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      01-21-2019, 02:17 PM   #1
F30NFifty5
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X3 Preventative Maintenance: Differentials, Transfer Case, Transmission Fluid Change

Took my lady's X3 to the local shop for some preventative maintenance. We changed transfer case fluid and the front/rear differentials. $210 in just fluids alone.
Car feels smooth, no real noticeable difference but there's definitely a peace of mind knowing the fluids are fresh. Next is going to be the transmission fluid. Will be ordering one of these kits soon and whenever it comes ill have the transmission serviced. Still have to do some research on which fluid is better, Ravenol or RedLine..

https://www.blauparts.com/bmw-x3-atf...e-kit-e83.html

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...24117593565kt1

Any input's appreciated.
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Last edited by F30NFifty5; 02-16-2019 at 07:52 PM..
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      01-29-2019, 07:02 AM   #2
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I pretty sure diffs are 75/85 GL4 Hypoid... it is for a 2015...never seen 75/140 listed...I have also seen 75/90 GL5 listed as the spec on mine...Next time I will pick one that says GL4/5 compatible

Although I used ZF tranny fluid till now... next time it’s Ravenol...which is the brand I am now using for the transfer case and diffs...

For info...If you match the spec... with a brand name alternative you can save a lot... stepping beyond the ZF smoke and mirrors.

You may find this useful on tranny fluid specs...which may or maybe not relevant to your vehicle: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...truth-2882676/

Last edited by Bilbofraggins; 01-29-2019 at 09:26 AM..
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      01-29-2019, 02:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins View Post
I pretty sure diffs are 75/85 GL4 Hypoid... it is for a 2015...never seen 75/140 listed...I have also seen 75/90 GL5 listed as the spec on mine...Next time I will pick one that says GL4/5 compatible

Although I used ZF tranny fluid till now... next time it’s Ravenol...which is the brand I am now using for the transfer case and diffs...

For info...If you match the spec... with a brand name alternative you can save a lot... stepping beyond the ZF smoke and mirrors.

You may find this useful on tranny fluid specs...which may or maybe not relevant to your vehicle: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...truth-2882676/
Im new to the world of differentials so I kind of left it up to my mechanic to figure out the specs... hope that doesn't backfire on me. Whats the worst case scenario I can expect if the differential fluid wasn't the correct spec??

I've read a lot about Ravenol but this is the tranny fluid I went with... At $9.65 a pop plus the gasket and filter i spent a total of $170
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      01-29-2019, 02:11 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frisbeeguy View Post
What a ripoff
I remember doing the diff fluids+case for ~$330 total...could have diy'd if I had tools, but was just starting up then and didn't realize the insane maintenance costs on Bimmers charged by independents+dealers....cost is way more reasonable for other makes, especially VW. Tranny fluid should be done, you just have to see "Dexron VI full synthetic" nothing else, brand doesn't really matter....tranny fluid is just tranny fluid....whatever is cheap, valvoline blue, acdelco, etc...these are just GM trannies. Cost may be ~780-$1000 at independents+dealers.
I just got a quote for $150 for the transmission service (drain and fill + filter/gasket change)

Also check the fluid I posted above.... that will suffice right?
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      01-29-2019, 02:30 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F30NFifty5 View Post
I just got a quote for $150 for the transmission service (drain and fill + filter/gasket change)

Also check the fluid I posted above.... that will suffice right?
yes, it will...says Dexron VI on it, so it works.
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      01-29-2019, 02:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F30NFifty5 View Post
I just got a quote for $150 for the transmission service (drain and fill + filter/gasket change)

Also check the fluid I posted above.... that will suffice right?
That's for labor...probably as good as you are going to get. The Febi product seems to fit the bill.

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/164...1-Liter-32600/

http://specchart.com



As for the diff fluid...what's the year again? Don't reuse the tranny pan bolts...I found that out the hard way....
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      01-29-2019, 02:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins View Post
That's for labor...probably as good as you are going to get. The Febi product seems to fit the bill.

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/164...1-Liter-32600/

http://specchart.com



As for the diff fluid...what's the year again? Don't reuse the tranny pan bolts...I found that out the hard way....
Its an 07... and damn the filter kit I got only came with the crush washer... guess i'll buy some new bolts for the pan before dropping it off.
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      01-29-2019, 04:40 PM   #8
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This is the stuff recommended for your diffs...75W90 OSP which Im pretty sure is GL5

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=83222365987

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1442048

I wouldn't use 75/140 in my diffs in a cold climate...
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      01-30-2019, 01:19 PM   #9
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F30NFifty5....did they run the adaptation....I didn't bother....

Thoughts anyone?
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      01-31-2019, 06:55 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins View Post
F30NFifty5....did they run the adaptation....I didn't bother....

Thoughts anyone?
I'd hate to admit it, but i didn't either.
May the criticism begin...
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      01-31-2019, 11:46 AM   #11
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Most mechanics don't run adaptations/software resets/etc for anything really b/c it's "time consuming," and "tedious," even though the service manual states to reset. Luckily engineers accounted for their lazy methods....you won't feel effects until around ~100K more miles after service was done....but most get rid of their vehicles by then.
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      02-16-2019, 07:50 PM   #12
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Update: Transmission Fluid Service Success

So today I finally got around to taking the X3 in for transmission servicing (Drain and fill fluid and filter change). The car was downshifting really roughly and upshifts were a bit jerky as well, especially in cold weather. With the new fluids in the shifts feel 80% better, I'm more than happy with the results. With 119,000 miles on the odometer, I'm not sure if the fluid was just really nasty or if there wasn't enough in the car, but regardless the new ATF worked wonders. Would definitely recommend.

Also took the time to replace the cabin air filter... The heat coming from the vents smelled really gross so I took a look at the filter which I'm sure has never been changed in the vehicle's lifetime and this is what I found..
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Last edited by F30NFifty5; 02-16-2019 at 07:56 PM..
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      02-16-2019, 11:39 PM   #13
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For what it's worth, I used the Redline trans kit in X3 and it worked great.
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      04-01-2019, 10:02 AM   #14
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I just used the FCP euro kit in my 2006. took almost all of the 6 Qts of Redline D4 fluid. It came with the correct metal/rubber pan gasket. and new fill/drain plugs. I had to run a tap to clean out galled threads for the pan bolts as the factory bolts are far superior to the replacement ones that come in the kit but it is what it is...so far so good.
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      04-15-2019, 11:28 PM   #15
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Fluid Flush

e83LCI-You can remove the the return line from the trans cooler at the bottom of the rad, it's the one towards the middle of car. Then you can attach clear hose (from Lowes) and watch as the old dirty fluid turns clean. You have to run it through the gears (running) and keep adding fluid so it doesn't run out. If it does run low it will set a bunch of transmission codes. Did this with a filter change, and flashed the newer DME and EGS software pre 12/07 production. This fixed a multitude of shifting problems on a 150k 09/06 e83. There is a bulletin on the software, I cant believe it was never done. Apparently the symptoms get worse with mileage/age. My daughter has one with 130k showing the same shifting issues 07/07 production, never been updated, but did have the trans filter and flush at 75k. Gonna do hers next.
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      04-16-2019, 09:44 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r_1 View Post
e83LCI-You can remove the the return line from the trans cooler at the bottom of the rad, it's the one towards the middle of car. Then you can attach clear hose (from Lowes) and watch as the old dirty fluid turns clean. You have to run it through the gears (running) and keep adding fluid so it doesn't run out. If it does run low it will set a bunch of transmission codes. Did this with a filter change, and flashed the newer DME and EGS software pre 12/07 production. This fixed a multitude of shifting problems on a 150k 09/06 e83. There is a bulletin on the software, I cant believe it was never done. Apparently the symptoms get worse with mileage/age. My daughter has one with 130k showing the same shifting issues 07/07 production, never been updated, but did have the trans filter and flush at 75k. Gonna do hers next.
Where did you get the software?
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      04-23-2019, 09:11 AM   #17
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Its amazing how much a shop will charge for servicing vs. just getting under the car and doing it yourself. I just did,

Oil change Mobile 1 with Mann filter $40
Manual trans flush LT4 Ravenol x 2L $20
Transfer case flush BMW fluid $50
Brake flush - ATE Type 200 $15
Total - $125 and about 2 hours of my time

On my wifes old X3 I did the automatic trans service kit with BMW fluid. It's a really easy service and you don't need to replace the bolts. You just cannot over torque them or they will snap. Its only an M8 bolt! I personally don't use Febi on anything that's inaccessible or critical to the operation on the car. I buy BMW, or OEM stuff only because if it lasted that long before replacing then its peace of mind for the next 100+K
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      12-05-2019, 12:04 PM   #18
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englishtom1596 what trans kit did you use?
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      12-22-2019, 11:51 PM   #19
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I recently did both diff oil, transfer case oil and tranny oil at a workshop. New spark plugs and carbon clean spray into the intake. Drives much nicer, shifts softer and has more power without that hesitation experienced before.
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