Front/Rear Differential Fluids

BIG_KID · 06-12-2023, 03:59 PM

So it’s time to change the fluids again on my 2011 X3 28i (185K on this old girl) I also have a 2014 X3 35i that needs diff fluids changed. I see BMW made a change on fluid requirements between these two model years. My question is can I use the fluid requirements for the newer vehicle in the older vehicle to keep it simple. I’m thinking of using the REDLINE 50104 75W85 in all the differentials. The 2011 has a build date of 2011-03-19 thanks for the help…

agent_orange · 06-16-2023, 04:20 AM

The diffs themselves didn't change at all, BMW just made the oil spec thinner in late 2011 to eke out another 0.0001% fuel economy with little risk of diffs failing in the warranty period.
I used the Castrol equivalent of the older specification in my 2014.

BIG_KID · 06-17-2023, 02:17 PM

Thanks, the older spec front fluid is getting updated….

06-12-2023, 03:59 PM	#1
BIG_KID Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 28i Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Northern indiana iTrader: (0)	Front/Rear Differential Fluids So it’s time to change the fluids again on my 2011 X3 28i (185K on this old girl) I also have a 2014 X3 35i that needs diff fluids changed. I see BMW made a change on fluid requirements between these two model years. My question is can I use the fluid requirements for the newer vehicle in the older vehicle to keep it simple. I’m thinking of using the REDLINE 50104 75W85 in all the differentials. The 2011 has a build date of 2011-03-19 thanks for the help…
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06-16-2023, 04:20 AM	#2
agent_orange Private First Class 152 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2014 F25 X3 30d, 2021 F87 M2C Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	The diffs themselves didn't change at all, BMW just made the oil spec thinner in late 2011 to eke out another 0.0001% fuel economy with little risk of diffs failing in the warranty period. I used the Castrol equivalent of the older specification in my 2014.
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06-17-2023, 02:17 PM	#3
BIG_KID Second Lieutenant 68 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 28i Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Northern indiana iTrader: (0)	Thanks, the older spec front fluid is getting updated….
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