Jesus how much do these things go for new? I can't imagine it would take more than an hour or two to unbolt the transfer case and pop a new one in, unless you are taking down the whole drivetrain to do so. So that would mean a new xdrive transfer case is like 3600?

ECS sells remanufactured Genuine BMW ATC500 TC for 2366 minus 200 core so its 2166
Home Page > Search > 27107555297 > ES#2167563 Remanufactured ATC 500 Transfer Case - 27107555297

I'm pretty sure you can unbolt and replace yourself, no?



I'd get a second opinion from another indie, are you sure its not your transfer case actuator motor thats going or something? or maybe you need a fluid change?

Ok, drained and refilled the transfer case oil (from dealer parts department for $43 for a quart bottle) and the whining noise is still present (I ran GTI transfer case oil change procedure). The drained oil was very dark but there were no metal fillings (by touch or using a magnet). Does this mean the gears are fine and the noise could be coming from outside the transfer case?

Here's the noise:

https://www.box.com/s/r2qsl1v3u0qwqcjmes16

It's now 1k miles after transfer case oil change and the noise has reduced considerably- it's barely audible. Have to turn off music and a/c and drive below 30mph to hear the transfer case noise.

One other thing I notice is that the front drive shaft turns slight clockwise or anticlockwise if I turn it by hand- is this normal? The rear does not turn at all by hand.

I'm having the same issue with my transfer case. My Indy filled it with new fluid two days ago, but I still hear a whine. I think I've only put about 70 miles on it since then though. I guess I should wait till I have about 1k on it like yours. Has yours gotten any better? Oddly enough, mine started right after I got new winter tires 2 weeks ago. It's a square setup though.

Update:

3k miles now and the transfer case whining noise is completely gone- it's absolutely quiet. I even forgot about it!:thumbup:

Did you have any vibration from your problem, or just the noise?

Just the noise. Man, I forgot about this issue completely:D Can't believe a simple oil change fixed it and costing me only $43 for the oil +my time but the indie and dealership where talking about replacing the transfer case for $4K+.

I'm changing the oil tomorrow and hoping that will do the trick, but I have a pretty good shake happening, even moreso than the noise. I think I'm going to be spending the $4K. *extreme sad face*

Make sure to reset the transfer case adaptations on the facelift 04-06 case when you do the oil change with Xdrive fluid.