Gearbox oil

[dt95aac]

Hello everybody,

The gearbox in my car is a bit tired in the change from 1st to 2nd.
It's not yet crunchy but it does not like to be rushed so I think it's due for an oil change.
Does anyone have any recommendation for an oil which will improve things?
I have heard good things about Redline MTL which is a GL4 oil as specified.

 

[lozcb]

Do we assume your car is the same as your avitar .

 

[del mar 2]

I used redline in mine last time i changed, did it make any difference ??

Couldn't tell, although the lay bearing does rattle !!

 

[dt95aac]

Do we assume your car is the same as your avitar .

Yeah sorry, car is a Ghibli II 2.0 with the 6-speed Getrag box.

 

[dt95aac]

I used redline in mine last time i changed, did it make any difference ??

Couldn't tell, although the lay bearing does rattle !!

My bearing also rattles, is there a cure for this?

 

[alpa]

My bearing also rattles, is there a cure for this?

Why to cure, is that a problem that it rattles ?

 

[dt95aac]

It's obviously annoying for one

 

[Rex B]

It's obviously annoying for one

I have used redline on my 3200 for the last 5 years and l thought it was an improvement.
The gearbox is quite notchy when cold but when warmed up changes smoothly which at 92k miles is not bad.
Give it a try it’s will only cost £50 for the oil and it will see to through the next service anyway.

 

[alpa]

The gearbox is quite notchy when cold but when warmed up changes smoothly which at 92k miles is not bad.

Would you consider "not bad" the same German gearbox to change smoothly at 92k miles in a BMW, or would you expect it to work perfectly for at least 200k miles ?

 

[Rex B]

I would depend on how the gear box had been used, serviced and built. The 3200 has 370Hp and lots of torque and if the gearbox if abused when cold I would expect some wear to the internal parts. The type of mileage i e short journeys would also effect gearbox and performance. All I can say is that in my 3200 using redline oil I thought the gearchange was improved enabling easier shifting of gears when cold which.

 

[CatmanV2]

Would you consider "not bad" the same German gearbox to change smoothly at 92k miles in a BMW, or would you expect it to work perfectly for at least 200k miles ?

I would feel that expecting anything mass produced to function 'perfectly' for 200k miles is somewhat 'optimistic' at best......

C

 

[del mar 2]

My bearing also rattles, is there a cure for this?

i did look into this, and consensus was that these do rattle, the BMW forums make reference to it aswell. You can get the layshaft bearing replaced but it was felt that didnt always cure it.

 

[Maurizio]

I have never been keen on additives, which I have always considered snake oil. Anyway, as the main bearing on my 2.24v was rather noisy, I listened to the advice of a fellow Biturbo owner and I dropped some Sintoflon Gearlube in it. In my case, it worked very well. The reduction in noise was not subjective or a placebo effect, it was impressive, and after several thousands km, it has not faded. A rebuild is due but the noise has been greatly reduced.

 

[dt95aac]

Coming back to this, following internet suggestions regarding similar Getrag boxes used on BMWs, I replaced the gearbox oil with Redline MTL 75W-80.
The change is phenomenal.
Gears engage easily from cold and fast changes are now possible without crunching noises.
Overall I'm very sattisfied.