Fluids for M3 E46

MikeSamteladze · 09-25-2011, 09:58 AM

I've search a lot around the M3 forums but never could get final answers on questions that sounds like:

What oil should I use for engine?
What oil should I use for Manual Gearbox?
What oil should I use for Differentials?

The only final answer I've got is that every M series BMW must be supplied by
10W-60 type of oil. BMW Recommends, Castrol, but I couldn't get Castrol 10W-60 in my country so I used Shell 10W-60.

Meanwhile two other question are still open for me. I saw a lot of strange recommendations but couldn't understand none of them.

Can anyone please help me with choosing manual gearbox and differential oils (fluids).
What brand is recommended and what type.

Thanks.

IFX · 09-26-2011, 01:38 PM

differential fluid i have at my shop, 3 bottles.. PM me and when i get there tommorow i will check for you.

I ordered it from tischer BMW. Drain and fill bolt must also be changed as well.

MikeSamteladze · 10-02-2011, 05:56 AM

I don't have access to PMs maybe you'll write me first

Dackelone · 10-02-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeSamteladze

I've search a lot around the M3 forums but never could get final answers on questions that sounds like:

What oil should I use for engine?
What oil should I use for Manual Gearbox?
What oil should I use for Differentials?

The only final answer I've got is that every M series BMW must be supplied by
10W-60 type of oil. BMW Recommends, Castrol, but I couldn't get Castrol 10W-60 in my country so I used Shell 10W-60.

Meanwhile two other question are still open for me. I saw a lot of strange recommendations but couldn't understand none of them.

Can anyone please help me with choosing manual gearbox and differential oils (fluids).
What brand is recommended and what type.

Thanks.

What oil should I use for engine? = BMW says to use Castrol TWS 10w60
What oil should I use for Manual Gearbox? MTF-LT-4
What oil should I use for Differentials? Castrol SAF-XJ

Asking which engine oil to use is a loaded Question, bc you will get MANY different answers. It is almost like asking which religion is best.

I use German made Castrol oil in my 135i. Castrol RS Edge 0w40 LL-4. I think for your e46 M3 you need to use the Castrol TWS 10w60 oil.

For the trans... it came with BMW MTF-LT-2, which went to MTF-LT-3, and now has been superceeded to MTF-LT-4 oil now. DO NOT use MTF-LT-5 bc that fluid is only for the 1M trans.

Some people have used Redline ATF in their manual trans. Redline's D4-ATF or D6-ATF is good oil. D6 is thinner than the D4. I would suggest to use the D4 oil. You will need two liters - I believe.

For the diff you want to use Castrol SAF-XJ, which is a GL5, SAE 75W140, BMW LS gear oil. It is sold in 1/2 liter bottles. You will need less then 1.5L I believe.

Here are two good German sites that sell many of the BMW oils at discounted prices.

http://www.oeldepot24.de/catalog/index.php

http://www.oelwelt24.de/catalog/Moto...+Longlife+Oele

Dackel

Obioban · 10-03-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

What oil should I use for engine? = BMW says to use Castrol TWS 10w60
What oil should I use for Manual Gearbox? MTF-LT-4
What oil should I use for Differentials? Castrol SAF-XJ

Asking which engine oil to use is a loaded Question, bc you will get MANY different answers. It is almost like asking which religion is best.

I use German made Castrol oil in my 135i. Castrol RS Edge 0w40 LL-4. I think for your e46 M3 you need to use the Castrol TWS 10w60 oil.

For the trans... it came with BMW MTF-LT-2, which went to MTF-LT-3, and now has been superceeded to MTF-LT-4 oil now. DO NOT use MTF-LT-5 bc that fluid is only for the 1M trans.

Some people have used Redline ATF in their manual trans. Redline's D4-ATF or D6-ATF is good oil. D6 is thinner than the D4. I would suggest to use the D4 oil. You will need two liters - I believe.

For the diff you want to use Castrol SAF-XJ, which is a GL5, SAE 75W140, BMW LS gear oil. It is sold in 1/2 liter bottles. You will need less then 1.5L I believe.

Here are two good German sites that sell many of the BMW oils at discounted prices.

http://www.oeldepot24.de/catalog/index.php

http://www.oelwelt24.de/catalog/Moto...+Longlife+Oele

Dackel

Incorrect on the trans-- LT2 is the correct fluid for the e46 M3. Not LT3, not LT4, not LT5.

Dackelone · 10-03-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obioban

Incorrect on the trans-- LT2 is the correct fluid for the e46 M3. Not LT3, not LT4, not LT5.

From what my BMW dealer has told me... LT2 has been superceeded to LT3. LT3 has now gone to LT4. LT4 is the latest and greatest fluid so to speak.

ie: IF your trans came with LT2 you should now order(or will get in LT2's place) the LT4 oil. I could be wrong but you should check with your dealer of choice.

Btw.. FYI... LT5 is only used in the 1M trans.

M3Bahn · 10-04-2011, 12:37 PM

83220421925

This is the BMW part # I found for the MTF-LT-4.

Now I wonder if it's for the the SMG in E46?

Dackelone · 10-04-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Bahn

83220421925

This is the BMW part # I found for the MTF-LT-4.

Now I wonder if it's for the the SMG in E46?

Yes, that is the correct BMW part number for the MTF-LT-4. I think it only comes in a 5L jug, but my dealer(Zentrum) sold me 2.5 liters for 46 euros. From what I remember they buy the MTF-LT-4 in large (60+ liter)drums.

I have no idea on what is the correct trans fluid for a SMG e46. Perhaps someone here knows. ?

09-25-2011, 09:58 AM	#1
MikeSamteladze Registered 4 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E46 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tbilisi iTrader: (0)	Fluids for M3 E46 I've search a lot around the M3 forums but never could get final answers on questions that sounds like: What oil should I use for engine? What oil should I use for Manual Gearbox? What oil should I use for Differentials? The only final answer I've got is that every M series BMW must be supplied by 10W-60 type of oil. BMW Recommends, Castrol, but I couldn't get Castrol 10W-60 in my country so I used Shell 10W-60. Meanwhile two other question are still open for me. I saw a lot of strange recommendations but couldn't understand none of them. Can anyone please help me with choosing manual gearbox and differential oils (fluids). What brand is recommended and what type. Thanks.
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09-26-2011, 01:38 PM	#2
IFX Banned 67 Rep 2,536 Posts Drives: AW e46M/N54 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Fla. iTrader: (1)	differential fluid i have at my shop, 3 bottles.. PM me and when i get there tommorow i will check for you. I ordered it from tischer BMW. Drain and fill bolt must also be changed as well.
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10-02-2011, 05:56 AM	#3
MikeSamteladze Registered 4 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E46 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tbilisi iTrader: (0)	I don't have access to PMs maybe you'll write me first
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10-04-2011, 12:37 PM	#7
M3Bahn Lieutenant 321 Rep 483 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ATL iTrader: (0)	83220421925 This is the BMW part # I found for the MTF-LT-4. Now I wonder if it's for the the SMG in E46? __________________ The journey is the reward.
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