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      12-10-2017, 08:23 PM   #1
jbreeds09
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Transfer case issues - X5 m sport

Hey all, I am relatively new to the forum after purchasing a 2014 X5 50i M Sport with 38k miles in July. I have loved every minute driving the truck.

Since purchase, I have noticed a stutter or sluggish feeling under acceleration. I suspected injectors and coils at first even though there were never any check lights or codes being thrown. I took the truck into the dealer in early September and had them check it out under warranty. Ultimately, they came back and said that the previous owner used mid-grade or inferior gas and that I needed to use Vpower or Techron for a while to see if that helped the issues. We are now a week into December and the issues have not improved or worsened.

Back at the dealer this week I was able to get the shop foreman to do a ride-along. He noticed the stutter and agreed on there being an issue, though he said if the issue was the injectors it would be hard to get warranty work approved without codes being thrown. Anyway, later in the day I got a call saying they were going to replace my transfer case and strongly suggested that I have BMW Star tires installed w/ alignment for $1999.

The car came with Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 which is a recommended tire on Tire Rack. I am suspecting Dunlops were the OEM tire.

What advice does anyone have surrounding star tires? I need all-seasons but don't see any star a/s tires for the X5 staggered setup...

Are transfer case problems relatively common with the X5 staggered setups? I have read about transfer case issues on various forums involving other models. Haven't seen much on the X5 forum.

Thanks, just want to make an informed decision if I get new tires!
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      12-10-2017, 08:46 PM   #2
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Conti DWS is a most common choice for staggered setup that thousands of owners tried and transfer case issue were never a problem. Transfer case in our cars is very robust and problems are very rare. Just so you know same transfer case is used in x5m that has lots more power and torque. Lots of modded x5m with 800+ hp and 700+ torque never heard of any issues with transfer case. People used 20, 21 and 22 inch rims and all sorts of tires on staggered setups

That been said manufacturing defect may happen on any car and any part - if warranty replaces transfer case - that's good, I doubt you will see that issue again. As for star tires - that's a BS if you ask me. All you need to make sure that tire size is correct and that's it. Everything else is a snake oil from dealer. It shouldn't matter what brand you put, star or not. Star tires change from year to year and one tire that was approved by BMW and received a star may no longer have that star next year as they will change OEM supplier. That's like saying you need to buy only BMW approved gloves to properly hold steering wheel. I bought their baseball cap - it looks cool with BMW emblem, but I didn't do it because they forced me to only wear their approved apparel lol. Just my opinion

Last edited by DuSh; 12-10-2017 at 08:51 PM..
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      12-10-2017, 10:03 PM   #3
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Are you sure he was connecting the transfer case issue to tires? Maybe he wasn't good at communicating. Was he simply saying that the transfer case was the problem and they will fix it under warranty, and btw, a separate issue... Your tires are worn out to the point they should be replaced. And the wear pattern indicates you need an alignment. That's the only thing I can think of, otherwise he is full of it and trying to scam you into buying tires that you don't need. This is why people hate car dealers. But without being there, it's hard for me to rule out it wasn't a misunderstanding.
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      12-10-2017, 10:24 PM   #4
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Go to a different BMW dealer to get a second opinion. Of course if there's one around your area.

In addition, the star or non-star tires shouldn't affect the transfer case. I've never heard of dealers being picky on using non-star tires and deny warranty claims.
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      12-10-2017, 10:42 PM   #5
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Transfer case issues are well documented for the 50i models. My service manager even told me that when I bought my X5 and asked what the common problems were. He said the 35i didn't really have any, but the 50i had said issues.

As far as the tires go, you probably just needed new tires. But I wouldn't pay $2,000 for them at BMW.
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      12-11-2017, 02:17 AM   #6
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the only time tires can be an issues, is if you dont run the stock sizes and have different rolling diameters from front to rear.
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      12-11-2017, 03:16 AM   #7
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Did you purchase it as a CPO from a BMW Center?
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      12-11-2017, 05:06 AM   #8
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Thanks for the reply’s... re-assures me that the tire noise was just up-sell tactic. I am 95% sure he was saying the issue was related to the tires because otherwise, imo, I do not need tires and alignment. Conti DWS were new from the dealer I bought it at and it drives very true, though that isn’t a sole indicator of good alignment. I can’t tell anything to be wrong in terms of tread wear from a visual perspective either.

I did NOT buy it from BMW as a CPO but was pleasantly surprised that the car had an extra 3 month 5000 mike warranty from BMW. I was told a manager at the dealership had it as demo. All service history is associated with that dealer too. No listed issues other than the N63 AGM battery upgrade.

If xfer case issues are a problem on the 50i, what are some of the documented causes? Are there any ideas of what the issue could be outside xfer case, injectors and trans?
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      12-11-2017, 10:50 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
the only time tires can be an issues, is if you dont run the stock sizes and have different rolling diameters from front to rear.
This
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      12-12-2017, 05:41 PM   #10
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Purchased my 2014 50i in June of this year from non BMW dealer. Ended up having same problem. After a long fight with seller, T-case was replaced at BMW.

Easy way to test is to have the dealer/mechanic disconnect the vtg on the transfer case. If the symptoms go away it’s your t-case.

In my case the repair invoice states that the t case was replaced and symptoms did not go away. After testing a few pins on some connector, it was realized that the incorrect t-case was installed from factory. Correct t-case was installed and shudder is gone.
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      12-12-2017, 05:46 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipmunk2k3 View Post
Purchased my 2014 50i in June of this year from non BMW dealer. Ended up having same problem. After a long fight with seller, T-case was replaced at BMW.

Easy way to test is to have the dealer/mechanic disconnect the vtg on the transfer case. If the symptoms go away it’s your t-case.

In my case the repair invoice states that the t case was replaced and symptoms did not go away. After testing a few pins on some connector, it was realized that the incorrect t-case was installed from factory. Correct t-case was installed and shudder is gone.
Seller initially changed T-case fluid and there was a noticeable difference in the shudder. I’d say try that first. Many of the posts I read while fighting with them also suggested changing the fluid. Didn’t work for me but many people stated fluid change solved their issue.
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      12-12-2017, 06:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipmunk2k3 View Post
Purchased my 2014 50i in June of this year from non BMW dealer. Ended up having same problem. After a long fight with seller, T-case was replaced at BMW.

Easy way to test is to have the dealer/mechanic disconnect the vtg on the transfer case. If the symptoms go away it’s your t-case.

In my case the repair invoice states that the t case was replaced and symptoms did not go away. After testing a few pins on some connector, it was realized that the incorrect t-case was installed from factory. Correct t-case was installed and shudder is gone.
Dealer replaced the transfer case. I pick up the car in the morning and will pass on tires for now. They told me that BMW could void warranty work in the future for using non-star tires. Hopefully the issue is gone and I can move on to enjoying the ride again.
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      12-12-2017, 10:45 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbreeds09 View Post
Dealer replaced the transfer case. I pick up the car in the morning and will pass on tires for now. They told me that BMW could void warranty work in the future for using non-star tires. Hopefully the issue is gone and I can move on to enjoying the ride again.
Well that would be interesting. Ive never heard of getting a warranty voided for the kind of tires you use. If they were the wrong size, I could understand, but if correct size, tell them to go f themselves. I hate car dealers or more specifically, people who work at car dealers, that talk out their ass. Write what you have to write your getting paid by bmw and just fix it!
Don't get me started on salespeople who don't even know hardly anything about what they are selling.
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      12-13-2017, 10:31 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbreeds09 View Post
Dealer replaced the transfer case. I pick up the car in the morning and will pass on tires for now. They told me that BMW could void warranty work in the future for using non-star tires. Hopefully the issue is gone and I can move on to enjoying the ride again.
That’s BS about voiding the warranty for using non star tires. Never heard of it.
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