Manual gearbox fluid 318is ?

[BASHO]

I've just been quoted $210.00 for 5 ltrs (nothing smaller) of MTF LT-1 gearbox fluid (yellow sticker on gearbox) by good ole BMW.
I need 1.215ltrs for the change I have absolutely SFA I can use the other 3.785 ltrs for so apart from the cost, which is bad enough 75% will be wasted.
Does anyone know of an alternate gearbox fluid which is as good as or preferably better than the BMW offering which I can buy in one or two litre quantities--ot where I can buy the MTF LT-1 in one or two litre bottles ?

[tidythatshed]

My E46 also uses MTF LT-1, had difficulty obtaining it ( or BMW recommended alternatives) for a reasonable price too.
I am trying out Royal Purple Synchromax, it seems to be a bit lighter grade than the 75w-90 but the shift action is very good (in winter). Its a popular choice for M3 owners too.
It may not be the perfect choice, but I dont trust "Lifetime Oils" to go the distance so i change my gearbox & diff oils every few years anyway.
It costs about $25 a quart on eBay, 2 quarts does the job.
I did not want to use Redline as I have read that it causes the seals to swell around the shifter detents & causes the shifter to stick in the 3rd 4th plane.
The BMW TIS CD is a really good reference for lubricants, but you will find that a lot of the recommended oils are not available in Oz.

[BASHO]

I've just been quoted $210.00 for 5 ltrs (nothing smaller) of MTF LT-1 gearbox fluid (yellow sticker on gearbox) by good ole BMW.
I need 1.215ltrs for the change I have absolutely SFA I can use the other 3.785 ltrs for so apart from the cost, which is bad enough 75% will be wasted.
Does anyone know of an alternate gearbox fluid which is as good as or preferably better than the BMW offering which I can buy in one or two litre quantities--ot where I can buy the MTF LT-1 in one or two litre bottles ?

Thanks mighty for that , it's great to get a reply from someone who is actualy useing a product , I shall be following suit shortly.
'Lifetime oils'-ha- excuse me whilst I phone my lawyer , I believe this is a fiction peddled by BMW when they used to include scheduled services free with new vehicle purchase , the story has changed along with that little buying incentive.
Information I have recently gleaned leads me to believe that the MTF L-1 has been superceeded by MTF L-2/3 in the rest of the world and that this has a Dexron 3 base , I have no facts from BMW to support this though and if my experiance with BMW thus far is anything to go by doubt I will have.
Redline seems to have it's own storys one of which is that that it can , and does , congeal in the gearbox and in order to completely clear a gearbox after using it a stripdown is neccessary , hence the phrase 'Smurfs snot'.
I am using Gulf Western 10w x 40 SOUGI 6000 in the engine it's a group 5 full Synthetic and is available for around $60-$80.00 for 5 litres, it wont be available indefinately as no new batch is scheduled for production which is a shame as it's an exceptional product , just thought I'd mention in passing.
Please excuse the ignurans but what is the BMW TIS CD ?
And WTF is it with BMW $700.00 for a set of plug leads : I can have delivered to my door for just on $200.00 ?
Thanks again for the info.

[tidythatshed]

Not sure what TIS stands for, but it is a workshop manual on CD.
The one CD covers hundreds of models.
I bought mine off the internet (eBay) for about $10 a couple of years ago,
great resource but a little difficult to find your way around until you get used to it.
Turner Motorsports & Pelican parts in US are much cheaper than local BMW dealers.
I prefer to use factory approved lubricants, but they can be very difficult & expensive to obtain.
I use certain non factory approved oils in my vehicles & I am willing to take the risk.
BMW do extensive testing on lubricants, however, many of the modern current lubricants did not exist when older models were made & BMW do not (as far as I am aware) update their lubrication charts to include new products.
I work on a general principle that a 200kW 2.0 litre engine requires much higher quality oil than say a 75 kW 2.0 litre engine, & likewise for the whole drivetrain.
I do most maintenance myself & have done for years, you must decide for yourself if the risk of using non factory approved lubricants is justified.

[johna]

If you go to any of the major oil manufacturers websites most have a recommended lubricants system where you select your year, make and model and they tell you which of their oils are suitable for engine, transmissions and differential.

There is a summary for each oil brand for the E36 318is here:
http://www.motortraders.net.au/group...=77&article=85

[BASHO]

Thanks for the replys guys.
I have found another alternative it's Mobil1synth ATF Multi Vehicle Formula and its rulyl ruuly good --as long as you're happy buying it IN 20 Litre lots heeeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeeeeee.


Royal Purple Syncromax it is , $25 a quart and $15 frieght for two of em from the highly renowned Harold , ordered today !

[e30hills]

Royal Purple Synchromax
Did the change in my 318is and it nearly fixed the issue I had with it popping out of reverse.... It is nicer to shift as well.

[BASHO]

I have done the change with RP Syncromax as well , I'm not sure it's quite right as the gears are a tad draggy when it's cold , reverse is balky and second is reluctant both were the same before the change but not quite as pronounced , I have to say none are bad though.
It'll be fine for summer I'm sure.