BMW DCTF-1 used transmission fluid analysis

OIL BMW DCTF-1 (Pentosin FFL-4)
MILES IN USE 51,108
MILES 51,108
SAMPLE TAKEN 12/13/13
MAKEUP OIL 0

ALUMINUM 12
CHROMIUM 0
IRON 34
COPPER 5
LEAD 0
TIN 0
MOLYBDENUM 0
NICKEL 0
MANGANESE 5
SILVER 0
TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 3
BORON 67
SILICON 11
SODIUM 5
CALCIUM 41
MAGNESIUM 2
PHOSPHORUS 263
ZINC 11
BARIUM 0

SUS VIS @ 210ºF 50.9
cSt @ 212ºF 7.55
FLASHPOINT ºF 405
FUEL NA
ANTIFREEZE 0.0
WATER 0.0
INSOLUBLES 0.2
TAN 1.5




This is the factory-fill DCTF-1, aka Pentosin FFL-4 (basically a 75w85 GL-4). Worth noting that I usually drive the car in the more aggressive shift settings and am not shy about downshifting to get some engine braking. I've never used launch control but who knows what the previous owner did -- 44k on the clock when I bought the car.

Blackstone actually does have data from this fluid/vehicle thanks to some of the folks on here and showed my wear to be much better than their averages! They specifically called out the copper and lead (from brass/bronze parts) as "amazingly low". They agreed that it's probably not a lifetime fluid, but said it could go to 70k or further.

I replaced it with Motul Multi DCTF, but due to the change process, we only got 4 of the 7.8L out though after seeing the analysis I have no worries about that. We changed the filter to be safe too.

So like my engine UOAs have shown, I definitely got a good one!

Congrats man! That's always good news received my Blackstone kit last week. Will get it sent off after the next oil change.

Cool stuff Dan, did you do the change yourself?

Leonardo629 wrote

Cool stuff Dan, did you do the change yourself?

No, I had a local indy shop do it.

Did you notice any different characteristics with the new Motul fluid? Ex. Faster/smoother/better shifting?

vastano wrote

Did you notice any different characteristics with the new Motul fluid? Ex. Faster/smoother/better shifting?

Somewhat. Since we only got half of the OEM fluid out (normal), that means I don't have a full crankcase of it. What I will say is that the higher viscosity index is apparent when it's very cold: the car is less sluggish going into gear. Of the 4 L we drained, the viscosity of the factory fill came back on the very high side of the "acceptable" range.

Here's a thread about the Motul Multi DCTF that I made recently:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=909687

dparm wrote

Somewhat. Since we only got half of the OEM fluid out (normal), that means I don't have a full crankcase of it. What I will say is that the higher viscosity index is apparent when it's very cold: the car is less sluggish going into gear. Of the 4 L we drained, the viscosity of the factory fill came back on the very high side of the "acceptable" range.

Here's a thread about the Motul Multi DCTF that I made recently:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=909687

Been wanting to try the Motul but having a hard time finding it somewhere that will ship to Hawaii.

808MGuy wrote

Been wanting to try the Motul but having a hard time finding it somewhere that will ship to Hawaii.

Try XTR Performance. Tell Chris that Dan P referred you.

Thanks for the share. Good to see your DCT running strong.

Mine was done last year preventive at my BMW dealer with Pentosin .(30K miles)
Filter set was replaced too .

Hi,

Planning my DCT tranny service…any feedback on Pentosin FFL-4 after some mileage is appreciated Thx P