Castrol 10W-60 TWS

[mike100]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

What does ZF-Doc recommend?

The Castrol 10w-60...but he lives in Phoenix so the prevailing oil weight philosophy tends to be heavier grades since the 7 months of summer is so hot there.

[tonywy]

I used Amsoil Synchromesh, could not believe that an oil change from the GM stuff could make such a difference. Shifts better cold, no more gear rattle and as well when hot.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

What does ZF-Doc recommend?

From ZFDoc Questions and Answeres

(Q.) I just bought, at the local BMW dealership, 3 liters of the Castrol TWS 10W60 oil. I was surprised to see that it is motor oil. Not being a lubrication engineer myself, who did the investigation and determination that this product is compatible with and good for our ZF transmissions? Jim � Grand Sport Registry

(A.) Jim, the C4 Corvette ZF S6-40 6-speed transmission uses engine oil for lubrication. I was told by Jeff Henning, Warranty Administrator of ZF Industries North America, that Engineering of ZF Industries in Germany determined that the BMW imported Castrol (RS superseded by TWS) 10W-60 oil was the recommended alternative to the (GM P/N 1052931) factory-fill oil for use in the ZF S6-40 transmission. In effort to verify ZF Industries alternative lubricant recommendation, we ran our own test series on the BMW imported Castrol TWS 10W-60 oil. Independent testing of the transmission oil samples was sub-contracted out to CTC Analytical Services. The test series went as follows:
<1> Spectrographic analysis indicated that it is has full synthetic composition.
<2> After 2 hours of operation, approximately 100 miles, oil sample analysis tests indicated that the viscosity rating was reduced from 60 down to a 43 level. No need to worry, this is a normal occurrence for this heavier type of oil. I attribute this to microscopic-level lubricant-strand trimming through operational loading where all of the oil contents has been passed through gear pressure-loading regions at least a few times.
<3> At 200 miles, the viscosity level stabilized at a 42 level viscosity since the 100 mile oil analysis test results.
<4> At 5000 miles, the oil analysis test results indicated a 40 level viscosity.
The test-transmission was completely disassembled and checked for wear. There were no signs of carbon film like experienced with the factory-fill oil. The phosphor-bronze lined synchronizers had no glazing and experienced an average mass loss of approximately 4% based on reserve-wear-range mass equivalency between 0.062"(new) and 0.048"(spent)
gap wear/mass measurements.
<5> At 10,000 miles, the oil analysis test results indicated a 39 level viscosity.
<6> At 12,500 miles, the oil analysis test results indicated a 37 level viscosity.
<7> At 15,000 miles, the oil analysis test results indicated a 34 level viscosity.
The test-transmission was again completely disassembled and checked for wear. There were no signs of carbon film like experienced with the factory-fill 30 oil. The phosphor-bronze lined synchronizers had no glazing and experienced an average mass loss of approximately 17% based on reserve-wear-range mass equivalency between 0.062"(new) and 0.048"(spent) gap wear/mass measurements.
<8> At 15,000 miles the oil had enough phosphor-bronze particles suspended
in it that deposits began building up inside of the synchronizer sliding
sleeves from the normal centrifuge-like rotational occurrence.
In Conclusion, until someone invents a copper magnet, we recommend that the ZF S6-40 6-speed transmission oil be changed at 10,000 - 12,000 mile intervals so as to minimize the amount of deposits of the suspended spent synchronizer material from collecting in critical component contact surface areas.

In Conclusion, until someone invents a copper magnet, we recommend that the ZF S6-40 6-speed transmission oil be changed at 10,000 - 12,000 mile intervals so as to minimize the amount of deposits of the suspended spent synchronizer material from collecting in critical component contact surface areas.

See LT5/ZR-1 Fluids

[-=Jeff=-]

is the new bottled BMW stuff the same just a different bottle?

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

is the new bottled BMW stuff the same just a different bottle?

Jeff,

Yes. I still have 1/2 qt. not cheap BUT. I'm probably at the point where I should drain mine and replace.

[-=Jeff=-]

Actually some quick research says the new stuff is different..

I think i will go with Amsoil on the next change

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Actually some quick research says the new stuff is different..

I think i will go with Amsoil on the next change

Yeah, I went out on EBAY and found the old stuff but since B.B will be a speaker at BG this year, may be a good time to get his 2 cents...
Rich

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Actually some quick research says the new stuff is different..

I think i will go with Amsoil on the next change

Care to post a link to that research?

[-=Jeff=-]

I found this Snippet of Info in a thread:

"TWS is tested and approved by BMW to meet the specific requirements for the M series engines - it has a different formulation ( which includes additional synthetic esters ) to the Edge sport 10W-60 to meet the specific BMW requirements and the only spec the TWS meets is BMW.
The EDGE 10W-60 is the retail alternative for the TWS Motorsport, which is a workshop only product supplied to BMW dealers.
So for the M series asking for the 10W-60 grade, I would recommend either the TWS Motorsport from BMW outlets or the EDGE 10W-60 ( which also only carries the BMW approval ) from retail outlets

Hope that helps

Kind regards

Andy Griffin
Castrol Technical Support"

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=906342&page=2

I was not going off the other comments, just this..

So what is different? can it or will it cause issues in the ZF?

Amsoil MTF 5W-30 is the same/ similar to OEM and Not stupid expense

Also search BMW Forums.. bunch of guys chatting about TWS vs the Edge stuff

[Dynomite]

A Comparison of Castrol TWS 10W-60 Motorsport and Castrol TWS 10W-60 Edge

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

What does ZF-Doc recommend?

Bill is now using a Custom blend synchromesh lubricant exclusively sold through Rockland Standard Gear (150SM) but recommends either 150SM, or Castrol TWS 10W-60 or the NEWLY LABELED Castrol Edge 10W-60 which is nearly identical (but now there are two Edges).