with other products for the price.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Redline products are very good.

If you have a 6-speed manual I would not run ATF. I run Redline MTL in my 5-speed manual and am very happy with the shift feel.

There is a reason why they make ATF and MTL. Try Redline MTL. I think you'll be very happy with the results.

 

[Donald]

I would look at Amsoil also. But from what I read, Redline is good stuff.

 

[gathermewool]

Water Wetter is a waste of money, unless you're adding it to straight distilled water for track use.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Redline products are very good.

If you have a 6-speed manual I would not run ATF. I run Redline MTL in my 5-speed manual and am very happy with the shift feel.

There is a reason why they make ATF and MTL. Try Redline MTL. I think you'll be very happy with the results.


Based upon what? My BMW 6sp specifies a low viscosity MTF, it's not ATF but has that viscosity characteristic.

 

[Loobed]

Originally Posted By: Metalcolt
Does anyone have an opinion, positive or negative, about Redline products?

Thanks!


Anyone and Opinion?


I think they make excellent high performance products, but I have no need for their engine oils. I think they are overkill for a normal street vehicle. I also think their 2 stroke oil is overkill for any 2 stroke motor that I own. I would not use it in a stock outboard. I have used their SI-1 fuel system cleaner and think it is an excellent product, and fairly priced: I would buy it again. I bought some of their 75w-90 gear oil, but have not used it yet, so I don't know how it works. I would try their Dex-6 replacement tranny fluid if it was cheaper, but I don't think the extra cost is worth it in my stock 4L60E. Their water wetter is a good product, but should be considered for racing only.

 

[daman]

I'm using there GL5 80w90 gear oil right now with good results Amazon had a killer sale a lil wile back $75ish for a 5gal. pail, free shipping.

 

[Metalcolt]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for replying. I have been reading all of your comments and they are much appreciated.

My car has 30,000 miles on it now and my main drive for doing the transmission and differential is not that I don't believe that the BMW products last a long time. But, I cannot get my head around not at least changeling them out once from the original fluids put in at the factory. I feel like if there were any issue or problem to be seen I would never know till is was a real issue. It also seems like a good idea to get anything out that sluffed off during the break in period. I have also never heard anything that makes me think it is ok to go 15,000 in between oil changes.

After I make a final decision I plan on posting a follow up with some photos showing the difference in appearance between the old fluids and new fluids, as well as any appreciable contaminates found in used fluids. Would it be best to do that as a reply on this thread or start a new thread? I am new to this forum/blogging thing and do not want to post things in annoying ways.

 

[dparm]

Frankly, pictures of the fluids won't prove much. There are plenty of used oil samples that look black but are still fine to keep in service.

As for your original question, I've not used Red Line products (other than their SI-1 cleaner), but they're all pretty good.

Instead of their 5w30, I would run the 0w40 for its higher viscosity index. Maybe water it down a touch with the 0w30 (do a 1:1 mixture for a nice "heavy 30").

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: Metalcolt
After I make a final decision I plan on posting a follow up with some photos showing the difference in appearance between the old fluids and new fluids, as well as any appreciable contaminates found in used fluids. Would it be best to do that as a reply on this thread or start a new thread? I am new to this forum/blogging thing and do not want to post things in annoying ways.
Either way, it doesn't really matter.

 

[TallPaul]

The Redlineoil website says to use D4 ATF in your BMW. It also says that for my Ford Ranger manual tranny and my previous F150 manual tranny, but in the case of the Ford trannies, the thicker MTL worked a lot better, got rid of the notchiness of the shifter. If yours shifts fine with ATF, then the Redline D4 is a great choice, but in some cases MTL may improve shifting. Check with BMW service managers to see if the thicker MTL is acceptable. On Fords if you go too thick (way past MTL) you can burn up a splash lubed bearing.

When you get photos of the old and new oil, you can post them here, but this thread may be pretty old and lengthy by then and a new thread may be better.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Redline products are very good.

If you have a 6-speed manual I would not run ATF. I run Redline MTL in my 5-speed manual and am very happy with the shift feel.

There is a reason why they make ATF and MTL. Try Redline MTL. I think you'll be very happy with the results.


Based upon what? My BMW 6sp specifies a low viscosity MTF, it's not ATF but has that viscosity characteristic.
Not trying to say MTL is the only thing to use, Metalcolt was asking for opinions so I gave mine. I generally like to stick to MTL as much as possible for a manual transmission.

 

[Bandito440]

As I mentioned in another recent thread, I had used their Shockproof gear oil and 5w-50 motor oil in my motorcycle. I'm a big fan of their products, and especially their gear oils. That Shockproof stuff made for perfect shifting. Red Line is also a smaller company with great customer service, and I'm very happy to give them my business.

As far as the motor oil goes, you could probably use a cheaper synthetic, but if you're willing to spend the money for a premium oil, then I say go for it. It's overkill for your application, and was on my bike too, but I appreciated the extra protection on an expensive piece of equipment.

I definitely think it's worth using their gear oils in a car that you're going to keep for a long time. You may even consider putting their 75w-90 in the differential at this point.

I've never been sold on Water Wetter or used it myself, so someone with more experience should comment on that.

 

[HerrStig]

I use Mobil 1 gear oil in my BMW bike. Replaced the "Shockproof" that was in there prior. The Mobil 1 makes for the best shifting I have experienced.

 

[oilmaven]

I use their D4 trans fluid in the 'ol minivan and used it in my previous Honda Accord...seems to work well (really smoothed out the shifting in the Honda). Amsoil is good also...toss a coin?

 

[wiswind]

As far as Red Line Water Wetter....
They offer a "Diesel Water Wetter" and "Water Wetter".
What I have seen on store shelves is "Water Wetter", which is formulated for use in pure water cooling systems.
Some have noted that, when used in systems with Antifreeze, the Water Wetter can cause a scum to appear on the top of the fluid in the overflow bottle.
It seems that some separation can take place when the fluid cools down......and it is supposed to mix again when the fluid gets hot.

If you are using it in a "street" application with an antifreeze mixture (not just water), I would recommend that you look into the Diesel Water Wetter as it is formulated for use in a antifreeze system and as such, "should" not have the separation issue.

BOTH products are intended to improve the heat transfer between metal and the cooling fluid (either just water or a coolant mixture).
This would be in the engine.....heat transfer from the motor to the coolant. AND in the radiator....heat transfer from the coolant to the metal of the radiator.
THIS is what Red Line states that the product does.

NOTE! The coolant temperature that you see indicated from the coolant sensors "should" still stay about the same because the thermostat in the engine will STILL regulate for the same temperature.

THIS is a link, directly from the Red Line Oil website.
It is the "Technical Information" tab.
Under "White Papers", they list the information for both "Diesel Water Wetter" and "Water Wetter".

http://www.redlineoil.com/techinfo.aspx

Under the "Product Data" grouping, they list the Motor Oils lined up side by side so that you can compare them.
They also list the Transmission Fluid that you mention.

At the bottom left corner of their web pages is a Title "Company".....with several links.......including "Contact Us" which you can use to send them any questions you may have.
They have been reported to be very helpful.

I have used their motor oils, transmission fluid D4, Power Steering fluid and their S1 Fuel System Cleaner.

As a side note.....most fuel system cleaners, that you add to the fuel tank work BEST when they are in the system for a period of time.
In other words.....if you are on a trip and filling up several times through the day......the fuel system cleaner will not be as effective as when you add it where it will be in the system for a week or more.

 

[dparm]

For a street driven car you do not need Water Wetter.

 

[TallPaul]

Regarding manual transmission fluid recommendations, see this thread.

Something to think about from the fifth post:

Quote:
ATF fluids contain a specific additive package for Automatic Transmissions, and not for manual transmissions. Most ATF specifications for use in mtl's, IMHO, were to improve cold weather shifting, and not to improve wear.