Trans fluid recommendation for 128i/N51 6MT?

Matticus91 · 11-20-2018, 05:28 PM

Anyone do any non-standard fluid swaps? What do you use in your 128i and why?

desertman123 · 11-20-2018, 05:55 PM

Redline MTL

The Florida heat has me running thicker fluid. For the cold a lot of guys run Redline ATF D6.

02Pilot · 11-20-2018, 08:37 PM

I went with the Redline ATF, which is their recommendation. It shifts fine, but I do notice a bit more gear noise than with the previous oil (which I suspect was MTL). I will probably go to MTL on the next change.

mr.fabulous · 11-20-2018, 08:46 PM

Redline MTL

chris_flies · 11-20-2018, 08:55 PM

MTL, and I'm obviously in Virginia/Maryland area. I love it it; nice and smooth when warm, but a little notchy and stiff when cold (still manageable). It lets you know what's going on.

rowsdower · 11-21-2018, 05:36 AM

Another vote for Redline MTL.

Stubbie Blue · 11-21-2018, 07:19 AM

I also use Redline MTL instead of the D4 that they recommend for my 2012 135i. It is a bit notchy when cold even in sunny Florida, but once it warms up (within a mile or two) it's fine.

JimD · 11-21-2018, 09:02 AM

I put in MTL at about 10K miles and ran it until I changed recently at about 75K miles. I might have used it again but had trouble getting it quickly and decided to try D4 (still redline). There is more shift feel with the D4 and I think it shifts slightly quicker when cold. But I think the transmission was a little quieter and felt a little smoother with MTL. If you get really cold weather, I would definitely use the D4. Southern user, especially who garages their vehicle, can use either. I like the D4.

Matticus91 · 11-21-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertman123

Redline MTL

The Florida heat has me running thicker fluid. For the cold a lot of guys run Redline ATF D6.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02Pilot

I went with the Redline ATF, which is their recommendation. It shifts fine, but I do notice a bit more gear noise than with the previous oil (which I suspect was MTL). I will probably go to MTL on the next change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Redline MTL

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

MTL, and I'm obviously in Virginia/Maryland area. I love it it; nice and smooth when warm, but a little notchy and stiff when cold (still manageable). It lets you know what's going on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowsdower

Another vote for Redline MTL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubbie Blue

I also use Redline MTL instead of the D4 that they recommend for my 2012 135i. It is a bit notchy when cold even in sunny Florida, but once it warms up (within a mile or two) it's fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

I put in MTL at about 10K miles and ran it until I changed recently at about 75K miles. I might have used it again but had trouble getting it quickly and decided to try D4 (still redline). There is more shift feel with the D4 and I think it shifts slightly quicker when cold. But I think the transmission was a little quieter and felt a little smoother with MTL. If you get really cold weather, I would definitely use the D4. Southern user, especially who garages their vehicle, can use either. I like the D4.

Glad to hear you are all on the same page LOL!! Thanks for the input guys

Zombie_Head · 11-21-2018, 03:22 PM

I used Castrol 75w-90, shifted not so good.

I switched to another grade, still shifted a bit strange.

Ended up getting the original MTF3 from the dealership, shifted a lot better.

I might switch to MTL from redline, lots of you get good reviews for it.

11-20-2018, 05:28 PM	#1
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Trans fluid recommendation for 128i/N51 6MT? Anyone do any non-standard fluid swaps? What do you use in your 128i and why? __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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11-20-2018, 05:55 PM	#2
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Redline MTL The Florida heat has me running thicker fluid. For the cold a lot of guys run Redline ATF D6.
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11-20-2018, 08:37 PM	#3
02Pilot Malcontent 188 Rep 305 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I went with the Redline ATF, which is their recommendation. It shifts fine, but I do notice a bit more gear noise than with the previous oil (which I suspect was MTL). I will probably go to MTL on the next change. __________________ Life's tough. It's tougher when you're stupid. -John Wayne
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11-20-2018, 08:46 PM	#4
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Redline MTL __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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11-20-2018, 08:55 PM	#5
chris_flies Sideways and Smiling 3027 Rep 2,860 Posts Drives: In Exuberance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Rosamond, CA USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW E91 328i [0.00]	MTL, and I'm obviously in Virginia/Maryland area. I love it it; nice and smooth when warm, but a little notchy and stiff when cold (still manageable). It lets you know what's going on. __________________ 2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon \| Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather \| Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T (SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé \| Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec \| chris_flies' 128i thread
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11-21-2018, 05:36 AM	#6
rowsdower Captain 641 Rep 695 Posts Drives: 2011 128i 6MT Sport Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Another vote for Redline MTL.
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11-21-2018, 07:19 AM	#7
Stubbie Blue Private First Class 145 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I also use Redline MTL instead of the D4 that they recommend for my 2012 135i. It is a bit notchy when cold even in sunny Florida, but once it warms up (within a mile or two) it's fine.
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11-21-2018, 09:02 AM	#8
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I put in MTL at about 10K miles and ran it until I changed recently at about 75K miles. I might have used it again but had trouble getting it quickly and decided to try D4 (still redline). There is more shift feel with the D4 and I think it shifts slightly quicker when cold. But I think the transmission was a little quieter and felt a little smoother with MTL. If you get really cold weather, I would definitely use the D4. Southern user, especially who garages their vehicle, can use either. I like the D4. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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11-21-2018, 03:22 PM	#10
Zombie_Head Captain 594 Rep 704 Posts Drives: E30 325i 4-Door Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Bavaria iTrader: (0)	I used Castrol 75w-90, shifted not so good. I switched to another grade, still shifted a bit strange. Ended up getting the original MTF3 from the dealership, shifted a lot better. I might switch to MTL from redline, lots of you get good reviews for it.
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