ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe > General BMW Z4 Forum
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-25-2016, 11:15 PM   #1
XMetal
Colonel
XMetal's Avatar
United_States
1097
Rep
2,846
Posts

Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 Z4M Coupe  [10.00]
2018 Audi S3  [0.00]
2004 X5  [8.50]
Z4M transmission fluids

I know this subject had been discussed a gazillion times, but I would greatly appreciate your updated views/opinions on the matter after "living" with it over the years. Thanks.

1. What fluid did you select?
2. What was your reason for selecting it?
3. How well/consistent did it performed throughout it's service life?
4. Would you select the same fluid again?
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2016, 07:21 AM   #2
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

RP synchromax.

I've been using it for five years now and about 20k miles
It has stood up well.
I'll be changing it this year and will use the same again.

Generally smoother shifting than the OE fluid.

Old RP discussion here...
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=626963

I should add, that I have experienced other mt cars that were VERY sensitive to the type of oil used.
The worst was a G35 that I changed to Redline.
Soon as I got out of the driveway I knew it wasn't going to work.
Swapped the OE fluids back right away.
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)

Last edited by inTgr8r; 01-26-2016 at 11:40 AM..
Appreciate 2
      01-26-2016, 09:52 AM   #3
elerner61
Major
elerner61's Avatar
154
Rep
1,106
Posts

Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mount Kisco, NY

iTrader: (0)

+1 for RP Synchromax. Smooth shifting even in sub freezing temps (seems better than the BMW fluid ). Will be using it again.
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2016, 10:36 AM   #4
XMetal
Colonel
XMetal's Avatar
United_States
1097
Rep
2,846
Posts

Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 Z4M Coupe  [10.00]
2018 Audi S3  [0.00]
2004 X5  [8.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r View Post
RP synchromax.

I've been using it for five years now and about 20k miles
It has stood up well.
I'll be changing it this year and will us the same again.

Generally smoother shifting than the OE fluid.

Old RP discussion here...
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=626963

I should add, that I have experienced other mt cars that were VERY sensitive to the type of oil used.
The worst was a G35 that I changed to Redline.
Soon as I got out of the driveway I knew it wasn't going to work.
Swapped the OE fluids back right away.
Thanks. Glad to hear you're happy with RP synchromax and that you'll be using it again. That may sway me to give it a try

I've seen that old RP thread - just wanted to see/hear some long term opinions on it as some say it may not hold up long term.
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2016, 04:49 PM   #5
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

Me three. RP synchromax.
130k miles. Butter smooth.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2016, 03:59 AM   #6
Beedub
Major General
United Kingdom
423
Rep
5,327
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

stock.... more than happy with this.
__________________
Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build.
Multi award winning Detailing | Wrap | PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2016, 10:17 AM   #7
XMetal
Colonel
XMetal's Avatar
United_States
1097
Rep
2,846
Posts

Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 Z4M Coupe  [10.00]
2018 Audi S3  [0.00]
2004 X5  [8.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by elerner61 View Post
+1 for RP Synchromax. Smooth shifting even in sub freezing temps (seems better than the BMW fluid ). Will be using it again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
Me three. RP synchromax.
130k miles. Butter smooth.
Appreciates your inputs. What are your change intervals? 30K - same as stock? Did you see/feel any degradation as the fluid ages?

If I recalled, I used 2L of the transmission fluid on my last change - not sure how much I had left over if any. Will 2Q (bottles) of the RP synchromax be enough?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
stock.... more than happy with this.
I'm not that much in love with the stock fluid. It's OK, but I not as smooth as I would like.
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2016, 10:36 AM   #8
Beedub
Major General
United Kingdom
423
Rep
5,327
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by XMetal View Post
Appreciates your inputs. What are your change intervals? 30K - same as stock? Did you see/feel any degradation as the fluid ages?

If I recalled, I used 2L of the transmission fluid on my last change - not sure how much I had left over if any. Will 2Q (bottles) of the RP synchromax be enough?



I'm not that much in love with the stock fluid. It's OK, but I not as smooth as I would like.
i hear you, for me, i haven't had any issues to warrant a change in fluid.
__________________
Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build.
Multi award winning Detailing | Wrap | PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2016, 11:00 AM   #9
SaltyNC
Captain
SaltyNC's Avatar
368
Rep
870
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4M Roadster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
I can't offer any firsthand experience with longterm use, yet, but I researched this a lot. I don't know that I ever saw a negative comment regarding Royal Purple Synchromax. I think I saw one neutral comment that it was no better than stock, but never a negative comment. The majority said RP was excellent and offered better shifting characteristics over stock. It was what I had planned to use in my transmission. My Z4MR had original fluid at 30K, and my transmission was notchy and sometimes denied a 3rd to 4th shift at lower RPMs.

I now have Redline D4 in my trans. Just replaced. It's what my mechanic prefers. It is smooth right now, but I also did other work (VT engine mounts, Rogue trans mounts, CDV delete, and I have a weighted shift knob). It is like a different car, now. I know a lot of folks run Redline MTL and some a 50/50 split of Redline D4 and MTL. MTL is thicker. So, I'll report back when I've put 10-15K on this Redline D4. A few anecdotal stories are that Redline is excellent at first but shifting isn't as good after it has substantial miles on it. I may try RP in 15K miles if the Redline D4 degrades just to see if I can tell a difference.

Salty
__________________
2006 BMW Z4M Interlagos Blue/Black
Aux Port|LED Interior|LED Strip Trunk|Underseat First Aid Box|Stubby Antenna|Intravee II|BMW Oil Change Kit|Top Down Side Panels|Vibra Technics Engine Mounts|Rogue Trans Mounts|Engine Mount Bolts Upgrade|RS Windblocker|Euro Front Plate|M5 Illum Shift Knob|Supersprint Powerloop Exhaust|Gruppe-M Intake|RPI Scoop|Black Grills|19x8.5 ET35 F 19x9.5 ET22 R Sportline 8s PSS| Besian Vanos|CDV Delete
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2016, 11:59 AM   #10
jmillet
Captain
jmillet's Avatar
63
Rep
666
Posts

Drives: 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 SEL AWD
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
My Z4MC sees a lot of HPDS track time so I use a 50/50 blend of Red Line MTL and MT90 with an OCI of every other year.
__________________
Jim Millet
2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 SEL AWD Ultimate Red
SOLD: 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe Imola Red

Appreciate 1
      01-28-2016, 01:46 PM   #11
KevinM
Brigadier General
KevinM's Avatar
2931
Rep
3,285
Posts

Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tucson

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 M2 Competition  [10.00]
2007 E86 M coupe  [8.38]
2002 E39 M5  [9.00]
I need to change my transmission (and diff) fluid soon for the first time. I have no complaints with how the car shifts - that being the case I was going to go with OE fluid. Is there any other compelling reason to change to RP?

Thanks!
__________________
2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT
2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel
2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black
2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2016, 03:28 PM   #12
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by XMetal View Post
Appreciates your inputs. What are your change intervals? 30K - same as stock? Did you see/feel any degradation as the fluid ages?

If I recalled, I used 2L of the transmission fluid on my last change - not sure how much I had left over if any. Will 2Q (bottles) of the RP synchromax be enough?
30-35k miles. I round up to the next oil change and do engine, trans, and diff all at once.
2 qts. is enough. I think the trans officially holds 1.5 L.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
... Is there any other compelling reason to change to RP?
I'm pretty sure that last time I looked the OEM trans fluid only came in a big honkin' jug.
RP comes in quarts cheap from AutoZone, so for me it was mostly convenience.
I stick with the OEM diff fluid.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 1
      01-28-2016, 04:35 PM   #13
XMetal
Colonel
XMetal's Avatar
United_States
1097
Rep
2,846
Posts

Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 Z4M Coupe  [10.00]
2018 Audi S3  [0.00]
2004 X5  [8.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SaltyNC View Post
I can't offer any firsthand experience with longterm use, yet, but I researched this a lot. I don't know that I ever saw a negative comment regarding Royal Purple Synchromax. I think I saw one neutral comment that it was no better than stock, but never a negative comment. The majority said RP was excellent and offered better shifting characteristics over stock. It was what I had planned to use in my transmission. My Z4MR had original fluid at 30K, and my transmission was notchy and sometimes denied a 3rd to 4th shift at lower RPMs.

I now have Redline D4 in my trans. Just replaced. It's what my mechanic prefers. It is smooth right now, but I also did other work (VT engine mounts, Rogue trans mounts, CDV delete, and I have a weighted shift knob). It is like a different car, now. I know a lot of folks run Redline MTL and some a 50/50 split of Redline D4 and MTL. MTL is thicker. So, I'll report back when I've put 10-15K on this Redline D4. A few anecdotal stories are that Redline is excellent at first but shifting isn't as good after it has substantial miles on it. I may try RP in 15K miles if the Redline D4 degrades just to see if I can tell a difference.

Salty
I have all of your mods sans CDV delete and Redline. Gears 1-4 are not very smooth - very dependent on my timing. Sometimes it slides into gear like butter, most of the times not.

Thanks all for the excellent feedbacks
Appreciate 0
      02-06-2016, 01:06 AM   #14
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

Oh, if you're going to change the trans and diff fluid, you can never have too many shampoo pumps.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 1
      02-06-2016, 07:46 AM   #15
SaltyNC
Captain
SaltyNC's Avatar
368
Rep
870
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4M Roadster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NC

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
Oh, if you're going to change the trans and diff fluid, you can never have too many shampoo pumps.
Do you use that to extract or to fill or both?

I have a pump fluid extractor that I bought for topside in-between service oil changes. But, my india buys fluids in bulk, and I found out that he can do oil changes for cheaper than I can buy just the oil.

Salty
__________________
2006 BMW Z4M Interlagos Blue/Black
Aux Port|LED Interior|LED Strip Trunk|Underseat First Aid Box|Stubby Antenna|Intravee II|BMW Oil Change Kit|Top Down Side Panels|Vibra Technics Engine Mounts|Rogue Trans Mounts|Engine Mount Bolts Upgrade|RS Windblocker|Euro Front Plate|M5 Illum Shift Knob|Supersprint Powerloop Exhaust|Gruppe-M Intake|RPI Scoop|Black Grills|19x8.5 ET35 F 19x9.5 ET22 R Sportline 8s PSS| Besian Vanos|CDV Delete
Appreciate 0
      02-06-2016, 11:50 PM   #16
StickMon
My other car is on Mars
StickMon's Avatar
United_States
635
Rep
3,124
Posts

Drives: 2006 MR
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lo-Cal

iTrader: (1)

I bought 3, so I don't have to worry about cleaning them.
One for extracting brake fluid from the reservoir for a fluid flush, one to fill the trans, one to fill the diff.
__________________
Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
Appreciate 1
      02-22-2016, 10:46 PM   #17
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2272
Rep
12,559
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
I used to get the OEM MTF-LT2/3 but it's such a pain to source so recently switched to Redline and haven't noticed any difference.
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2016, 12:05 AM   #18
KevinM
Brigadier General
KevinM's Avatar
2931
Rep
3,285
Posts

Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tucson

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2020 M2 Competition  [10.00]
2007 E86 M coupe  [8.38]
2002 E39 M5  [9.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3002 tii View Post
I used to get the OEM MTF-LT2/3 but it's such a pain to source so recently switched to Redline and haven't noticed any difference.
Can't you buy the OE fluid from your local dealer? I only ask because that is what I plan to do...Thanks!
__________________
2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT
2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel
2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black
2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2016, 06:07 AM   #19
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2272
Rep
12,559
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
Can't you buy the OE fluid from your local dealer? I only ask because that is what I plan to do...Thanks!
Dunno about now but before they only used to sell in large volumes that would be of no use to me (like 2-3 flushes worth)
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 1
      02-23-2016, 09:06 AM   #20
Westersund
Captain
Westersund's Avatar
Sweden
478
Rep
859
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Hallstahammar

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinM View Post
Can't you buy the OE fluid from your local dealer? I only ask because that is what I plan to do...Thanks!
At least here in Sweden you can bring your own container and buy it by the liter.
Appreciate 1
      03-28-2016, 02:22 AM   #21
XMetal
Colonel
XMetal's Avatar
United_States
1097
Rep
2,846
Posts

Drives: Anything
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 Z4M Coupe  [10.00]
2018 Audi S3  [0.00]
2004 X5  [8.50]
Thank you all for your feedback. Changed out the transmission fluid today. Decided to go with RP synchromax from all the positive feedback here - WOW, what a difference! The 2nd gear notchy-ness/grind I had previously is gone now (just from my first drive after the change today). Gear changes are "buttah" smooth now - couldn't be happier with it

Thanks again!
Appreciate 0
      03-28-2016, 09:30 AM   #22
mckenna4978
Private First Class
United_States
21
Rep
110
Posts

Drives: 07' BMW z4mr-A08
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: chicago,illinois

iTrader: (0)

I changed the mtf and diff fluid at the same time when I took possession of the vehicle and didn't know the previous owners maintenance schedules. I used the bmw oem mtf in which I brought a container to the bmw dealer and they filled it for me. No problem with that and they were willing to help out. The diff. fluid is oem also because I read it could chatter around corners without having the proprietary friction material it was designed to have in it so aftermarket diff. fluid was ruled out. So I purchased a kit from ECS Tuning. All aluminum plugs changed out as well since I read they are a one time use. No issues. Seasonal driving here in Chicago, Illinois.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:43 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST