'11 F25 Transfer Case ATC 450 Compatibility Question

Kiemyster · 10-25-2021, 04:35 PM

Hey guys, I am hoping someone with experience on this topic can chime in.

My 2011 F25 X335 transfer case failed randomly. It was fine one minute, then I changed the OFHG, valve cover gasket, replaced coils and plugs, and changed brakes. When I turned the car back on, there was moaning and rattling coming from the exhaust. Car was undriveable, any acceleration was met with heavy resistance and shuddering on the test drive after the work. Towed it to my shop, they disconnected the transfer case connector and all was well. So they diagnosed it as a bad transfer case.

I went and purchased a used ATC 450 transfer case that came from an X5. I was told by the seller that it would fit. So my shop attempted to install and it did not fit. they said it was not seating properly and said it was the wrong unit, despite being identical to the unit from the vehicle originally. The tech told me that there was a slight difference in the housing size of the ATC 450 from the E70, but I was not able to verify this.

So now I have paid for labor for an install/removal already, and now am trying to source the proper ATC 450 for my X3. I am struggling to find one that came out of a F25 2011 X3.

So now here is my question, I was told by another seller that the only difference between the ATC 450 for the F25 and E70 was the rubber mount. Is this true? or are the units actually physically different in measurement?

If it is a matter of using the wrong gasket, im going to be pissed with my shop and force them to not charge me for the labor on that first attempted install. Car has been out of commission for months now and im trying to get it ready to sell.

Anyone know about this? I know the transfer case on the 2011 F25 is different than 2012+ units.

Blessings!!

deyrag · 10-25-2021, 06:56 PM

look up the correct part number base don your VIN on realoem.com. You can then see what else (if anything) it fits

Kiemyster · 10-26-2021, 03:33 PM

^^ Thanks, I have done that already lol. Real OEM states that it is a different part number when comparing the E70 to F25, but I have a company that rebuilds these ATC cases telling me that its the same case and just the mounts differ, but real oem shows its a different part number.

Again, I only need people with experience with this specific issue to chime in. Keep the "check realoem" responses to yourself. Thanks.

agent_orange · 11-05-2021, 10:20 PM

Probably a bit late, but have you absolutely ruled out that it isn't actually a bad wheel speed sensor or that a sensor got rust/metal on it from the brake job?
Was the DSC/traction light flashing when trying to drive it?

Several threads scattered throughout the forum where people thought their transfer case was completely fubar only for it to be a wheel speed sensor.

Can't help with the E70 compatibility sorry.

10-25-2021, 04:35 PM	#1
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 453 Rep 3,197 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	'11 F25 Transfer Case ATC 450 Compatibility Question Hey guys, I am hoping someone with experience on this topic can chime in. My 2011 F25 X335 transfer case failed randomly. It was fine one minute, then I changed the OFHG, valve cover gasket, replaced coils and plugs, and changed brakes. When I turned the car back on, there was moaning and rattling coming from the exhaust. Car was undriveable, any acceleration was met with heavy resistance and shuddering on the test drive after the work. Towed it to my shop, they disconnected the transfer case connector and all was well. So they diagnosed it as a bad transfer case. I went and purchased a used ATC 450 transfer case that came from an X5. I was told by the seller that it would fit. So my shop attempted to install and it did not fit. they said it was not seating properly and said it was the wrong unit, despite being identical to the unit from the vehicle originally. The tech told me that there was a slight difference in the housing size of the ATC 450 from the E70, but I was not able to verify this. So now I have paid for labor for an install/removal already, and now am trying to source the proper ATC 450 for my X3. I am struggling to find one that came out of a F25 2011 X3. So now here is my question, I was told by another seller that the only difference between the ATC 450 for the F25 and E70 was the rubber mount. Is this true? or are the units actually physically different in measurement? If it is a matter of using the wrong gasket, im going to be pissed with my shop and force them to not charge me for the labor on that first attempted install. Car has been out of commission for months now and im trying to get it ready to sell. Anyone know about this? I know the transfer case on the 2011 F25 is different than 2012+ units. Blessings!! __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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10-25-2021, 06:56 PM	#2
deyrag Private 15 Rep 78 Posts Drives: x3 2.8i Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: ma iTrader: (0)	look up the correct part number base don your VIN on realoem.com. You can then see what else (if anything) it fits
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10-26-2021, 03:33 PM	#3
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 453 Rep 3,197 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	^^ Thanks, I have done that already lol. Real OEM states that it is a different part number when comparing the E70 to F25, but I have a company that rebuilds these ATC cases telling me that its the same case and just the mounts differ, but real oem shows its a different part number. Again, I only need people with experience with this specific issue to chime in. Keep the "check realoem" responses to yourself. Thanks. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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11-05-2021, 10:20 PM	#4
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)	Probably a bit late, but have you absolutely ruled out that it isn't actually a bad wheel speed sensor or that a sensor got rust/metal on it from the brake job? Was the DSC/traction light flashing when trying to drive it? Several threads scattered throughout the forum where people thought their transfer case was completely fubar only for it to be a wheel speed sensor. Can't help with the E70 compatibility sorry.
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