Transfer case differences between models

[Kyle6594]

Hi all!
I drive a 2015 X5 xdrive50i and I recently had the front driveshaft blow completely off the car. When it did it hit the transfer case and cracked it so it leaks fluid now. I am suspecting the transfer case was the problem the entire time because it was having some of the symptoms for a bit before the driveshaft broke. I have to replace the transfer case either way and upon looking there seems to be two versions of the ATC45L transfer case? What is the difference in the ATC45L from the x3 and 35i versions of the x5 and the ATC45L that is in the xdrive50i? What are the differences between a 2013 x5 50i and a 2015 x5 50i? I see that BMW has different part numbers for them but I see no difference in them. When looking for rebuild parts I donÂ’t see any difference across the models that have this transfer case. All of the parts seem to fit all models with this TC. Any help would be appreciated there is a substantial difference in price between the ATC45L that in the x3 versus the x5 50i. Also a substantial difference between a 2013 and a 2015 and up. Thanks again!

[Kyle6594]

Does anyone know anything about these transfer cases?

[shimmy23]

i'm new to the x5 chassis but would also like to know. bummer you had your DS grenade on you. seems i've read of this happening over in the f85 section too

[CryptoHeff]

Sorry to hear about your driveshaft and transfer case! Hope you got it sorted.

Did you end up working anything out with this? I've been looking into it as I suspect my F85 is having transfer case issues.

[dentprotony@gmail.com]

Atc45L should be same across the board, hence the same part number. What did you end up doing with the driveshaft/transfer case?

[tlow98]

Yeah, sadly the DS on these cars becomes questionable at higher mileage (or sometimes even low) and when it goes it takes out other parts with it. In your case, I’m glad it was not the transmission(!).

If they are the same part number then they are the same. If different, then different.

[Maverik259]

Pretty sure BMW uses the same transfer case in all their AWD vehicles. lifetime fluid too. Lmao

[yupetc]

I'm also quite sure they are all the same. I've replaced 3 of these on other people's X5's so far, and they come from different variants of the N55 Xdrive vehicles. The only thing, and I don't know if this even matters that much at all, is to keep the original transfer case controller (the clutch actuator) so you won't have to code it in again. And on top of that, upon changing out the transfer case, you'll need to input some transfer case ID's through ISTA, As far as the transfer case is concerned, you'll need to get your transfer case from the F-series vehicles. The E-series vehicles may have same transfer case, but their electronics and clutch packs are set up slightly differently. I'm pulling it vaguely from memory because last time I dealt with it was pre-COVID times, and aging is a bitch'n. Don't remember well. So do your own check before pulling the trigger.

[tlaspec]

Originally Posted by Kyle6594

Hi all!
I drive a 2015 X5 xdrive50i and I recently had the front driveshaft blow completely off the car. When it did it hit the transfer case and cracked it so it leaks fluid now. I am suspecting the transfer case was the problem the entire time because it was having some of the symptoms for a bit before the driveshaft broke. I have to replace the transfer case either way and upon looking there seems to be two versions of the ATC45L transfer case? What is the difference in the ATC45L from the x3 and 35i versions of the x5 and the ATC45L that is in the xdrive50i? What are the differences between a 2013 x5 50i and a 2015 x5 50i? I see that BMW has different part numbers for them but I see no difference in them. When looking for rebuild parts I donÂ’t see any difference across the models that have this transfer case. All of the parts seem to fit all models with this TC. Any help would be appreciated there is a substantial difference in price between the ATC45L that in the x3 versus the x5 50i. Also a substantial difference between a 2013 and a 2015 and up. Thanks again!

Curious how many miles you had before DS blew up.