2019. Any X-Drive $50 transfer case fluid alternatives?
 

Any options besides paying for the "secret" BMW/Shell formula oil?

Shell S-Tec OIL0005 is apparently available without the BMW markup.
Meets Specifications: API GL-4, DTF 1, Shell TF-0870.

https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/83222409710-MFG1199-V596.aspx


https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ll-83222409710


https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...-409-710-M1199

Is $50 once every ten years too much to pay for peace-of-mind in relation to an expensive transfer case?

Just sayin'... ;)

Yes, as mentioned, there are plenty of alternatives but the cost saving ($20?) is hardly worth the effort of tracking down and obtaining any of them. At least, over here it is. BMW DTF-1 is easy to get and while 1l cost me nearly $90 here, that is actaully less than getting any of the alternatives... (for me at least).

YMMV... literally... :thumbup:

I gladly invest $1000's, if needed, to refresh a newly acquired used car.
However, I don't like to be played a fool, either.
I was just wondering if anyone has unmasked what the real fluid is, and found a substitute.
A pint of tranny lube should not be more than $7.

I suspect the low demand for this particular formulation means that the cost per litre is higher than for fluids that are used in higher volumes....

Or you are paying a premium because of BMW on the label.

:nanana:

Not always the case - the alternatives are also far more expensive than more common fluids.

I use BMW washer fluid from the dealer. It's available in two formulas - winter and summer - and works well.

It's also cheaper than Bars Bugs. Go figure..

I buy $2 gallon washer fluid at the grocery store.
Methanol is Methanol

Bars Bugs (or similar) costs around $12 a litre - the BMW product is $11 a litre.

Back to the xDrive fluid - Ravenol make a DTF-1 that should be readily available....

https://www.ravenol.de/en/product-ra...r-fluid-dtf-1/

Huh. I pay about C$4 for a 4L jug of bug juice here. Same for the winter stuff that'll not freeze down to -40C.


On the topic of the xfer case lube: pony up and buy the OE stuff. 1L of the stuff every 10 years? Who cares what it costs.