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      07-15-2019, 09:13 AM   #1
MightyMouseTech
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Redline has released a lower viscosity version of their MTL called MT-LV.

http://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75w

Looks like it will be a good option for those of us who see severe winter conditions, and would prefer not to use the D4 or D6.

Going to try it in my new E90 manual 328i X-Drive.

I also find the Redline MTL to be a bit too thick in my summer 135i when the vehicle is cold, so will try a 50/50 mixture of MTL and MT-LV and see how it feels.
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      07-15-2019, 09:19 AM   #2
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The viscosities are as follows:


@40C/@100C
MTL 50.8/10.4
MT-LV 29.8/6.5
D4 35.1/7.1
D6 31/6.3

So it starts out as the thinnest fluid, then at operating temp, runs between the D4 and D6.
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      07-15-2019, 06:00 PM   #3
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I'll definitely be jumping onto trying this blend. Been running MTL for the second year and I'm not too crazy about it. Especially in the winter in general anything below 35F shift become very stiff and has a very unwelcoming sound first few shifts into second. I probably should have gone D4 but this might be a good compromise.

Thanks for the heads up as I was getting ready to change fluids in the next month or so so I can get a good baseline for both summer and winter.
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      07-16-2019, 11:51 AM   #4
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Hot fire!!! I'm gonna get some and have my shop blend it with my leftover MTL when they do my clutch and engine work..
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      07-17-2019, 08:03 AM   #5
parnet17
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Hey Shock and Awe, who do you use locally as your indy shop? I assume your in Charleston SC
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      07-22-2019, 01:54 PM   #6
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I'm going to be changing out my trans oil shortly, and living in MN this might be the golden ticket to good shifting year round.
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      08-03-2019, 09:09 AM   #7
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Changed the trans fluid on my 2010 E90 328i X-Drive. Filled with straight MT-LV. What a difference, shifts so nice now. No idea what was in there before, I just bought it, and appears it was changed at some point because they reused the drain/fill plugs and they were nearly impossible to get out.

Can't wait to try the 50/50 mix in the 1er.
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      08-15-2019, 04:52 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by parnet17 View Post
Hey Shock and Awe, who do you use locally as your indy shop? I assume your in Charleston SC
Ultimate Autowerks.

Nice to see another lowcountry member on here.
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      09-25-2019, 09:18 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Changed the trans fluid on my 2010 E90 328i X-Drive. Filled with straight MT-LV. What a difference, shifts so nice now. No idea what was in there before, I just bought it, and appears it was changed at some point because they reused the drain/fill plugs and they were nearly impossible to get out.

Can't wait to try the 50/50 mix in the 1er.
What did you have before the swap of fluids ?? I just placed the order for mine.. FINALLY!
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      10-25-2019, 07:32 AM   #10
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So, finally put this fluid in the 1er.

I did not like how it shifted when cold, (straight MTL) and when ambient temps are near freezing, it takes forever to thin out enough. So, I tried using a mix of MTL and MT-LV.

I drained the trans, and first put in a full quart of MTL, then topped up the rest (0.5 quart?) with MT-LV.

Wow!

Feels amazing. Gear shifts are smother than anything else I have tried, warm or cold.

I am a believer.

I also run straight MT-LV in my E90 X-Drive that is my winter car. Feels good in there, but the shifter requires rebuilding, will see how it feels after that.
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      10-25-2019, 08:50 AM   #11
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Bimmerworld claims the MT-LV is superior to the ATF D4, not only in the cold but also in high temp applications.

I used MTL once in my car that sees winters, never again. Been running D4 since then but will likely switch it out entirely for the MT-LV when I’m due for the next fluid change.
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      10-25-2019, 01:02 PM   #12
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What's wrong with pentosin FFL-3?
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      10-25-2019, 01:06 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbnks2 View Post
What's wrong with pentosin FFL-3?
Dunno, never tried it. Have a link to viscosity specs?
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      10-25-2019, 01:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Dunno, never tried it. Have a link to viscosity specs?
IDK the transmission fluid debacle is crazy. Not even the dealer knows what to put into these gearboxes... from what I understand FFL-3, and now FFL-4, is the aftermarket equivalent to BMW MTF fluid. They are DCT fluids used in the various gearboxes across many high-end cars.

From FCP EURO:
"Please note: FFL-4 recently replaced MTF-LT-2 for older manual transmissions. FFL-4 and MTF-LT-2 are both 75W80 fluids with almost identical properties. Because of this changeover FFL-4 can be used in manual transmissions or transfer cases that required MTF-LT-2 manual trans fluid. FFL4 fluid can also be used in applications that require MTF-LT-3 fluids as well."

From ECS:
"Pentosin FFL3 Double Clutch Transmission Fluid is specially formulated to meet the requirements of Porsche PDK transmissions. Porsche approved. Approved for BMW 6-Speed Manual Transmission 2010-on."

I think just as important as the viscosity spec's are that you are using a fluid designed with the right additives. Redline makes a high quality oil but quite frankly I don't think they have changed much of anything in their fluids over the past few decades. Pentosin/OE fluid just seems like the way to go. I honestly have never felt any benefit from using Redline in the transmission. Only detrimental shifting behavior. Redline is not very clear on what type of friction modifiers are in their transmission fluids. They just make blanket statements like "improved synchronization," etc.

I believe the correct Redline recommendation for BMW MT boxes is supposed to be their DCTF fluid. who knows though as they have changed their website recommendation multiple times over the years. Evidence by the 100 different threads all quoting redline as saying 100 different things. Nothing I see suggests you should use a regular MT fluid in the trans even if it is a thin MT fluid like this new Redline product.

Specs to FFL-4:
http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_FFL-4.pdf

Last edited by bbnks2; 10-25-2019 at 01:56 PM..
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      10-25-2019, 02:09 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Dunno, never tried it. Have a link to viscosity specs?
This new MTF-LV appears to be listed as a suitable replacement for BMW: 83220397244/83222409710 which is the fluid spec'd for BMW's various AT transmissions.

I'd stick with a DCT fluid in the 6mt
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      10-30-2019, 09:55 AM   #16
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I've stuck with manual fluid from BMW. Never had any issues and trans shifts like butter.
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      11-13-2019, 08:15 AM   #17
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Forgive my ignorance, but what benefit would a transmission fluid designed with additives for a wet clutch transmission provide? Wouldn't there be trade offs made to cater to the wet clutch?

Isn't it wiser to use a fluid that was formulated to cater to a dry clutch transmission like ours?
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      11-13-2019, 01:15 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suhb View Post
Forgive my ignorance, but what benefit would a transmission fluid designed with additives for a wet clutch transmission provide? Wouldn't there be trade offs made to cater to the wet clutch?

Isn't it wiser to use a fluid that was formulated to cater to a dry clutch transmission like ours?
We are talking about manual transmission fluid. By clutch do you mean synchros?

I am no engineer, but, BMW AND ZF (the maker of the transmission) must recommend a DCT fluid for a reason They are supposed to be low friction synchros so maybe the friction modifiers in a MTF are no good

Last edited by bbnks2; 11-13-2019 at 01:23 PM..
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