jc8825, what a surprise, you have front wheel drive cars in the USA ? I'm gob smacked ! really ! I thought you all drove Mustangs with rear wheel drive, seriously, you had to make a comment like that ? considering the time spent and places visited in the USA, I am fully aware of the vehicles you have on the road, the only thing I had difficulty with was driving on the wrong side of the road
As regards to transmission fluids, I have owned a rear wheel drive car that had a stiff selection when changing gear, I decided to change the gear box oil and upon consulting the workshop manual (Holden in Australia but GM in the USA), it informed me that the gear box used Engine oil, not Transmission oil.
In regards to API GL-4 and API GL-5 oil, if its not marked on the label and you don't bother to check the specifications, how on earth would you know and its been covered many times on various forums about not using GL-5 oils for the very reason of damage to brass fittings and bushings.
Its also advised by many parts suppliers to use either BMW transaxle oil or as an alternative recommendation, Redline MTL for a good reason. If you have information on alternative Oils suitable for the Mini gearbox, then why not share that list instead of the comment that you have made. If you actually look at all of the official BMW specs, relevant to differing country's, they actually have a rather varied range of lubricants for engine and transaxles.
The original poster asked for a recommendation what was the best MTL to use, Redlines own website will point you to Redline MTL, not the other variants they make. I gave a recommendation on personal experience , also from many contacts I have from within the USA. One online parts supplier that posts DIY info also considers Redline MTL as the gold standard. Its not a hype on specific brands, its based on the recommendations of many Mini owners both in Australia and the USA and dare I say many other countries around the world.
My first reply was an opinion based on personal experience with a caution on the API, my second reply was again, a caution to check the API as it is common knowledge that the incorrect API would eventuate with premature gearbox failure with link to Redline MTL on Amazon in the USA, ergo, it shouldn't be hard to obtain and one would think it would be cheaper the purchasing BMW oil.
So, in essence, you have posted your opinion which we all welcome and embrace, however, try to be a bit more constructive, list alternatives to either BMW or Redline MTL and back it up. The original poster asked for recommendation, help them out, that's what this forum is for, not to sledge another's opinion unless it is an outrageous and totally misleading post.
I hope you have an enjoyable day, I'm about to reinstall the new clutch and gearbox into my R53 and fill the box with Redline MTL, 1.7 litres !
Edit: Now I have had my morning coffee and am full awake, I have just realised your the original poster, in light of your response, if your so happy with the GM oil, why on earth did you bother to ask for recommendations in the 1st place ?