[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I probably should go and ask my guys at my BMW Zentrum. I am also curious as to what is the latest LTF-LT fluid to use. Like I said I suspect LT5 or LT6 is the latest version so far. I say that bc in the past bmw went from using LT-1 then LT-2 and then LT-3 and so on.
Dack

Thanks! Let me know what they tell you. I'm going to hold off on making a decision until then.

According to the ZF document, my transmission could use LT-1, LT-2 or LT-3 depending on how it's labeled.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by NoTempoLimitN54

Thanks! Let me know what they tell you. I'm going to hold off on making a decision until then.

According to the ZF document, my transmission could use LT-1, LT-2 or LT-3 depending on how it's labeled.

Yes, but that ZF document is pretty old. LT-4 just came out in 2010(I believe). When I went to change my 135i N54 manual trans fluid - my dealer told me that MTF-LT-3 had been superceeded to MTF-LT4. So I bought and used LT-4 fluid.

Send me your last seven digits of your VIN and model and I will ask my BMW Zentrum which oil your car needs.


Dack

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by NoTempoLimitN54

...I want to make a decision regarding this and get it done no later than 50k miles, which will be coming up for me in the next few weeks.

Thanks to everybody that has contributed info to this thread. Perhaps we can sort out all these issues, get some definite info, and make a stick thread so everyone can benefit.

Well... NoTempoLimitN54 I was at my local BMW Zentrum today. I found out which oils your car needs and how much!


Drum roll please...


BMW AG says your 335i uses MTF-LT-3 for the manual transmission. Originally the car came with MTF-LT-2, but BMW AG is showing LT-3 as the latest fluid.

I asked why my 135i shows LT-3 and then LT-4. And why the 1er M Coupe` aka 1M uses LT-5 - but my guys at the shop did not know why. I also asked them about LT-6 and they never heard of that fluid. Weird.

BMW NA does not sell the LT-3 oil in one liter bottles, only in Germany do they sell those. BMW NA only sells the LT-3 oil in a 5L jug, bmw part number #83227533818

I did not ask what the price is, but it is pricey from what I remember. Over 130 euros I think. I seem to remember Bav Auto also sells this oil. Or maybe try Tischer or United BMW for what they would charge you.


So... go ahead and use the LT-3 fluid in your trans. Btw your manual trans will need 1.6L of oil.

BMW AG says for your diff, Castrol SAF-XO is the correct oil. 75w90 grade. The diff takes just under 2.0L of oil.

here are some documents for you...

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Well... NoTempoLimitN54 I was at my local BMW Zentrum today. I found out which oils your car needs and how much!

Drum roll please...

Thanks Dackel!

I found out BMW USA dealers will sell you 0.5 L quantities of both lubricants (you have to bring your own container)

83 22 0 412 126 MTF-LT-3 $15.37 / 0.5L
83 22 0 002 094 SAF-XO $19.47 / 0.5L

I also happened to stop by a local AutoZone on Christmas Eve and guess what I found for $9.99 a quart:

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/secti...tentId=7036193

Only one problem: It's NOT SAF-XO equivalent. Viscosity 100ºC is very close:
Syntrax LS (USA): 15.0
SAF-XO: 15.2

But look at the Brookfield viscosity at -40ºC
Syntrax LS (USA): 150,000
SAF-XO: 42,900

And the pour point:
Syntrax LS (USA): -39ºC
SAF-XO: -57ºC

Definitely not the same stuff.

In the end I am going with Motul Gear 300 for the diff. Same exact viscosity as SAF-XO at 100ºC, but otherwise superior in every performance category for half the price. Can't find the expressly approved Motul Hypo Synt in the U.S., but the Gear 300 is still superior to the Hypo Synt in performance.

[Agentphish]

if I go to my dealership to purchase the couple of L of MTF I need, what type of container should I be bringing with me to fill? I don't have anything but some old motor oil jugs around...and I'm guessing that's no good.

Any information is helpful. I'm a DIY kinda person but have never really done a whole lot of car-related stuff before. I am taking my BMW Ownership as my opportunity to get comfortable and learn it all.

Thanks!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Agentphish

if I go to my dealership to purchase the couple of L of MTF I need, what type of container should I be bringing with me to fill? I don't have anything but some old motor oil jugs around...and I'm guessing that's no good.

Any information is helpful. I'm a DIY kinda person but have never really done a whole lot of car-related stuff before. I am taking my BMW Ownership as my opportunity to get comfortable and learn it all.

Thanks!

I keep all my 1-gallon windshield washer fluid jugs around the shop to store and transport various oils. They are easy to clean out with water and let dry (upside down) over night (or with shop air).

[Agentphish]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I keep all my 1-gallon windshield washer fluid jugs around the shop to store and transport various oils. They are easy to clean out with water and let dry (upside down) over night (or with shop air).

Duh. How am I not thinking of that. I just combined 3 2/3 empty jugs into 1 jug and tossed two empties too.

We humans are dumb sometimes