getrag 240 m20 gearbox oil

[shaun_89]

I am going to be changing the gearbox oil on my 91 320i and im trying to figure out which gearbox oil is best.

Ive read on some american forums but they are conflicting between different grades on mtf and even atf in a manual box.

What does everyone use over here for the getrag 240?

Thanks

[Rtaylor2208]

Brianmoore, just posted this two threads down:

Sounds like both the gearbox oil and the hydraulics to me.
If it's still difficult to get into first after the hydraulics are sorted, then the recognised cure is to use ATF Dextron II in the gearbox, instead of SAE80; the same as used in the E34/36 gearbox.

[shaun_89]

Brianmoore, just posted this two threads down:

Sounds like both the gearbox oil and the hydraulics to me.
If it's still difficult to get into first after the hydraulics are sorted, then the recognised cure is to use ATF Dextron II in the gearbox, instead of SAE80; the same as used in the E34/36 gearbox.

I dont have a problem with my gearbox, it works fine. Just wanted to know the best oil to use in it.

[Brianmoooore]

I dont have a problem with my gearbox, it works fine. Just wanted to know the best oil to use in it.

Had someone come to me once, saying that they'd changed the oil in their gearbox and now it wouldn't engage first gear properly.
I asked them to examine the old oil, if they still had it, and sure enough, it was bright red.
Yours might just be working OK now, because it already has ATF in it.

[shaun_89]

I dont have a problem with my gearbox, it works fine. Just wanted to know the best oil to use in it.

Had someone come to me once, saying that they'd changed the oil in their gearbox and now it wouldn't engage first gear properly.
I asked them to examine the old oil, if they still had it, and sure enough, it was bright red.
Yours might just be working OK now, because it already has ATF in it.

Ok thanks, ill just use atf dextron II then. Will it be ok to use this even if mtf comes out of the box when i drain it?

[Brianmoooore]

The downside of ATF is that the box will rattle more.
I'd put back whatever is already in there.

[shaun_89]

The downside of ATF is that the box will rattle more.
I'd put back whatever is already in there.

How can i tell the difference? Is all atf red? If its not red its mtf?

[Brianmoooore]

No and no, but if it's red it's probably ATF and vice versa.

[HairyScreech]

iv been running atf for about 40k miles as per the suggestion, cant report any ill effects other than as said a slight increase in the rattle.