Manual Transmission Fluid

elim11 · 11-21-2010, 02:34 PM

OEM fluid changed at 30K. Replaced with RP. How does the fluid look? Normal? Still lifetime fluid?

Followed Mr5's DIY guide which was wonderful.

NiVeDh · 11-21-2010, 02:55 PM

That's how mine looked. Swapped out with RP Synchromax as well.

uniter · 11-22-2010, 10:58 AM

I had stock fluid in, which shifted well. I swapped to synchromax because it worked very well in my old 5er, it started off very smooth, but over a thousand miles the feeling quickly degraded and it ended up notchier than when I swapped!

I ended up shelling for a bit of the lifetime fluid from a local dealer, the lifetime fluid is very good; my shifts are buttery smooth again. I'll continue to do 30k changes with factory lifetime....

Good luck with RP

vasillalov · 11-22-2010, 11:05 AM

Color won't tell you anything... You need to send that for analysis to see if the fluid is good or bad.

BrianMN · 11-22-2010, 11:16 AM

I would suggest sending all the oil you change out for analysis. It's very easy, inexpensive and can tell you how your engine is running, and give warning signs of severe probles.

The company I've used is Blackstone Labs...super simple and only $25

Edit: Vasiillolov beat me to it!

bulldog_yyc · 11-22-2010, 12:10 PM

any feedback w/ regard to Motul fluid in MT?

Penn999 · 11-22-2010, 02:01 PM

What brand would yall recommend using? I have to do this very soon, just hit 40k

BrianMN · 11-22-2010, 02:16 PM

Royal Purple Synchromax is a popular one, and the one I've used.

Penn999 · 11-22-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianMN

Royal Purple Synchromax is a popular one, and the one I've used.

Thanks, thats the only thing ive heard as well. Sounds like an easy decision.

tegoblue335i · 11-22-2010, 05:21 PM

I need to change my fluid soon.... 44k and my shifts are feeling clunky and no where near as smooth as they should. I think a clutch stop might help as well.

casemagic · 11-22-2010, 05:51 PM

Saw this somewhere else, still not sure if our cars take D4ATF or D6ATF
http://www.redlineoil.com/news_article.aspx?id=13

gt3fever · 11-22-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turkish335

any feedback w/ regard to Motul fluid in MT?

i had mine changed to Motul and have been working great

AlanAZ · 11-22-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

I swapped to synchromax because it worked very well in my old 5er, it started off very smooth, but over a thousand miles the feeling quickly degraded and it ended up notchier than when I swapped!

Exact same experience here. I was thinking it was just me. I had a better experience with Redline in my E46, shifting stayed consistant, better than factory, espec. in the cold. I'm thinking that I'll change it to Redline (but which one?), and put a mag plug in.

UPDATE: I've swapped out the Synchromax. The great shifting it provided only lasted a few months, then was about the same as the factory fluid w/60K miles on it.

I put in Redline D4 ATF for use in the Phoenix extremely hot climate. According to Redline tech support, D6 ATF is closest viscosity to the factory fluid and is recommended, espec. in colder climates (D6 is about 10% thinner than D4, so not much difference -- Synchromax is a heavier viscosity than even the D4.)

F32Fleet · 11-23-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elim11

OEM fluid changed at 30K. Replaced with RP. How does the fluid look? Normal? Still lifetime fluid?

Followed Mr5's DIY guide which was wonderful.

Color means nothing. IJS.

jimk · 11-23-2010, 06:30 PM

I use Red Line D6ATF for the last 10,000 miles. No issues, shifts great even when cold.

Chriztofor · 11-24-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Color won't tell you anything... You need to send that for analysis to see if the fluid is good or bad.

Color of transmission oil might tell you something. Unlike engine oil which turns to black because of carbon.

bulldog_yyc · 11-24-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hipertech

i had mine changed to Motul and have been working great

thanks, which specific fluid did you use?

ton741 · 11-28-2010, 04:37 PM

I did mine today, was really black, changed with 1.5 Q of RP, my car had 60K mile, shifting is smoother and easier specailly when it is cold day

runk · 12-27-2010, 12:22 PM

I read on the Redline website that my car (2006 325xi) takes D6 ATF for the transmission....I want to change the tranny oil out ASAP and wanted to confirm with the experts here if that jibes with what is being done in the real world...outside the stealers' network of course!!

Thanks!

Rotary Rasp · 12-28-2010, 07:22 PM

What does the dealer use? Is there a part number for the OEM fluid?

11-21-2010, 02:34 PM	#1
elim11 Major 424 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: e90m3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: irvine/sf iTrader: (13)	Manual Transmission Fluid OEM fluid changed at 30K. Replaced with RP. How does the fluid look? Normal? Still lifetime fluid? Followed Mr5's DIY guide which was wonderful.
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11-21-2010, 02:55 PM	#2
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	That's how mine looked. Swapped out with RP Synchromax as well.
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11-22-2010, 10:58 AM	#3
uniter Black on Black on Black. 38 Rep 532 Posts Drives: 335i/6mt Sport,Nav,Prem. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Hope, PA iTrader: (1)	I had stock fluid in, which shifted well. I swapped to synchromax because it worked very well in my old 5er, it started off very smooth, but over a thousand miles the feeling quickly degraded and it ended up notchier than when I swapped! I ended up shelling for a bit of the lifetime fluid from a local dealer, the lifetime fluid is very good; my shifts are buttery smooth again. I'll continue to do 30k changes with factory lifetime.... Good luck with RP
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11-22-2010, 11:05 AM	#4
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose 1121 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan, 2023 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 335i E90 [8.00]	Color won't tell you anything... You need to send that for analysis to see if the fluid is good or bad. __________________ 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| All M3 bits \| TCKLine \| StopTech \| UUC \| ER \| SPEC
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11-22-2010, 11:16 AM	#5
BrianMN Banned 114 Rep 2,428 Posts Drives: 4 Door Family Sedan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (7)	I would suggest sending all the oil you change out for analysis. It's very easy, inexpensive and can tell you how your engine is running, and give warning signs of severe probles. The company I've used is Blackstone Labs...super simple and only $25 Edit: Vasiillolov beat me to it!
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11-22-2010, 12:10 PM	#6
bulldog_yyc Major General 130 Rep 5,040 Posts Drives: GT3RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: probably work iTrader: (28)	any feedback w/ regard to Motul fluid in MT?
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11-22-2010, 02:01 PM	#7
Penn999 Lieutenant Colonel 49 Rep 1,661 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	What brand would yall recommend using? I have to do this very soon, just hit 40k __________________ 07' MT, Quaife LSD, BMW Performance LED Steering Wheel, HPF FMIC, AA BOV, HPF Exhaust, DCI, Procede V5, AR Stage 1 oil cooler, AR OCC, AR CL DP's, Vishnu Meth Kit, UUC SSK+DSSR, UUC Shift knob, (19 inch)VMR V715's/Yokohama Advan AD08's, Hartge Pedals and Floor Mats. Awaiting Install: M3 Rear Subframe Bushings, Full M3 suspension bits, AST 4100's, DSS axles. Future plans: Vishnu Single turbo kit
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11-22-2010, 02:16 PM	#8
BrianMN Banned 114 Rep 2,428 Posts Drives: 4 Door Family Sedan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (7)	Royal Purple Synchromax is a popular one, and the one I've used.
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11-22-2010, 05:21 PM	#10
tegoblue335i Enlisted Member 4 Rep 44 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I need to change my fluid soon.... 44k and my shifts are feeling clunky and no where near as smooth as they should. I think a clutch stop might help as well. __________________ R.I.P. E92 335i :PROcede v4: :Vishnu DCI: BT FMIC :Catless Downpipes: Current:AW 135i
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11-22-2010, 05:51 PM	#11
casemagic Enlisted Member 7 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 7 335s Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: philadelphia iTrader: (2)	Saw this somewhere else, still not sure if our cars take D4ATF or D6ATF http://www.redlineoil.com/news_article.aspx?id=13
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11-23-2010, 06:30 PM	#15
jimk Captain 104 Rep 934 Posts Drives: 2018 M550i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Camarillo, CA iTrader: (8)	I use Red Line D6ATF for the last 10,000 miles. No issues, shifts great even when cold.
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11-28-2010, 04:37 PM	#18
ton741 BMW 335I 9 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 335I Sprt Pkg Sp black Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario iTrader: (0)	I did mine today, was really black, changed with 1.5 Q of RP, my car had 60K mile, shifting is smoother and easier specailly when it is cold day __________________ VMR701/V3/UR high cat flow/UR Full Exhaust/Sprint Booster/UR Air intake/
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12-27-2010, 12:22 PM	#19
runk New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2007 335xi Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buffalo NY iTrader: (0)	2006 325xi manual tranny fluid? I read on the Redline website that my car (2006 325xi) takes D6 ATF for the transmission....I want to change the tranny oil out ASAP and wanted to confirm with the experts here if that jibes with what is being done in the real world...outside the stealers' network of course!! Thanks!
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12-28-2010, 07:22 PM	#20
Rotary Rasp Lieutenant Colonel 241 Rep 1,857 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal - Torrance iTrader: (6)	What does the dealer use? Is there a part number for the OEM fluid? __________________
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