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Gearbox oil changed - RP synchromax

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Adam D

Senior member
Langdon Hills, Essex
Add this to the things I wish I had done sooner!

Old MTF LT2 changed for Royal Purple Syncromax. Now I’m not going to say that it’s cured all the grumpiness of the ZF gearbox, 1st to 2nd can still be a little notchy, but I’m very pleased how much easier shifting it is and seems to be getting steadily better with a few miles since the change.

Worth doing if you haven’t changed your gearbox oil in a while for the modest cost :)

Adam
 
Interesting to see different oils making a difference. My mechanic swears by liqui moly but haven't tried it myself yet. Might give it a go after seeing these posts
 
I chose Ravenol MTF-2 as a good candidate after studying the entire market of ATF/MTF/DCT fluids. The Liqui Moly Top Tec MTF 5200 is a not an ideal choice on paper IMO. It is quite a bit thicker than the original BMW MTF-LT-2 and has a low viscosity index and higher pour point indicating more HC Group III and less Group IV/V base oils. The higher KV40 and lower viscosity index likely means this fluid shifts worse than the OE fluid when cold and in cold climates. Other good candidates are probably Redline MT-LV or MT-LV + MTL mix, Redline DCTF, Pentosin FFL-4, or even the above RP Synchromax.
 
Mine got fresh fluid when it had an Inspection 2 Service at RBM Hampshire on 77K miles. But as Ross who runs RBM spent 15 years at BMW it probably got what BMW specify.

The 1st to 2nd change was much better than before, but I think that probably had more to do with getting the CDV removed!
 
I would say by feel the RP Syncromax feels a lighter viscosity that the old goop that came out (was previously serviced by BMW so genuine LT2 and never found the shift particularly easy, clutch delay valve removed a long time ago too).

As the miles have gone up a little over the weekend it seems to be steadily improving, from cold its much more cooperative snicking into first gear when stopped.
 
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