M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: Gods_Son on July 22, 2013, 11:38:18 PM

Title: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: Gods_Son on July 22, 2013, 11:38:18 PM

I've searched and found that different fluid is called for depending on a sticker or marking on the bell housing. There is red, green or none. I seem to have an orange one but I'm guessing its just faded red but wanted to make sure, so here is the pic and if I can get some recommendations on fluid type that would be great (Redline alternatives would be great too)


*Edit- My car is 1991 318is

Title: Re: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: Slowered318 on July 23, 2013, 07:27:46 AM

I've had pretty good luck with Royal Purple Max ATF.  Been driving e30's since '98.

*Edit* I'm not sure why I typed Royal Purple when I was actually referring to Redline D4 ATF. :o

Title: Re: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: Gods_Son on July 23, 2013, 07:59:53 PM

Thanks for the response! I couldn't find RP fluid in my area so I grabbed some Redline ATF D4.

I'll report back with results :)

Title: Re: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: bmwman91 on July 25, 2013, 01:30:31 AM

Supposedly ALL M42's / Getrag 240's use ATF. However, I have run RedLine MTL for a very long time, and more recently RedLine MT-90 GL4 oil to quiet down the noisy input shaft (thank you, lightweight flywheel). If you find that it is hard to get into gear on cold mornings or the shifts just feel nasty, consider the MTL or MT-90. Otherwise you should be fine.

Title: Re: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: colin86325 on July 25, 2013, 11:00:06 AM

I use Redline ATF in mine.

Title: Re: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: Gods_Son on July 27, 2013, 06:39:12 PM

Put Redline ATF in and it now shifts like butter, very impressed with it  :)

Title: Re: Tranny Fluid Help
Post by: jrobie79 on August 05, 2013, 10:23:53 AM

Redline D4 ATF in mine...had the MTL, didn't like it, switched back to the D4; smooth as ever