transmission and differential oil change?

[m3f_mgambini]

I picked up my 1999 M3 last night, so now I'm thinking of all the maintainance taht I should do. The operator manual says that the transmission and differential are "lifetime" fluids. Yeah right! In my old 1993 E36, I put Redline MTL in the tranny, and Redline oil in the differential, and it worked great. What have others done?

MikeG

[m3f_imports4ever858]

i replaced mine with stock recomendations but i know for sure that those fluids are not lifetime, u should expect to change them every 20-40k depending on your driving habits.. and trust me u will see what i mean after changing it out and looking at how black and messy the fluid comes out..

[m3f_ubersnax]

Yes that is such BS that BMW says they are lifetime fluids, they just don't want any liability when the tranny busts after them touching it.



I got mine done at the dealership, of course with the factory fluids.. BMW of BUST!

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

i need to change mine.. badly.. i wanna get teh redline MTL.. how is that in the E36.. feel good? what about the diff.. they have good diff lube? once again.. something else to do to the damn car..

[m3f_DesmoBob_e0fc43b145]

Originally posted by Purple99M3

i need to change mine.. badly.. i wanna get teh redline MTL.. how is that in the E36.. feel good? what about the diff.. they have good diff lube? once again.. something else to do to the damn car..



for manual trans i used redline D4 ATF (yes, ATF in the manual). actually i didn't notice any difference. :rockband: there should be a decal on the side of the tranny housing saying what type of fluid it wants. even the manual said ATF.

[m3f_ubersnax]

I was told that the synthetics from ATF or mobil1 wear the syncros more-so.. they shift faster and smoother but it wears them.. less protection i guess?

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

maybe.. but my tranny is making noise as it is.. i think it is a synchro or else it is just from the SSK.. anyways.. i think im giong to put some new diff and tranny lube in.. it needs it anyways.. and the redline stuff is suppose to be good.. im sure the tranny will need to be rebuilt eventually anyways.. hehe

[m3f_mgambini]

The manual calls for ATF on my old 1993 E36 also, but I used Redline MTL for more protection. There was a writeup that said that the MTL is just a little more viscous, and could be a little harder to shift when real cold. Never had a problem in mine. I also used the 7W90 LS stiff in the diff--also worked great.

MikeG

[m3f_ubersnax]

Why wouldn't you just want to use the BMW fluid that is supposedly "LIFETIME" as opposed to the others (Redline, Mobil1, Royal Purple)?



I don't believe BMW about the lifetime fluid, but I do suppose it would last longer than one that blatently states change every 30k? Just an idea..

[m3f_mgambini]

Good thought--I'll see what they sell, if they sell it. I would guess it's just synthetic also.

MikeG

[m3f_Angella_c036ec6b5f]

I think one that says change every 30k would suggest that the manufacturer knows a little more than the manufacturer of one that says it's a lifetime fluid, when it's not...





Or that BMW is not being honest?



Regardless, we're putting a new clutch in next week... the tranny fluid will be replaced with mobile1 atf at that time. I would like to do the diff also, but I'll go with whatever fluid Chris recommends for that.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

lemme know what chris recommends.. and i wanna see how that thing drives with the new clutch/flywheel.. gotta be bad ass.. ur car is going to be faster than mine! :thumbsup:

[m3f_mgambini]

Following up a suggestion to try to buy the BMW fluid, I checked availability with the dealer. Only avail in 55gal drums for service use only.

MikeG

[m3f_dapper83_ac01dd8204]

I used amsoil atf works great bmw reccomend redline atf though...

if you do your maintance through bmw they replace them during the inspection 2s.

[m3f_custom_6b7ab27928]

Just makes friends with one of the techs at Herb Chambers or Peabody and I am sure they can get you some for free.