Transmission Fluid (oil thread part 2)

[sev]

I just ordered MTF-LT2 from ECS and put it in my car. The bottles had a 2019 production date.

[IamFODI]

I was under the impression GL5 is bad for our trans

Same, until recently -- which puts me a few years behind the legit lube formulation experts I had been (claiming to be) listening to.

GL-5 fluids used to be more chemically aggressive toward copper-containing metals, like the brass in most synchros. This was because GL-5 requires high levels of EP (extreme pressure) additives, and those additives can be corrosive. These days, though, it's not uncommon for GL-5 gear oils to earn the highest scores in ASTM copper corrosion tests. For those oils, there's no need to worry about copper corrosion. At that point, the only potential problem is if it has the wrong kind and/or amount of friction modification chemistry, which can interfere with synchro operation. Thankfully, that's easily felt and little more than an annoyance until you swap the fluid out with something better.

I’m getting ready to order. Do I need 2 or 3 L for this?

2L. Though it never hurts to have an extra.

[8000RPM]

I’m getting ready to order. Do I need 2 or 3 L for this?

[Arith2]

I just looked at some old Febi Bilstien fluid I bought for like $15 for 2L and it's 75w-80 GL-5 MTF-2 LT2/3. I was under the impression GL5 is bad for our trans but it's certified

I did my research on MT90 and it is literally twice the viscosity than the Pentosin. So I think I am better off with my Febi fluid.

[Obioban]

Saw this posted on E46Fanatics:

I know it's Pentosin testing Pentosin fluids, but they came to an interesting conclusion contrary to what seems to be the general understanding. Any thoughts?

I think when Pentosin made both fluids, they speced MTF2 for our cars.

[r4dr]

Saw this posted on E46Fanatics:

I know it's Pentosin testing Pentosin fluids, but they came to an interesting conclusion contrary to what seems to be the general understanding. Any thoughts?

[Feffman]

BMW MTF-LT-2 also available on getBMWparts, more than $10 cheaper.

You can buy both my bottles of Pentosin MTF-2 for $40 plus shipping. 😁

Feff

[chicane]

BMW MTF-LT-2 or Royal Purple Syncromax

[sina]

BMW MTF-LT-2 also available on getBMWparts, more than $10 cheaper.

[Obioban]

I don't know if it still exists as a part, but you can still order it for sure.

FCP has also never sold TWS or brembo BBK rotors (despite being a Brembo distributor and Audi (R8 V10 uses TWS) part seller)... sometimes they make choices not to carry things :P

[IamFODI]

^ Does it still exist as a BMW part? In that case, I'd imagine FCP Euro should be able to get it, too.

Or does ECS just have a crapload of that stuff in stock from before?

[Speed Monkey]

Why not use the real deal? ECS currently shows it on their website for sale. 🙄

[T.J.]

Not sure what you can meaningfully report. How much it degrades your syncros over the next 100,000 miles of running that fluid? gear wear?

Shift feel is generally down to thinner fluid feels better (and protects worse).... so that's not a particularly meaningful metric.

You know, I don’t think I saw the data sheet before I bought it, just went off bimmerworlds description of being the middle weight of D4 ATF and MTL, but it is actually lower viscosity than the D4 ATF. I will mix it 50:50 with MTL and should arrive at nearly the exact viscosity of the Pentosin MTF 2.

[IamFODI]

Red Line makes fine products. Plenty suitable for street use, barring their explicitly labeled race products. I just haven't seen the point in any application I've owned, influenced, or been responsible for. There always seems to be another product that offers some combo of OE approval, big company provenance, and/or more longevity.

For what my E90M experience is worth: I've been running FFL-4 in my 6MT, which also originally specced MTF-LT-2, and it's been fine as far as I can tell -- though if I could get MTF-2 from FCP Euro, I'd probably do that as a matter of course.

[bjz!]

75w80 GL4