What is the differences in between this two product?

[SaNGRia]

Hello. I am about to replace my transmission fluid while we are replacing the rod bearings. I went ahead and purchased the 5L bottle from Ebay since it is a discontinued product. And the bottle is unopened and dated to 2008.

And then I was looking at the DIY guide of jjw2331 (http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=720669) and realized that my bottle is little bit out dated looking

And the most important part was I could not see anything like API-GL4.

So what is the differences in between? When BMW switched the oil? Or those are the same oils? If so why the new one emphasized API-GL4? Or the older version is for the regular BMWs not for the M trans? And final is the bottle I have directly came from Germany but the new one labeled in the USA since screaming the part of North America

And There was an information behind the bottle says this transmission oil is life time (M cars exceptional). And the funny part is my car is 08 and the reason I want to replace is to make it fresh. And bottle dated to 2008 as well. Yeah Very fresh!

Here is the bottles :

[doogee]

They're the same thing.

[monterey]

I wouldn't use something that old.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by monterey

I wouldn't use something that old.

If the container is sealed it is fine. Oils do not go bad on the shelf.

[monterey]

Originally Posted by doogee

If the container is sealed it is fine. Oils do not go bad on the shelf.

I had a very bad experience with old sealed oil so i disagree.

[SaNGRia]

Can someone clearly tell me something about that ??? Tomorrow is the day I will either open the bottle and replace it or return the bottle.

[deansbimmer]

Don't worry about the old oil. It's fine. If it were from 1985 I might say otherwise.

[monterey]

Originally Posted by SaNGRia

Can someone clearly tell me something about that ??? Tomorrow is the day I will either open the bottle and replace it or return the bottle.

Formulations change throughout the years. You wouldn't be getting the most recent cutting edge technology if you use something 8 years old. They recommend changing your motor oil every year regardless of mileage. The whole point of changing your fluid is to put in fresh fluids right? Would you be? In my case I purchased some redline oil from a guy who had it in storage. He didn't tell me how old it was. When i opened it and poured it in there was settlements in the bottom that had formed. The oil had formed precipitation from age. Luckily nothing happened but i learned to check dates now. Everything has a shelf life. Why do you think things go on sale lol? I just bought 3 liters from turners for 1 benny. I get paranoid buying from ebay sometimes. Who knows what's really in the bottle your getting.

[SaNGRia]

Well I replaced with the bottle that I had since we replaced the bearings. So far it feels a lot better. I hope nothing to worry Thank you for your help. I really appreciated

[dparm]

Oils don't go bad from sitting on the shelf. Blackstone has said this, as have several of the big blenders. The only reason you even see a date printed is for inventory control. I can't remember if it was XOM, but one of them said they had to start printing a date because they got tired of people calling to ask if the oil had expired. Even if there is some "settling" in the bottle, just shake it and pour.

Blackstone even did a fun test where they cracked open some very old motor oil (I think it was several decades old), ran it through one of their staff's daily drivers, and then did an analysis at the next change. There was zero indication of any new oxidation, increased wear, increased particulate count, etc. They admitted that the old oil didn't have the newer additive packages and base oil formulations, but the conclusion stood that oil doesn't "go bad".

The bottle designs can change for a variety of reasons. It could be something as stupid as "Castrol is now buying the plastic jugs from supplier B instead of supplier A".

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by dparm

Oils don't go bad from sitting on the shelf. Blackstone has said this, as have several of the big blenders. The only reason you even see a date printed is for inventory control. I can't remember if it was XOM, but one of them said they had to start printing a date because they got tired of people calling to ask if the oil had expired. Even if there is some "settling" in the bottle, just shake it and pour.

Blackstone even did a fun test where they cracked open some very old motor oil (I think it was several decades old), ran it through one of their staff's daily drivers, and then did an analysis at the next change. There was zero indication of any new oxidation, increased wear, increased particulate count, etc. They admitted that the old oil didn't have the newer additive packages and base oil formulations, but the conclusion stood that oil doesn't "go bad".

The bottle designs can change for a variety of reasons. It could be something as stupid as "Castrol is now buying the plastic jugs from supplier B instead of supplier A".

OK my bottle might be old and different. And I am hundred percent sure this is the one came with the car since it is 2008 production. But do this version have API-GL4?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by SaNGRia

OK my bottle might be old and different. And I am hundred percent sure this is the one came with the car since it is 2008 production. But do this version have API-GL4?

GL-4 is a classification for gear oils, similar to how you see things like SL, SM, SN for motor oils.

The MTF-LT-2 specification is a 75w80 GL-4, so yes, your bottle is GL-4.

MTF-LT-2 superseded MTF-LT-1 in 2004.

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by dparm

GL-4 is a classification for gear oils, similar to how you see things like SL, SM, SN for motor oils.

The MTF-LT-2 specification is a 75w80 GL-4, so yes, your bottle is GL-4.

MTF-LT-2 superseded MTF-LT-1 in 2004.

Great info. Thank you sir.