BMW X5 E70 noise

[Muzimak]

Originally Posted by B4_685

Just replace the oil - cheaper first step. I’d go for a heavier oil in my experience - 80W-140 if you’re in a warm climate, 75W-90 if it gets cold where you live. Once the noise is there, chances are you will need to replace something soon but you might get away with it for a while with new lubrication


2012 E70 N63 50i

Thanx I will buy the oil today, get it filled, if the noise goes away then I need a new mechanic like Nyc Dito said! Quick questoin, why when I go to a spares shop looking for 75W90 most bottles are written Transmission Oil, some even have Gear Logo on them? Is this gearbox oil?

[fiE70]

In my case I replaced the oil and the noise continued for a while. After changing summer tires after few months the noise disappeared and didn't either come back with the exactly same winter tires as before. Maybe the new oil did the trick after all.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Muzimak

Hey everyone, any resolution to this matter, I'm a new victim. My mechanic said it's common BMW problem, I asked him if I should go buy replacement oil and he said I'm wasting time and money, the diff needs rebuilding or replacement. He didn't even bother inspecting it.

There are not a lot of stories where a diff starts making noise, people change fluid and - magic- the diff is fixed and lasts another 100,000 miles.


Just saying


Its easy to say 'get a new mechanic'....and if I am being honest, he should have at least LOOKED at the fluid...but it seems that once they get noisy, its usually terminal.


And you need the proper oil. This isnt an 'ask the guys online' or 'go to the store and jsut get what the guy says'. Do your research, some diffs need special oil with specific friction modifiers. Id get whatever fluid BMW recommends.




I know it is attractive to go with people that say "yeah, just change the oil to something else and avoid the $$$ path"...sadly it doenst work that way

[Muzimak]

Originally Posted by ard

There are not a lot of stories where a diff starts making noise, people change fluid and - magic- the diff is fixed and lasts another 100,000 miles.


Just saying


Its easy to say 'get a new mechanic'....and if I am being honest, he should have at least LOOKED at the fluid...but it seems that once they get noisy, its usually terminal.


And you need the proper oil. This isnt an 'ask the guys online' or 'go to the store and jsut get what the guy says'. Do your research, some diffs need special oil with specific friction modifiers. Id get whatever fluid BMW recommends.




I know it is attractive to go with people that say "yeah, just change the oil to something else and avoid the $$$ path"...sadly it doenst work that way

Thanx Ard, I will try the cheaper option first, change the Oil and see if all is good, if it doesn't work I'll start looking for a New Diff : Part Number 33107590914

[spyro235]

Hi, just wanted to pipe in. Last tome I was in this thread was over a year ago but it’s been a slow year. I’m about 37k miles deeper into my X5, sitting at a few hundred over 279. My diff is TOTSLLY fine. I beat on this thing off road too. I believe my driveline noise is actually my trans, possibly a tiny bit low on fluid, and it’s been like that since about 235k miles. When i do my big suspension service I’ll also service my trans again and make sure I have enough fluid to maybe make it a little happier, lol.

If you really have diff whine, 100% start with fluid. If it keeps making noises change the fluid again to inspect and send it out for analysis.

Best of luck!