BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

sakm wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 3:18 pmI have dropped Castrol an email to see what they say.

A.n.other (not me) did the same and Castrol have come back with Transmax Axle which has replaced Syntrax.

Still no reason why it is currently out of stock at three suppliers.

Yes it's the out of stock that makes me wonder if there is a replacement that we don't know about

Now I am home I have managed to look more at this

The Castrol SAF-XO is just a brand and product recommended for the final drive

There is nothing special about this oil its a bit like tyres if BMW recommends Metzeler it doesn't mean you can't use Michelin

The important part is the spec is met by the gear oil you are using

75W-90 API GL5 is what is required so providing you are using this spec any good quality gear oil that meets this spec is fine

I emailed both OPIE Oils and Motorworks to ask the question, when is it likely that the Castrol Transmax Axle would be available again.

OPIE Oils: "It's out of production at the moment, due a raw ingredient shortage. Unfortunately, I have no idea when it will be with us, but it has been out of stock for most of the year. I can let you know of an alternative, if you can give me the application details."
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-737-castro ... iantID=957

Motorworks: "Thank you for your enquiry my notes here say we still have no expected delivery date I’m afraid. No delivery date from Castrol. See OIA70309 or OIA65278 or OIA65277 or OIA03825. Any of the listed alternatives are very good quality."
https://www.motorworks.co.uk/gear-oil-oia11056-1.html

I think I'd go for Liqui Moly as an alternative to the Castrol stuff.
https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/pro ... atch%20All

Did my own RT service at 600-miles because local dealer was slammed...per BMW K54 service manual, rear drive uses Hypoid G3 which is not cheap.

Is this the same stuff being discussed in this thread?

sxc wrote: ↑Wed Oct 19, 2022 5:01 am Rear drive uses Hypoid G3 which is not cheap.

Is this the same stuff being discussed in this thread.

Don't think so, a.n.other had his R1250GS first 600 mile service and the BMW dealer used G3 final drive oil.

Looks like the viscosity is 70W-80 not 75W-90 and costs ~ £40 per litre in the UK.

https://www.bobsbmw.com/store/product/b ... w-80-500ml

Have spoken to Castrol, the Transmax Axle 75W-90 is a current product but unfortunately presently out of production UFN due to the unavailability of some additives. There is no known future production date.

OPIE Oils have recommended two alternatives in the ~ £20 price range.

Fuchs SYN5, https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68901-fuch ... ntID=89700

or

Motul 300, https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-899-motul- ... antID=1131

If you are happy to pay more, Red Line was also suggested too.

Motul 300 is also recommended as an alternative by Motorworks, https://www.motorworks.co.uk/gear-oil-oia65277-1.html

Did they not advise an alternative?

sakm wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 10:18 am Did they not advise an alternative?

Just edited the above post.

There is still no sign of the Castrol Transmax Axle 75w-90 becoming available anytime soon.

Next choice was going to be Motul Gear 300 75w-90, again low or no stock in the UK as per Motul (UK) themselves.

Have decided to go for the Liqui Moly stuff from Infinity, https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/pro ... atch%20All
Buying 2 x 1L for myself and a.n.other made it free delivery.

David. wrote: ↑Fri Nov 18, 2022 2:57 pmThere is still no sign of the Castrol Transmax Axle 75w-90 becoming available anytime soon.

Just had an email from Nippy Normans to say that this Castrol oil is now back in stock and available to order.

It's 23 GBP inc. delivery, never mind but saved 6 quid buying 2 x the Liqui Moly stuff.

Mobilube 1 SHC 75W-90 has normally been easily available.

Just love an "oil" thread

I'm not too sure why people get so worked up over it, at the end of the day you change it so infrequently you may as well go with the OEM specified oil as there is no doubt it's correct and the cost will be spread out over a few years

The OEM oil is twice the price of that paid for Liqui Moly.

David. wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 8:36 am The OEM oil is twice the price of that paid for Liqui Moly.

Having worked for a Marine Diesel OEM and knowing why they spec what they do and the potential issues of getting it wrong, I'd still use OEM over the service interval its almost an insignificant cost, it's the same with air and oil filters there are differences.