135I Manual Transmission fluid question froma newbe

[Delisic]

Hello Addicts.

I have a 2011 135I and its time to change her Manual transmission fluid. Since I am located at Honolulu, its very difficult to get redline ATF here, but I can find Royal purple Synchromax manual Transmission fluid. So will the RP work for our 6MT? thank you for your feedbacks.

[Matticus91]

There's a lot of opinions on fluids, I believe Dackelone has some great knowledge on this but I am sure RP will be fine if that's all you have available. Since I don't know the market, it might be helpful for you to list a few options that are reasonable for you to purchase on the islands.

[Delisic]

Matticus91, great point on the availability of opinions. I will look around an post it soon. Thanks.

[Dackelone]

IF the Royal Purple is a 70W80 and GL4 rated oil... than I would say its ok to use. But I really have no idea.

Can't you just order some Redline thru Amazon.com ?


Here are the fluid specs on Redline's ATF D4.
https://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

[Ric in RVA]

UPS doesn't reach the islands? That is how I get all mine here in backwoods Virginia.

[Delisic]

Unfortunately, Amazon and other providers charge an arm & leg to deliver fluids to the island. for example if I was to use europarts ordering redline Auto Trans fluid (D4) (3 quart) and 75W90 Differential service kit......it would cost me $122. Delivery charge is $47. Some times it sucks to be on Honolulu.

[Delisic]

I am in luck!!!! I just called Redline dealer and they gave me a local dealer who carries the ATF (D4) and 75W90! Score!!!! My baby is getting fresh reline fluids this weekend!!!

[mr.fabulous]

I run MTL in mine

[ShocknAwe]

Redline MTL. Done.

[sprp85]

MTL here as well. Smooooth as butter

[Stubbie Blue]

Another satisfied MTL user here. I chose it because it is thicker than D4, for the high temps in Florida.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Stubbie Blue

Another satisfied MTL user here. I chose it because it is thicker than D4, for the high temps in Florida.

Previously used D4 as well. Honestly I've had my 6MT through all temperatures including near zero. Maybe if I had to live with negative temps for months on end I might go with the thinner D4, but the MTL is just too good.

Can always double clutch the first few shifts while it comes up to temp.

[Delisic]

I do have a question for ShocknAwe and Stubbie Blue. Honolulu traffic is terrible during afternoon rush hours. After work going home, I drive about 5 miles fighting the afternoon traffic everyday (driving under 15MPH avg. during this stretch). So does it make sense to use MTL if you are always fighting the traffic rush hours? TKS.

[Stubbie Blue]

I think the thicker MTL is only a problem if you are in subzero temps. At warm temps, you might feel some notchiness for the first few shifts while the transmission is cold, but then it warms up fairly quickly and will be fine. In fact the problem I had on the original fluid was that after an hour or so of city driving, it seemed to get too hot and thin to the point that I couldn't even engage 1st gear from a standstill.

[cjb762]

Originally Posted by Delisic

Unfortunately, Amazon and other providers charge an arm & leg to deliver fluids to the island. for example if I was to use europarts ordering redline Auto Trans fluid (D4) (3 quart) and 75W90 Differential service kit......it would cost me $122. Delivery charge is $47. Some times it sucks to be on Honolulu.

Delisic - you need to get Amazon Prime. Shipping can take a week or two sometimes, and there are some things that won't ship here, but everything prime ships for free. I actually just ordered some Redline MTF for my Jeep YJ off of Amazon - on its way for free!

[MightyMouseTech]

Have tried D4, D6 and MTL. MTL is my favourite by far. If you are never below freezing, I would go MTL.

Oh, and Amazon Prime free shipping FTW!

[Delisic]

I do have Amazon Prime, for some reason they would not ship it to me using amazon Prime. But the good news is that, I did found NAPA Auto has all the Redline fluids here on the island so I am good to go. I think I will try MTL.

[cjb762]

Originally Posted by Delisic

I do have Amazon Prime, for some reason they would not ship it to me using amazon Prime. But the good news is that, I did found NAPA Auto has all the Redline fluids here on the island so I am good to go. I think I will try MTL.

It is weird what they will and won't ship sometimes. Thanks for the info about NAPA - I was going to ask you where you went!

[Delisic]

cjb762, ya its weird. I love Amazon but sometimes it sucks.......BTW the NAPA at 1488 Hart street has all the Redline products, and also has the Pentosin dot 4 brake & CHF 11S fluids.

[Dackelone]

I know everyone loves/raves about MTL. And that's what I have in both of my BMW's(135i and an e39 540i 6sp)... but I'm gonna go back to ATF-D4... just because I remember a lighter, smoother feel. Maybe it's just in my head. IDK.

Dack

[Delisic]

Dack, I probably try both ATF-D4 and MTL in the future just to feel for my self. I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and comments regarding what is the best TF for our ride. I tell you what,,,,, its really a blast to drive the 135I 6MT...

[jlc45]

I have always been leery of using ATF in a manual trans because I had a Mazda 5 speed once that burned up two sets of bearings. (It did take 300,000 km though.) I assume you guys all know the differences between straight cut gears, helical gears, and hypoid gears? ATF is not formulated like gear oil because in an automatic transmission there are mostly just bushings, not bearings per se.
But I need to do something with the oil in my 135i 6MT since it's very notchy in cold weather, and do live in the great white north where it's cold 6 months a year. I believe my car has the original oil it came with from BMW.
What do you think of using high quality motorcylcle motor oil in the 135i trans? Motorcycle oil lubricates both the engine and the transmission in a bike, so it seems to me it would be Ok for my trans.