Which Trans fluid to use on E46 M Manual

[zzyzx85]

I've been using Motul Gear 300 75W-90 in my gearbox and have been happy with it. A little stiff when cold but I recall that's how this gearbox is. Shifting has been consistent after many days of track use.

[bigjae46]

FYI Pentosin was rebranded as Fuchs:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-manual-trans-service-kit-e46-23117527440kt#description

https://help.fcpeuro.com/hc/en-us/articles/26372525756173-Where-did-Pentosin-go-what-is-Fuchs

Also noticed some comments in here about MTF being for manual M3s but it's for SMG M3s as well as they share the same transmission. SMG cars use an additional fluid (CHF11S) for the hydraulic pump.

Now our cars have Fuchs and F.A.G....lol

[JokerElite]

FYI Pentosin was rebranded as Fuchs:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-manual-trans-service-kit-e46-23117527440kt#description

https://help.fcpeuro.com/hc/en-us/articles/26372525756173-Where-did-Pentosin-go-what-is-Fuchs

Also noticed some comments in here about MTF being for manual M3s but it's for SMG M3s as well as they share the same transmission. SMG cars use an additional fluid (CHF11S) for the hydraulic pump.

[CarbonBlkM3]

I'm running Redline MTL for 5 years/20k so far, no issues. But I wouldn't call the shifting buttery smooth by any means. Before that I tried Royal Purple which did feel worse. Maybe I should go OE

I mean I think traditionally Getrag 6-speed was never know to be a silky transmission. IMO the Tremec 3550 i had in my old fox body had more smoother shifts.

[CarbonBlkM3]

I had nothing but good results using Royal Purple Synchromax, especially during cold weather months where the shifts would be notchy with the OEM fluid.

[Lee_Enfield]

What's a "good" price for BMW MTF-2? I think I paid in the mid 30's Canadian each from the dealer when I did mine in 2021. Might do it again this winter to flush it again, since there was some form of ATF in there when I changed it.

I'm sure it's gone up but if it's still decent I might buy a few changes worth just to stash.

[Will]

That's interesting because I literally had to change the D4ATF after every event or the transmission would get super notchy and hard to get into gear.
...

I tried D4ATF and it felt pretty good for about 5000 miles of street driving, then became notchy into 2nd. Flushed it with new D4ATF and no improvement with notchy-ness in 2nd. Went to Pentosin MTF-2 after 3000 miles, still kind of notchy into 2nd, esp when cold, but it has improved.
Doing another fluid change, now with FFL4. Should have stuck with Pentosin / OE BMW fluid, esp since this is a street car for DD.

[eacmen]

That's interesting because I literally had to change the D4ATF after every event or the transmission would get super notchy and hard to get into gear. I used the MTL when my 6 speed was on its last legs, it worked and got the synchros to spin up so I could shift into 3rd and 4th.

The MTL on a cold day definitely makes the transmission feel like a truck transmission until it warms up.

Yeah i think RL took this feedback and made something in between. Also I am SMG so I don’t actually feel the shifter, but I can tell when the SMG system is happy and when its not.


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[bigjae46]

Recently switched to the redline MT-LV and no complaints:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-MTLV-Quart.html

That's interesting because I literally had to change the D4ATF after every event or the transmission would get super notchy and hard to get into gear. I used the MTL when my 6 speed was on its last legs, it worked and got the synchros to spin up so I could shift into 3rd and 4th.

The MTL on a cold day definitely makes the transmission feel like a truck transmission until it warms up.

[DJAM3]

Ravenol 75W-80 MTF-2 is still available as an alternative to Pentosin. I've been using this for several years.

[eacmen]

Recently switched to the redline MT-LV and no complaints:

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-MTLV-Quart.html

[bigjae46]

what's the "issue" with Redline?

I find that it works fine but it does need to be changed often. I change mine every 6 months because it's a track car.

[digger]

what's the "issue" with Redline?

[Crossworth]

Too thick, esp for colder climates.

Might be a good choice for track car in warmer climate.

Tbonem3

Thank you for your advice and everyone else who chimed-in. In summary, stick with what is tried and true, which is Pentosin MTF LT2 or FFL4 . Off I go to complete my shopping list for Cyber Monday.

[Tbonem3]

Agreed. I'd only go back to OE or Pentosin's MTF2 if I could find it for a good price or had a stash like Ian.