F15 X5 Differential Fluid

[Mpeters79]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Trans fluid is clear when new. Brown and burnt when used. There's no red fluids. Are you using a red windshield washer fluid?

I am not. I will be back home tomorrow and am hoping the fluid will still be on the ground so I can investigate. I am curious to see if there is any fluid under the vehicle at the airport as well. Thank you for the reply.

[bladeomar2004]

Originally Posted by happydude

Just to wanted to give an update of what I was able to find out for future reference: I have a 2014 F15 X5 xDrive35d with the standard differential and looking to perform front and rear differential oil changes. The following fluids are the recommended fluids and capacities:

Front: 0.91L of Hypoid Axle Oil G2 (83-22-2-413-511) a service would require ordering 2 of this part number (500mL)

Rear: 0.91L BMW Final-Drive Gear Oil Carbon Mod SAE 75W-85 (83-12-0-445-832) a service would require ordering 2 of this part number (500mL)

I chose for now to stick with the BMW recommended fluids as I am still under CPO Warranty through 2020 that was purchased prior to me acquiring the vehicle and in the event of any issues with the differentials I do not want to risk voiding the warranty. I also intend to keep the vehicle far behind that and will examine the condition of the fluids here at 60k miles and determine my change intervals going forward based on the results.

Hope you can help me, bought same oil for rear diff but read others posts where this oil is only for DHP diff, did you notice something wrong with your x5?

[happydude]

Originally Posted by bladeomar2004

Hope you can help me, bought same oil for rear diff but read others posts where this oil is only for DHP diff, did you notice something wrong with your x5?

Haven't noticed anything different. I have almost 40k miles since. I just checked Newtis and they are recommending the Hypoid G1 or G3 for rear. I was given the orignal information by getbmwparts.com back in 2019. I will update the first post with this thread with the corrected information. I will likely just wait until 60k miles to replace with Hypoid G3 or maybe flush both at next oil change which will be in another 7k miles.

[bladeomar2004]

Originally Posted by happydude

Haven't noticed anything different. I have almost 40k miles since. I just checked Newtis and they are recommending the Hypoid G1 or G3 for rear. I was given the orignal information by getbmwparts.com back in 2019. I will update the first post with this thread with the corrected information. I will likely just wait until 60k miles to replace with Hypoid G3 or maybe flush both at next oil change which will be in another 7k miles.

That’s a really good info, but G1 is GL-4 and G3 is GL-5, is not that a problem?

[happydude]

Originally Posted by bladeomar2004

That’s a really good info, but G1 is GL-4 and G3 is GL-5, is not that a problem?

Yeah. You’re probably right. G3 is likely the way to go since it’s GL-5. I’ll update the original post to just show

[MiniMotoMan]

So I am trying to get a bit of clarity because there is losts of back and forth. So I am posting this with my specific setup, sometimes it makes it easier for folks to find the info they are looking for this way, I believe I have a common setup. I have a 2017 X5 50i w/M-package(eye candy), standard rear diff(verified by no drain plugs, just fill plug), no active suspension. I want to put together a list of BMW recommended fluids and alternatives cheat sheet. Here is my start. If you are running something that I can add to the alternatives list or any other recommendations I will update this post.

Front:
BMW - PN 83222413511 -- BMW G2 Hypoid differential Fluid 75w-85 GL-5
Alternatives:
Redline 75W85 fully synth. GL-5 -- SKU: 50104 (1 qt)
LiquiMoly GL5 75W-90 LiquiMoly -- PN 2048 (1 qt)

Rear:
BMW - PN 83222295532 -- BMW 75w-85 G1 GL-4 Rear Axle Gear Oil
Alternatives:?????

I have crossed referenced this list with multiple vendor websites that "verify" compatibility, but I think the forum can give yet another verification. If you have the same X5 setup, and running something different let us know. The price of BMW fluids is EXPENSIVE, the alternatives will give everyone a more budget friendly option.

[raja101]

Hi everyone, new to the site and appreciate all the information. I have a 2017 35d and am at 110K. I am going to change the transmission with the ZF kit from FCP Euro but also want to change other fluids while I'm at it. Can anyone comment if I am good with the following:

Rear Diff: Motul Gear 300 LS SAE 75W90
Front Diff: Red Line 75W85 GL High Performance Gear Oil
Transfer Case: Red Line MT-LV

Thanks!

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by raja101

Hi everyone, new to the site and appreciate all the information. I have a 2017 35d and am at 110K. I am going to change the transmission with the ZF kit from FCP Euro but also want to change other fluids while I'm at it. Can anyone comment if I am good with the following:

Rear Diff: Motul Gear 300 LS SAE 75W90
Front Diff: Red Line 75W85 GL High Performance Gear Oil
Transfer Case: Red Line MT-LV

Thanks!

I have t read this whole thread, but I don’t think I’d use anything but the OE BMW stuff in the transfer case. Or whoever the OE maker is.

[JamesInSJ]

Originally Posted by tlow98

I have t read this whole thread, but I don’t think I’d use anything but the OE BMW stuff in the transfer case. Or whoever the OE maker is.

+1 to this. The OE is Shell, but right now it's actually more expensive at FCP than BMW fluid. Used to be about half price.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ll-83222409710

[robbief00]

Can anybody clarify if there are any acceptable alternatives for the rear differential oil now that BMW Hypoid Axle Oil G3 is the specified recommendation? This oil is really expensive right now (~$120 for 2X500mL).

I am going with Liquid Moly 75W90 GL-5 for the front diff.

[chris323i]

Had this done at BMW earlier this year and my service advisor thought the crazy price for the gear oil was a mistake (crazy expensive) so he marked it down to a more relative price. Made me laugh.

[skoold2003]

Does anyone who’s done this know if this kit has the right fluids?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t1#description

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

Does anyone who’s done this know if this kit has the right fluids?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t1#description

Do you have the dynamic handling package with the torque vectoring diff?

I not, wrong kit

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Do you have the dynamic handling package with the torque vectoring diff?

I not, wrong kit

No I don’t, but they only have two kits for the rear.. and both are for torque vectoring.

[happydude]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

No I don’t, but they only have two kits for the rear.. and both are for torque vectoring.

I think that kit is for the DHP limited slip differential as it mentions the 3 chambers and has the carbon mod additive.

[skoold2003]

Originally Posted by happydude

Just to wanted to give an update of what I was able to find out for future reference: I have a 2014 F15 X5 xDrive35d with the standard differential and looking to perform front and rear differential oil changes. The following fluids are the recommended fluids and capacities:

Front: 0.91L of Hypoid Axle Oil G2 (83-22-2-413-511) a service would require ordering 2 of this part number (500mL)

Rear: 0.91L BMW Final-Drive Gear Oil Carbon Mod SAE 75W-85 (83-12-0-445-832) a service would require ordering 2 of this part number (500mL)

I chose for now to stick with the BMW recommended fluids as I am still under CPO Warranty through 2020 that was purchased prior to me acquiring the vehicle and in the event of any issues with the differentials I do not want to risk voiding the warranty. I also intend to keep the vehicle far behind that and will examine the condition of the fluids here at 60k miles and determine my change intervals going forward based on the results.

OK, I'm really confused now. You mention that you used the 83120445832 for your standard rear. The FCP euro site says that's for the outer chambers of the Adaptive suspension. It says that standard uses 83222413512.. So is that right?

Edit: Nevermind, I just noticed that you updated the initial post

[tlow98]

Yeah, I just used redline GL—5 75w85 front and rear. There’s nothing special about the base, none DHP, non limited slip diffs. BMW specifies a rather asinine weight that’s as close as makes no real difference.

1 gallon of redline will do both diffs twice. Done and easy.

[robbief00]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yeah, I just used redline GL—5 75w85 front and rear. There’s nothing special about the base, none DHP, non limited slip diffs. BMW specifies a rather asinine weight that’s as close as makes no real difference.

1 gallon of redline will do both diffs twice. Done and easy.

I may do the same....I am just curious why BMW would specify a different weight/fluid for the front and rear. I gather from some internet research it is likely due to fuel efficiency ratings.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by robbief00

I may do the same....I am just curious why BMW would specify a different weight/fluid for the front and rear. I gather from some internet research it is likely due to fuel efficiency ratings.

What worries me is the front diff holds practically no fluid so I’m prioritizing changing it often.

[skoold2003]

I've seen a couple of people mentioning not to fill until oil streams out. One YouTube video claims there's a service bulletin (for E70) saying to use 600ml. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by skoold2003

I've seen a couple of people mentioning not to fill until oil streams out. One YouTube video claims there's a service bulletin (for E70) saying to use 600ml. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

The front diff is fill it all the way, close the plug when it starts to drips. The rear non //M and on //M centre section is the same fill until it just starts to slightly drip.

On the //M, the centre sections takes about 1.2L, this is what came out of mine and the same as other //M owners.

Now where it gets precise is on the clutch pack outer sections on the //M, where the specific amounts comes out and goes back in. Some people have done the same, fill till it drips out, but that's not recommended.



That carbon mod stuff you were looking at is only for the //M diff outer clutch pack sections. Also on the //M the front and rear centre use the same oil. Can't remember the p/n but its not the G2/G3 stuff, its something older.

Also if the non //M diff is like the //M, if you stick your head under there, the fill plug will have the oil type casted into the housing. So for the //M I see both the Carbon-Mod and the SAF-XO on the respective plugs.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Chilled

The front diff is fill it all the way, close the plug when it starts to drips. The rear non //M and on //M centre section is the same fill until it just starts to slightly drip.

On the //M, the centre sections takes about 1.2L, this is what came out of mine and the same as other //M owners.

Now where it gets precise is on the clutch pack outer sections on the //M, where the specific amounts comes out and goes back in. Some people have done the same, fill till it drips out, but that's not recommended.



That carbon mod stuff you were looking at is only for the //M diff outer clutch pack sections. Also on the //M the front and rear centre use the same oil. Can't remember the p/n but its not the G2/G3 stuff, its something older.

Also if the non //M diff is like the //M, if you stick your head under there, the fill plug will have the oil type casted into the housing. So for the //M I see both the Carbon-Mod and the SAF-XO on the respective plugs.

Never seen anyone pull 1.2L out of the F85. Been all over that side of the forum putting my kit together. Can you share your sources?