[Fritzables]

Hi All,

I have a 2007 E90 323i 6-Speed Manual which I would like to change the oil in. The transmission has the 'Blue' tag on it.

The dealer says that only the BMW Oil MTF-LT-3 can be used and no other. The cost of this stuff is: AU$230 per 5 Liters.

I originally wanted to put the Royal Purple Syncromax.

Can I still go ahead and put the RP in??

Cheers
Fritzables.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Fritzables

Hi All,

I have a 2007 E90 323i 6-Speed Manual which I would like to change the oil in. The transmission has the 'Blue' tag on it.

The dealer says that only the BMW Oil MTF-LT-3 can be used and no other. The cost of this stuff is: AU$230 per 5 Liters.

I originally wanted to put the Royal Purple Syncromax.

Can I still go ahead and put the RP in??

Cheers
Fritzables.

If you do a search, you can find the Castrol-branded version of MTF-LT-3 and it may be less expensive than the BMW sourced ol. Of the data I have from the BMW TIS, it says not to use any other type of oil in the manual transmission, as non-OEM lubes may not provide adequate lubrication.

[AlanAZ]

I'm running Royal Purple Syncromax, as do a number of other people here. It takes less than 2 qts/liters. It shifts smother than the factory oil, but I don't consider it a long-life oil, and will change it at 30K miles. Changing it easy. There's a DIY in that sub-forum.

[Fritzables]

G'Day AlanAZ,

Thanks for the response. I'll make the change then say after 20K I'll get the oil analyzed to see how it's fairing up.

Not that it makes any difference, but why do you say it's not a long term oil??

Fritzables.

[Tom K.]

I was quoted a similar price a few years ago when I changed the fluid in my 5 speed E46. It turned out that was the price for the steptronic fluid. So I wound up buying a couple of liters of Redline MTL for around $20 and had my dealer install it - shifting was greatly improved, espeially in cold weather.

Tom

[AlanAZ]

Not that it makes any difference, but why do you say it's not a long term oil??

Redline I would feel comfortable keeping in for as long as I would an OEM oil (which is 1/3 - 1/2 less than what the dealership recommends), based on Redline's sterling reputation, but RP doesn't have that yet, and I don't want to risk my gearbox. I use Redline for everything else but engine.

btw, I grow up in Brissie, my brother still lives there..

[Fritzables]

Thanks AlanAZ,

Good feedback. Based on what you have just written, Redline will be the chosen one.

Where in Brizzy were you? I am on the Southside at Rochedale South. Originally from Tassie but I've had corrective surgery. :-)

[Fritzables]

Is this what I'm looking for?

RL132-1 MTL® Gear Oil 70W80 GL4 1USQrt

[jimk]

D4ATF for warm climate, D6ATF for cold.

[AlanAZ]

Where in Brizzy were you?

On the north side, Alderley; my brother lives in Clayfield. I was going back every year for a month, as my Mom was getting on and needed more help. She was now down the coast, Paradise Point. My sister-in-law has an E92 there, and her Mom has an E90 330i, our family is big into BMWs.

I didn't mean turn you off RP's Synchromax. I used Redline ATF in my E46 for many years and was happy with it, I heard people raving about Synchromax and decided to give it a try, and so far I'm very happy with the shifts - probably more than if I had Redline - I'll just change it every 30K miles, while the Redline in my diff, I'll change every 60k miles.

Mr 5 is running a heavier ATF from Redline in his car, you might want to read his write-up on it.

Good luck!