Diff and MT fluids decisions

jacobsed · 02-14-2012, 05:53 PM

Should I get the BMW full synth 5W-30 from the dealer @ $7.46/qt or
Mobil 1 Full Synth 0W-40 @$6.46 from Walmart? I'm out of warranty and can't decide.

I'm also thinking I'll get the Mobil 1 LS 75W-140 gear oil for the front and rear diff @$19.99/qt from Autozone. The dealer wants $35.39/L for the diff fluid. It is my understanding the dealers use Castrol SAF-XJ which is 75W-140. So I'm thinking the Mobil 1 option is good alternative. Your thoughts?

The dealer also wants $18.18 per 1/2 L of MT fluid. It takes 1.6L so I would need to buy 2 liters which is ~$73. Any good recommended alternatives here?

I already have the BMW transfer case fluid on the way from getbmwparts.com. $42.49 and didn't raise the shipping cost with the other stuff I ordered with it. My dealer wanted $58 for it.

ctuna · 02-14-2012, 07:51 PM

You can use redline on everything but the transfer case in the drivetrain.
Go to redline.com they have and app for fluids. My Indy put redline D6 in my manual transmission and it really smoothed the shifter out . He used redline in the diffs to.

apme123 · 02-15-2012, 01:14 AM

amsoil, I run that in my diff and trans in the s2k. you cant go wrong

DnA Diesel · 02-15-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

You can use redline on everything but the transfer case in the drivetrain.
Go to redline.com they have and app for fluids. My Indy put redline D6 in my manual transmission and it really smoothed the shifter out . He used redline in the diffs to.

I ran RedLine in my E34 540i/6's transmission and diff...it really helped to smooth out the infamous 1-2 stiff-shift.

Regards
D.

Kolyan2k · 02-15-2012, 07:39 AM

my buddy used redline and said its junk, uses amsoil now.

RoundelM3 · 02-15-2012, 07:45 AM

Just had my MT and diff fluids changed to RedLine MTL and 75W90 respectively in my E92. Had it done at an Indy shop and very pleased with the results.

DASHOCKER · 02-15-2012, 07:58 AM

amsoil is the way to go.

dassub · 02-15-2012, 08:01 AM

I used Redline D4 in my MT (it's an AT fluid), and Amsoil Severe Gear in my diff.. both made a nice difference. Shifts are smooth as butter, and the power delivery is much improved at the diff (butt dyno).

jacobsed · 02-15-2012, 07:11 PM

I decided to go with red line ATF D6 for tranny.
Red Line 75W90 for the diffs.
BMW transfer case fluid.
BMW motor oil.

02-14-2012, 05:53 PM	#1
jacobsed Lieutenant 23 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	Diff and MT fluids decisions - your input requested Should I get the BMW full synth 5W-30 from the dealer @ $7.46/qt or Mobil 1 Full Synth 0W-40 @$6.46 from Walmart? I'm out of warranty and can't decide. I'm also thinking I'll get the Mobil 1 LS 75W-140 gear oil for the front and rear diff @$19.99/qt from Autozone. The dealer wants $35.39/L for the diff fluid. It is my understanding the dealers use Castrol SAF-XJ which is 75W-140. So I'm thinking the Mobil 1 option is good alternative. Your thoughts? The dealer also wants $18.18 per 1/2 L of MT fluid. It takes 1.6L so I would need to buy 2 liters which is ~$73. Any good recommended alternatives here? I already have the BMW transfer case fluid on the way from getbmwparts.com. $42.49 and didn't raise the shipping cost with the other stuff I ordered with it. My dealer wanted $58 for it.
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02-14-2012, 07:51 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,100 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	You can use redline on everything but the transfer . You can use redline on everything but the transfer case in the drivetrain. Go to redline.com they have and app for fluids. My Indy put redline D6 in my manual transmission and it really smoothed the shifter out . He used redline in the diffs to.
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02-15-2012, 01:14 AM	#3
apme123 First Lieutenant 25 Rep 359 Posts Drives: 2002 Honda S2000 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA iTrader: (0)	amsoil, I run that in my diff and trans in the s2k. you cant go wrong __________________
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02-15-2012, 07:39 AM	#5
Kolyan2k Major General 920 Rep 5,538 Posts Drives: 2006 S2000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	my buddy used redline and said its junk, uses amsoil now.
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02-15-2012, 07:45 AM	#6
RoundelM3 Major General 1833 Rep 6,987 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	Just had my MT and diff fluids changed to RedLine MTL and 75W90 respectively in my E92. Had it done at an Indy shop and very pleased with the results. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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02-15-2012, 07:58 AM	#7
DASHOCKER The power of V! 99 Rep 1,971 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe steptronic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1998 Lexus Gs400 [0.00] 2010 ebony & ivory [0.00] 2006 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 pics [0.00] 2009 e92 335 xdrive [0.00]	amsoil is the way to go. __________________ 2007 335 coupe Alpine white, steptronic, sportpack, etc. (gone) 2006 X3 3.0 steptronic Titanium Silver, 2009 E92 335xdrive, next.... Caddy CTS_V! 13 Lincoln MKZ? hmmm.
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02-15-2012, 08:01 AM	#8
dassub Captain 60 Rep 965 Posts Drives: '14 328xi sport line Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 1981 Fiat 124 Spider [0.00] 2014 F30 BMW 328xi [0.00] 2006 E90 BMW 325i ( ... [0.00] 1988 Audi 90 Quattr ... [0.00]	I used Redline D4 in my MT (it's an AT fluid), and Amsoil Severe Gear in my diff.. both made a nice difference. Shifts are smooth as butter, and the power delivery is much improved at the diff (butt dyno).
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02-15-2012, 07:11 PM	#9
jacobsed Lieutenant 23 Rep 463 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (2)	I decided to go with red line ATF D6 for tranny. Red Line 75W90 for the diffs. BMW transfer case fluid. BMW motor oil.
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