[Stoatmaster]

Hi Guys,

Planning on changing the fluids on my 330i manual, what are the forum favourites for both the gearbox and the differential fluids?

As far as I can tell it's on the original 'Long life' BMW fluids at the moment, but 100k between changes seems madness.

Thanks

[Phil325i]

These are what I have in mine at present:

Gearbox: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amsoil-Ma...53.m1438.l2649

Diff: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amsoil-Sy...53.m1438.l2649

Fuchs are well thought of too...

[rusty0273]

I also have a 330i manual and after a bit if research, I have these sitting in my garage ready to go in during my next service.

Gearbox Fluid
https://www.carservicepacks.co.uk/?p...75w80-gear-oil

Diff Oil
https://www.carservicepacks.co.uk/?p...0-gl5-gear-oil

[rusty0273]

You can find a 10% discount code for CarServicePacks on here.

[Stoatmaster]

Thanks guys! Looks to be about 2l for gearbox and just over a litre for the diff.

[Tambohamilton]

Cheaper, and complies with BMW MTF-LT3 spec:
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-121329-...ssion-oil.aspx

Cheaper still, and recommended for MTF-LT3 applications:
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-981-fuc...ion-fluid.aspx

I'll be putting one of the above in my 330d gearbox (not diff!) in the next couple of months...

[Thermobaric]

I've been toying with a gearbox oil service but there seems to be some disagreement on how helpful it is depending on the schedule of servicing. Some people seem to think doing it at say 100K can cause issues with shifting as it's used to the older, heavily contaminated oil as opposed to fresh, clean stuff.

On the other hand, you hear of people saying it's a night and day amazing difference after changing gearbox oil...

[Tambohamilton]

If the syncros are worn that could be true...but for sure if you don't change your oil you will end up with worn syncros!

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

I've been toying with a gearbox oil service but there seems to be some disagreement on how helpful it is depending on the schedule of servicing. Some people seem to think doing it at say 100K can cause issues with shifting as it's used to the older, heavily contaminated oil as opposed to fresh, clean stuff.

On the other hand, you hear of people saying it's a night and day amazing difference after changing gearbox oil...

The symptoms you mention apply to auto boxes, not manual.

[stevesingo]

Castrol Syntrans V-FE 75W-80 Manual Transmission Fluid - 2 x 1 Litre

Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75W-90 Fully Synthetic Car Gearbox Oil - Formerly SAF-XO - 1 Litre

[Tambohamilton]

Why Syntrans V-FE, rather than Syntrans B?

I ask because I regularly see people recommend V-FE, but never B. Though B is specifically for BMW (ZF TE-ML 11), where V-FE has no mention of BMW or ZF application. TE-ML 11 is confusing though, because it covers a whole range of fluids and applications (LT2 and LT3 for a start!)

Thanks