DIY F85/86 Differential Fluid Change

[SaNGRia]

Yeah the GM 92184900 is the best option out of all and i will go with it even tho i got the Castrol 140s Thank you for bringing up this with detail documentation ferrarif1 This is exactly what i needed

[MBoss_F86]

I am reading thru this thread and does below fluids sounds correct?

BTW FCP-Euro recommends G2 Hypoid for Front and 75W-85 for rear outers. They don't have anything for rear middle when I select my 2016 X6M

Front - 2 x 0.5L
BMW G2 Hypoid Differential Fluid (500mL) - Genuine BMW 83222413511

Rear(Outer Chambers) - 3 x 0.5L
BMW Final-Drive Gear Oil Carbon Mod SAE 75W-85 - BMW (83-12-0-445-832)

Rear(Middle Chamber) - 2 x 0.5L
SAF-XO Rear Axle Differential Fluid, SAE 75W-90 - BMW (07-51-2-293-972)

[SaNGRia]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

I am reading thru this thread and does below fluids sounds correct?

BTW FCP euro recommendeds G2 Hypoid for Front and 75W-85 for rear outers. They don't have anything for rear middle when I select my 2016 X6M

Front - 2 x 0.5L
BMW G2 Hypoid Differential Fluid (500mL) - Genuine BMW 83222413511

Rear(Outer Chambers) - 3 x 0.5L
BMW Final-Drive Gear Oil Carbon Mod SAE 75W-85 - BMW (83-12-0-445-832)

Rear(Middle Chamber) - 2 x 0.5L
SAF-XO Rear Axle Differential Fluid, SAE 75W-90 - BMW (07-51-2-293-972)

Seems correct to me!

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

I am reading thru this thread and does below fluids sounds correct?

BTW FCP-Euro recommends G2 Hypoid for Front and 75W-85 for rear outers. They don't have anything for rear middle when I select my 2016 X6M

Front - 2 x 0.5L
BMW G2 Hypoid Differential Fluid (500mL) - Genuine BMW 83222413511

Rear(Outer Chambers) - 3 x 0.5L
BMW Final-Drive Gear Oil Carbon Mod SAE 75W-85 - BMW (83-12-0-445-832)

Rear(Middle Chamber) - 2 x 0.5L
SAF-XO Rear Axle Differential Fluid, SAE 75W-90 - BMW (07-51-2-293-972)

Hmm, I maybe wrong but that seems off.

The centre section and the Front diff should be the same. Well according to RealOEM.

Front and centre section should be running the newer version 83222365987.

[MBoss_F86]

Chilled Check this out. In fitment it says Position: Front for X6M and X5M

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...413511#fitment

[Chilled]

I saw that. Is there a publication from BMW or ZF to says that? There is probably a fine line line between compatible and recommended, or what came from the factory.

I'm sure we could fill these with 5w30 and they would turn over, at least once.

I did see that PN# under the main general fluid overview, but under the actual rear diff service for a F85, F86 it only has the 987, and 832 oils.

ISTA grabs;

[nishfish87]

To make things even more confusing....

Looking at the F90 forums, and I see the following:
BMW G2 for Front Diff.
BMW G4 for Middle Rear Diff.
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...1&d=1532400356

I think the newer diffs are getting recommended the new stuff vs our older vehicles having the older fluid. I'll be sticking with what came in the car for both Front and Middle Rear diff: 07512293972 and use the Porsche stuff for the rear outers from FCPEuro as I plan on using the warranty multiple times long term. The "G" stuff is double the price of the existing fluids, I don't understand what makes it so special.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by nishfish87

To make things even more confusing....

Looking at the F90 forums, and I see the following:
BMW G2 for Front Diff.
BMW G4 for Middle Rear Diff.
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...1&d=1532400356

I think the newer diffs are getting recommended the new stuff vs our older vehicles having the older fluid. I'll be sticking with what came in the car for both Front and Middle Rear diff: 07512293972 and use the Porsche stuff for the rear outers from FCPEuro as I plan on using the warranty multiple times long term. The "G" stuff is double the price of the existing fluids, I don't understand what makes it so special.

Well the Rear Diff for it looks completely different to F85,F86. it looks like there is only a single drain port. So would make sense there is only the one type of oil to put in.

The Slightly Concerning part is that I cant see anything on realOEM or bimmercat for F95,F96.

ista did return on a 2020 F95, and it looks like there is only the one drain port/fill plug. So it should be the one oil type. Im guessing

[MBoss_F86]

To make things even more (or less) confusing I contacted SilverSpringBMW who own getbmwparts and they said this! Same fluid in front & rear diffs
- SAF-XO Rear Axle Differential Fluid, SAE 75W-90 - BMW (07-51-2-293-972)

Hi, thank you for your interest - according to the provided VIN, the same fluid is used in both front and rear differentials on your X6M:


07-51-2-293-972 $21.36/liter

BMW doesn’t show any different fluids per chamber in the parts catalog for rear from what I can tell.

PS: BMW of Buffalo who is a M certified dealer also said same fluid for Front and all Rear!



Thank you,

Jason Reighard
Internet Parts Team
getBMWparts.com | getPorscheparts.com | getAudiparts.com

[///MCollection]

The technical bulletin is linked at the top of page 1.

Front diff & Rear diff centre is BMW Synthetic OSP AKA SAF-XO Part No: 83 22 2 365 987
Rear diff left and right is bmw SAF Carbon Mod Part No: 83 12 0 445 832

Hope that helps, all data from my 2017 F85 from BMW

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

To make things even more (or less) confusing I contacted SilverSpringBMW who own getbmwparts and they said this! Same fluid in front & rear diffs
- SAF-XO Rear Axle Differential Fluid, SAE 75W-90 - BMW (07-51-2-293-972)

Hi, thank you for your interest - according to the provided VIN, the same fluid is used in both front and rear differentials on your X6M:


07-51-2-293-972 $21.36/liter

BMW doesn’t show any different fluids per chamber in the parts catalog for rear from what I can tell.

PS: BMW of Buffalo who is a M certified dealer also said same fluid for Front and all Rear!



Thank you,

Jason Reighard
Internet Parts Team
getBMWparts.com | getPorscheparts.com | getAudiparts.com

Not sure where this part # comes in play. I cant find it on Real OEM, TIS and atm don't have access to ISTA.


There is some discussion over in the F87, with BMW putting into one guys rear diff. Didn't read the full thread but it looks like he not happy and is planning on replacing it.
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1722843&page=4

Also for that part #, on ECS they have this "This is the same synthetic differential oil used by BMW dealerships to service "open" or non LSD differentials. " That is not for a F85/F86 diff.

Mine is a 2017, and for the centre section, and front diff "83222365987" is the correct oil according to TIS, ISTA, RealOEM.

*EDIT*
The oil could be the newer one for the F95/F96 hence why its not in RealOEM, but that would mean its not what these came with from the factory.

[MBoss_F86]

Three different M certified BMW dealers told me 07-51-2-293-972 is the fluid used in front and back. When I specifically asked them about chambers on rear they said this is only part # they could find in their parts catalog for my vehicle which is 2016 F86. What are the chances all three dealers gave me wrong info?

At this point I would trust BMW dealer over ECS or FCPEuro

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

Three different M certified BMW dealers told me 07-51-2-293-972 is the fluid used in front and back. When I specifically asked them about chambers on rear they said this is only part # they could find in their parts catalog for my vehicle which is 2016 F86. What are the chances all three dealers gave me wrong info?

At this point I would trust BMW dealer over ECS or FCPEuro

I think BMWs official stance on the outer clutch packs is "Do Not Service". It was brought up somewhere earlier in the thread, based on the guides from ISTA.

I am just curious as to why RealOEM or TIS doesn't come back with any info on this OiL PN#.


To play devils advocate, the 2x different types. Does it really matter for these rear diffs? As in they state that if the diff is over 45°, they will mix. What happens if you are driving aggressively swerving from side to side. Since the chambers are not sealed, would that mean there is a chance for them to mix?

*EDIT*,
just foudnthis thread with that oil PN#.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1442048

One of the guys claim that this one is the final drive oil, branded for the BMW Motorbike line. 972 Superweeds the "Final-drive gear oil SAF-XO - 33117695240" hat goes into the centre section, not the outer packs. The 240 is superseded by 987.


In short, NFI.


found the post

[MBoss_F86]

I was told filling capacity for rear is 2.12L, so I assume they are changing all 3 chambers. Not sure why ISTA says outers are Not servicable. Since BMW recommended same oil for 3 chambers mixing while side to side drive shouldn't be problem?

Getbmwparts advisor - "BMW shows a filling quantity of 2.12L for the rear differential but they do not list a quantity for the front unit. We'd recommend consulting your vehicle owner's manual for that information"

Also I read BMW shutdown Newtis since they don't have latest info.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

I was told filling capacity for rear is 2.12L, so I assume they are changing all 3 chambers. Not sure why ISTA says outers are Not servicable. Since BMW recommended same oil for 3 chambers mixing while side to side drive shouldn't be problem?

Getbmwparts advisor - "BMW shows a filling quantity of 2.12L for the rear differential but they do not list a quantity for the front unit. We'd recommend consulting your vehicle owner's manual for that information"

Also I read BMW shutdown Newtis since they don't have latest info.

I found that PN# you were talking about, I think i did an edit at the same time as you posted.

But i've got a newer version of ISTA at home, will check. But from memory it still treated the each chamber separately, with a DO NOT MIX stance.

For my change, i am going to go based on the ISTA/RealOEM info with the 832 Carbon Mod for the packs and 987 for the center section.

Unless someone can link us a bulleting that says we should roll the 972(75W90) into all.

[///MCollection]

Originally Posted by Chilled

I found that PN# you were talking about, I think i did an edit at the same time as you posted.

But i've got a newer version of ISTA at home, will check. But from memory it still treated the each chamber separately, with a DO NOT MIX stance.

For my change, i am going to go based on the ISTA/RealOEM info with the 832 Carbon Mod for the packs and 987 for the center section.

Unless someone can link us a bulleting that says we should roll the 972(75W90) into all.

These are the correct current numbers as per bmw in the uk as I put in my post earlier

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

I was told filling capacity for rear is 2.12L, so I assume they are changing all 3 chambers. Not sure why ISTA says outers are Not servicable. Since BMW recommended same oil for 3 chambers mixing while side to side drive shouldn't be problem?

Getbmwparts advisor - "BMW shows a filling quantity of 2.12L for the rear differential but they do not list a quantity for the front unit. We'd recommend consulting your vehicle owner's manual for that information"

Also I read BMW shutdown Newtis since they don't have latest info.

So looking at the 4.31.16 version of ISTA, here is the list of oils, and what they go into. Yes it looks like the new F95/F96 have only a single oil type, see my comment above.

With that, unless i see some official bulletins or kb articles to say otherwise. I am happy with my choice.

[MBoss_F86]

Thank you for the info. I will sent this to BMW SA ask him why they are telling me something different. Can you please tell what does your 4.31.16 version of ISTA recommends for front diff?

[Chilled]

Interestingly enough its the "Hypoid Axle Oil G2", and I cant find oem vendor to say that this fits a F85/F86. I'm still learning ista, so I maybe missing some bits. Interestingly enough the F90 M5, uses the G2 aswell.

But RealOEM and everyone else says the "BMW synthetic OSP" (987). So im less than happy about my front diff oil choice. More research needed.

[Chilled]

WTF, for the E70 X5M, it shows the G2.

[MBoss_F86]

why is it so damn confusing and hard to find fluids for our diffs lol

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by MBoss_F86

why is it so damn confusing and hard to find fluids for our diffs lol

Lol, im going to bed. The more i look at it, the worse it gets. the pre 2011 E70, were the 987, but post were all G2, and then it switches the info sheet back to the pre 2011 for the F85.


L-R, F85, E70 X5M 2013, E70 X5M 2008