1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change

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alb001
Joined: Mon 06 Jun, 2016 11:34
Posts: 24

  Z3 roadster 2.8

1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change

Post by alb001 »

I know it might be an old chestnut, but there seems to be a lot of conflicting threads on which is the right fluids to use.
I think my car has an LSD so I get the feeling I should be looking Castrol SAF-XJ 75-140 for the Diff, but for the Gearbox I am not so sure. Is it really ATF fluid as some have mentioned or is it an alternative oil. I just need to get it right in my head (and for my Z3!) The Z has done 80k miles. Many thanks
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1997 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster
1987 Urquattro
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: 1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change

Post by Del »

That's the correct oil for the diff with a LSD - but I would check for sure whether you have a LSD otherwise it's 75W-90. For the gearbox there is a lot of debate, confusion and differing opinions made worse by BMW secrecy :D . It should be a GL4 rated gear oil (not GL5 which has more anti-wear additives). The recommendation has tended to evolve as gear oil technology as evolved to cope with the range of possible temperatures. I've seen single viscosity 75W recommended, 75W-80, 75W-85 and the newest 75W-90. In my own 1.9 gearbox I have Castrol (fully synthetic) 75W-90 GL4.

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Southernboy
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
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Re: 1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change

Post by Southernboy »

Unless you have an automatic gearbox, I wouldn't suggest you use ATF in it. ATF is an acronym for Automatic Transmission Fluid. MTF is the acronym for Manual Transmission Fluid - which should tell you WTH you should be using. ( and yes, I refrained from using an F in the last acronym )... :nono
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alb001
Joined: Mon 06 Jun, 2016 11:34
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  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: 1997 Z3 2.8 Manual Gearbox and Differential Oil Change

Post by alb001 »

Thanks for the replies, by the way I do know what ATF & MTF mean! :)
I have read so many threads on here about different oils including putting ATF in the manual gearbox.
I have done this in the past with good results. I run an Audi 80 Sport with ATF for several thousand miles after it initially had a notchy gear change. it seems to do the trick.
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1997 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster
1987 Urquattro
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