A question of lubrication - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Chas C · 10th April 2006, 11:35

I'd like to change the engine, gearbox and diff oils.

What's percieved wisdom with regard to the best brand of oils to use in the 3.6 (@100k miles)? There's an engine bay sticker which tells me to use Wintershall oil !

Am I right in thinking the manual box uses auto transmission fluid?

What about the diff?

Any advice gratefully received.

noMi5 · 10th April 2006, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas C

I'd like to change the engine, gearbox and diff oils.

What's percieved wisdom with regard to the best brand of oils to use in the 3.6 (@100k miles)? There's an engine bay sticker which tells me to use Wintershall oil !

Am I right in thinking the manual box uses auto transmission fluid?

What about the diff?

Any advice gratefully received.

Hi Chas,

I`m about to do the exact same.
Have searched around the forum with regards to this subject and as usual there are varying preferences.

Diff - Castrol SAF-XJ 75W-140 API GL5 seems to be the real mccoy
Castrol Syntrax 75W-90 appears to be an acceptable alternative

Gearbox - Depends on what derivative of box you have.
There are 4 different coloured labels on the casings informing
you which oil to use - mine is Orange and states ATF.
I`m about to use Dexron III based on info found on this forum.

Engine - Real varying thoughts/advice on this one - Mineral? Synthetic?
I use 10W40 Castrol non-synthetic again based on advice found
here.

The choice is yours.

Hope that starts pointing you in some sort of direction.

Cheers.

illjah · 10th April 2006, 12:54

I've just changed my gearbox oil to redline atf, its supposed to make for a smoother/quieter change. I'm yet to drive it tho! Previously just had normal atf....

i bought two bottles from here:

http://www.mtmotorsport.co.uk/redline/

also added an STP gearbox additive (which I think consists of molybdenum disulphide) to try and quieten my 6 speed at idle.

don't even get into the subject of engine oils - like tyre choice its a very personal choice, but most 10W/40 semi-synthetic is ok. a search will pull up plenty of long winded threads about fully synthetics, and the use of the higher 'quality' oils etc.

Alan Archer · 10th April 2006, 20:34

I change the gearbox & diff oil every year,
this time round I used Dextron III in the box and its an improvement
on shift quality compaired to earlier oils used.
Castrol oil in the diff too (off the shelf so easy peasy).

Regards,

Alan.

ilovemy_e34 · 10th April 2006, 20:40

"A question of lubrication"

In America you would be making reference to which intimate lubricant to choose...

Lubrication in America translates to OIL, I mean OIL -- say it from the gut; as if all economic, political and ethical decisions revolve around this dark muck.

Just FYI

Sebring NL · 10th April 2006, 21:08

Wintershall..That's a nice story..It used to be a factory made by the Nazi's in WWII for experimental fuel etc. BMW appears to have bought this factory and used its formula's for the mixture that was used in the Turbo F-1 cars and the M3 touringcars.

I'm having the oil in the box and diff changed before the 'Ring meeting, and have got me some Castrol oil from a supplier to try for the 'box . I'll look up the exact specs as I have the bottles at the office.

graham4242 · 10th April 2006, 21:12

For engine OIL

I use 0-40 RS seams OK very smoth idle (relativly). Go on Chas be a bit different - but if your car blows up don't blame me OK!

Are you going to Scone at the end of the month? with this total BMW malarky?

yewcorner · 10th April 2006, 21:13

I'm using Amsoil ATF for gearbox and their LSD diff oil 75/95. Currently Silkolene 15w50 synthetic for the engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas C

I'd like to change the engine, gearbox and diff oils.

What's percieved wisdom with regard to the best brand of oils to use in the 3.6 (@100k miles)? There's an engine bay sticker which tells me to use Wintershall oil !

Am I right in thinking the manual box uses auto transmission fluid?

What about the diff?

Any advice gratefully received.