BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

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


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing
 
European Auto Source (EAS)
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-17-2014, 08:51 PM   #1
BillK
Private First Class
44
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Has anyone used MTF LT 3 in their 6spd?

I was looking at the real oem website under transmission and for the e90 M3 manual, it listed the MTF LT 3 and did not list LT 2 as I understand the 2 is the factory fill. I've researched the net a little and found only a couple people switching to it and having positive results. They say shifting is much smoother. Anyone care to give a review of the LT 3?
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2014, 09:42 AM   #2
dparm
Stop the hate, get a V8
dparm's Avatar
United_States
3848
Rep
8,625
Posts

Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Frisco, TX

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillK View Post
I was looking at the real oem website under transmission and for the e90 M3 manual, it listed the MTF LT 3 and did not list LT 2 as I understand the 2 is the factory fill. I've researched the net a little and found only a couple people switching to it and having positive results. They say shifting is much smoother. Anyone care to give a review of the LT 3?
It's my understanding that you need to use the fluid that's indicated on the transmission's bell housing. I'm not up-to-date on the latest BMW MTFs, admittedly. Did LT3 supersede LT2? I don't believe it did, based on what I see. LT3 is a very low-viscosity fluid, and I assume that the M3 would be spec'd for a thicker fluid since it's an M car. We see that pattern in the rear differential too: it needs 75w140, whereas many other BMWs use only 75w90.

Here's a discussion on BITOG:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=2808003
__________________
Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan
Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2014, 12:35 PM   #3
BillK
Private First Class
44
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Interesting, thanks. As for the differential, I thought they all use the same stuff. The SAF-XJ + FM Booster?
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2014, 12:52 PM   #4
thekurgan
Bad Lieutenant
thekurgan's Avatar
United_States
232
Rep
3,517
Posts

Drives: E90M3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sacramento

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillK View Post
Interesting, thanks. As for the differential, I thought they all use the same stuff. The SAF-XJ + FM Booster?
You don't have to use the FM boosted stuff. I don't, it's just a different part number.
__________________
02 E39M5 | TiAg/Schwartz | Tubi Rumore | Ultimate Ti Pedals | E60 SSK | Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% | Coby Alcantara | StrongStrut STB
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2014, 08:04 AM   #5
dparm
Stop the hate, get a V8
dparm's Avatar
United_States
3848
Rep
8,625
Posts

Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Frisco, TX

iTrader: (1)

More FM additive quiets down the LSD at the expense of slower and less-complete locking. It's a personal preference kind of thing. Noise = locking.
__________________
Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan
Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
Appreciate 0
      08-21-2014, 02:22 PM   #6
BillK
Private First Class
44
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Well, I was at my local dealer today so I asked my service guy this question and he pulled up MTF -LT-5 on his computer. He said that's what comes up for my 2011 M3 in the manual transmission. This is getting confusing.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2014, 09:38 AM   #7
dparm
Stop the hate, get a V8
dparm's Avatar
United_States
3848
Rep
8,625
Posts

Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Frisco, TX

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillK View Post
Well, I was at my local dealer today so I asked my service guy this question and he pulled up MTF -LT-5 on his computer. He said that's what comes up for my 2011 M3 in the manual transmission. This is getting confusing.

From what I can see, LT5 supersedes LT3.
__________________
Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan
Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2014, 06:43 PM   #8
BillK
Private First Class
44
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

The LT5 is the same weight as the LT2. As for my internet searching skills, I found that the visc of LT2 is about 7.7, the LT5 is about 7 or 7.2 and the LT3 is about 6. This is according to "the internet" for what its worth. If this is true, then I wouldnt be concerned with using LT5. I bought 3 liters of the LT5 from the dealer and it ran me about $93 with my BMW CCA discount. I'll change the fluid in the next few weeks when I get a chance and post here if I notice any difference.
Appreciate 0
      09-05-2014, 09:55 AM   #9
BillK
Private First Class
44
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

OK, as an update:

I replaced the transmission oil this morning with the MTF LT5 since the dealer reassured me that oil is what they are told to use.
My initial impressions are that it DOES shift better than before. Its significantly less "notchy" when going into gear, and pops out of gear with a little less effort. The difference isnt dramatic "night and day", but it is noticably better.
Also, it seems the car rides more quiet on the highway. I'm glad that I did it,

A few notes:
The old oil had about 27.5k miles on it and it was very dark.
I managed to pump in approximately 2.3 liters of new fluid.
The cheapo electric oil pump from ebay is great (total pumping time was about 1 minute). A second pair of hands (assistant/wife) is very helpful for this step.
I needed a second jack to lift the front end up (from the front left jacking point) enough to fit the main jack under the central lifting point.
Flat top Esco jack stands are awesome.
When jacking the back up, stay clear of the shiny aluminum cover on the diff. Jack from the portion that's flat and looks like brownish cast steel.
Use hockey pucks with your jacks when jacking up the car at both ends.

Also, about 2 weeks ago I retroffited the shift knob with the illuminated M5 knob. That also helps in shifting as the throw is shorter and the knob a bit heavier. A nice mod.

Last edited by BillK; 09-05-2014 at 10:12 AM..
Appreciate 0
      09-09-2014, 05:45 PM   #10
Z K
Major General
Z K's Avatar
1886
Rep
5,504
Posts

Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (3)

What is this "cheapo electric oil pump"? How do you find it on eBay?
__________________
Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
Appreciate 0
      09-10-2014, 07:32 PM   #11
BillK
Private First Class
44
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 95 M3, 11 M3, 15 X5d, 20 X2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
What is this "cheapo electric oil pump"? How do you find it on eBay?
It's this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/361010767077
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2014, 01:46 PM   #12
dparm
Stop the hate, get a V8
dparm's Avatar
United_States
3848
Rep
8,625
Posts

Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Frisco, TX

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
What is this "cheapo electric oil pump"? How do you find it on eBay?
Auto parts stores also sell hand-operated ones for about $10.
__________________
Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan
Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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 12:12 AM.




m3post
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