Redline MTL is a popular choice for many BMW and Mini Cooper owners with manual transmission. Red Line MTL is GL-4 and does not contain the reactive sulfurs found in most GL-5 oils that cause damage, so it's safe for most manual transmission synchros. Other synthetic gear oils are often too slippery for proper synchro engagement, but MTL has the appropriate coefficient of friction, so it offers excellent gear and synchro protection, plus balanced slipperiness for easier shifting in cold climates, too.
MTL is a 75W80 GL-4 gear oil for use in manual and SMG transmissions on both street and track. The wide viscosity of MTL allows proper shifting over the entire temperature range which the transmission will experience. The synthetic base oils used have a very high viscosity index which provides relatively constant viscosity as temperature changes. MTL is a low 75W at very low temperatures and a high 80W, nearly an 85W, at elevated temperatures, providing adequate viscosity to prevent wear and deaden gear noise.
For BMW applications, MTL is most commonly used on older models (E30 and older) or newer manual transmission cars that see heavy track use with extreme temperatures and need an oil thicker than ATF D4 or MT-LV. If MTL causes difficult shifting in cold weather, consider the Red Line MT-LV with a lighter viscosity. MTL is not to be used in any automatic transmissions.
- Offers quicker shifts, perfect synchronizer coefficient of friction
- Eliminates notchy shifting, even when cold
- High-performance gear protection and longer synchro life
- Recommended for GL-1, GL-3, and GL-4 applications as well as where most special synchromesh fluids are specified
BMW Fitments:
3 Series
E21 (75-83) > 320i
E21 (75-83) > 323i
3 Series
E30 (84-91) > 318i
E30 (84-91) > 318is
E30 (84-91) > 325i
E30 (84-91) > 325is
E30 (84-91) > 325ix
E30 (84-91) > M3
5 Series
E28 (82-88) > 533i
E28 (82-88) > 535i
E28 (82-88) > M5 (87-88)
5 Series
E34 (89-95) > 525i M20
E34 (89-95) > 525i M50
E34 (89-95) > 535i
E34 (89-95) > M5 (91-95)
6 Series
E24 (77-89) > 633CSi
E24 (77-89) > 635CSi
E24 (77-89) > M6