G05
BMW X5
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2 days agoLAST POST
05-07-2024
I'm going through this right now with my 2020 X5 that is under CPO warranty. My dealership told me they need to change the fluid at a cost of $880 here in Buffalo, NY. The procedure is to then drive it for 140 miles, which with my permission they did for me. According to them, the issue was fixed and I need to pay for the service since it's not covered under warranty. However, if the fluid change did not fix the issue (rumbling at lower speeds, jerking), they would then change the Transfer Case under warranty and would not charge me for the service.

Going to pick it up tomorrow and try it for myself, but what a kick in the nuts to dish out that kind of money on something customers are not aware needs to be maintained.
05-07-2024
charbaby wrote
I'm going through this right now with my 2020 X5 that is under CPO warranty. My dealership told me they need to change the fluid at a cost of $880 here in Buffalo, NY. The procedure is to then drive it for 140 miles, which with my permission they did for me. According to them, the issue was fixed and I need to pay for the service since it's not covered under warranty. However, if the fluid change did not fix the issue (rumbling at lower speeds, jerking), they would then change the Transfer Case under warranty and would not charge me for the service.

Going to pick it up tomorrow and try it for myself, but what a kick in the nuts to dish out that kind of money on something customers are not aware needs to be maintained.
This isn't like engine oil, it doesn't need to be maintained, it's an indication of a problem in either the incorrect oil being used at the factory or an issue with the transfer case. Depending on the details of your situation, the dealer may be wrong in charging you for the oil. Here's some info for you.

First, the SIB that details the symptoms and possible causes relating to the transfer case. Hard to say in your case if "rumbling at lower speeds, jerking" fit within this SIB but since they decided to change the oil, I've attached the SIB pdf below.

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster

Once the oil has been changed and the car driven the necessary mileage the issue remains, per the SIB, here is a work order from one of our posters who had the oil changed but the symptoms persisted, so they disconnected the transfer case, took it out for a drive and the symptoms were gone.....then the transfer case was replaced.

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster
05-07-2024
Marty in NY wrote
This isn't like engine oil, it doesn't need to be maintained, it's an indication of a problem in either the incorrect oil being used at the factory or an issue with the transfer case. Depending on the details of your situation, the dealer may be wrong in charging you for the oil. Here's some info for you.

First, the SIB that details the symptoms and possible causes relating to the transfer case. Hard to say in your case if "rumbling at lower speeds, jerking" fit within this SIB but since they decided to change the oil, I've attached the SIB pdf below.

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster

Once the oil has been changed and the car driven the necessary mileage the issue remains, per the SIB, here is a work order from one of our posters who had the oil changed but the symptoms persisted, so they disconnected the transfer case, took it out for a drive and the symptoms were gone.....then the transfer case was replaced.

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster
Super helpful, thank you so much. Heading to the dealership now to see what they say. And yes, it is "shuddering" that's occurring as well.
05-07-2024
Yep they wouldn't budge. They claim if the issue comes back, they will replace the transfer case and provide me a refund for the $872.44 I just paid.

Parts: $99.38
Labor: $702.86
(+ tax)

For what it's worth it is driving as it should be now, will keep an eye out on it if the shuddering comes back.

Sign me up for this class action lawsuit if one ever comes up because having to fork this out for a factory originating issue is bull sh**.
05-07-2024
charbaby wrote
Yep they wouldn't budge. They claim if the issue comes back, they will replace the transfer case and provide me a refund for the $872.44 I just paid.

Parts: $99.38
Labor: $702.86
(+ tax)

For what it's worth it is driving as it should be now, will keep an eye out on it if the shuddering comes back.

Sign me up for this class action lawsuit if one ever comes up because having to fork this out for a factory originating issue is bull sh**.
I'd go to BMW and ask them what the diff is between fixing a warranty claim by changing oil or fixing it by replacing the Xfer case. To me, a fix is a fix and should be covered under warranty.
05-07-2024
Marty in NY wrote
I'd go to BMW and ask them what the diff is between fixing a warranty claim by changing oil or fixing it by replacing the Xfer case. To me, a fix is a fix and should be covered under warranty.
They wouldn't budge and my tech rep was insanely rude claiming "I'm the first car all year to have this issue" which based on this thread and the numerous other threads out there, is complete BS.
05-07-2024
charbaby wrote
They wouldn't budge and my tech rep was insanely rude claiming "I'm the first car all year to have this issue" which based on this thread and the numerous other threads out there, is complete BS.
Well, they're not the only BMW dealer around even if you have to go to Rochester or? and look at it this way, at least you get to claim winning the Golden Snowball award almost every year, except for just one year a few years ago when Binghamton won it :rolleyes:
05-07-2024
Anyone know the assembly date range for the G05 vehicles included in this TSB?

Has BMW admitted in writing that the wrong fluid was installed at the assembly plants?
05-07-2024
Di3s3l_Power wrote
I could be wrong; some 2019 and 2020 had the wrong fluid in the transfer case thus higher rate of failures
Any further details about BMW using the wrong fluid?
05-07-2024
rmorin1249 wrote
Anyone know the assembly date range for the G05 vehicles included in this TSB?

Has BMW admitted in writing that the wrong fluid was installed at the assembly plants?
All I know is the date listed on the SIB so figured anything prior to that is suspect
05-07-2024
TurtleBoy wrote
Welcome to the forum. I don't think there is any difference causing the issue. What seems to be causing the issue on some vehicles as that the wrong oil was used at the factory in some cases for the first two years or so of productions.
Don't the G05 rear wheels turn/rotate with the suspension? I think that would be differentiated from the E70.
05-07-2024
Marty in NY wrote
All I know is the date listed on the SIB so figured anything prior to that is suspect
Great, I have a Feb 2019 build.
05-07-2024
rmorin1249 wrote
Great, I have a Feb 2019 build.
You feeling lucky? Not all G05's in those years will have the issue. Spin the wheel :D
05-08-2024
bangle butter wrote
Don't the G05 rear wheels turn/rotate with the suspension? I think that would be differentiated from the E70.
I'm not following what you mean, are you maybe referring to IAS (rear wheel steering)? That was not a standard feature until the M60i.
05-08-2024
TurtleBoy wrote
Welcome to the forum. I don't think there is any difference causing the issue. What seems to be causing the issue on some vehicles as that the wrong oil was used at the factory in some cases for the first two years or so of productions.
TurtleBoy wrote
I'm not following what you mean, are you maybe referring to IAS (rear wheel steering)? That was not a standard feature until the M60i.
Yeah. That's what I was referring to. Clearly it is not a factor then.
05-08-2024
I would file a small claims suit against the dealer. That will get the general manager’s attention. It will cost them more than $900 to prepare for and go to small claims court for a case they may not win.
05-13-2024
charbaby wrote
I'm going through this right now with my 2020 X5 that is under CPO warranty. My dealership told me they need to change the fluid at a cost of $880 here in Buffalo, NY. The procedure is to then drive it for 140 miles, which with my permission they did for me. According to them, the issue was fixed and I need to pay for the service since it's not covered under warranty. However, if the fluid change did not fix the issue (rumbling at lower speeds, jerking), they would then change the Transfer Case under warranty and would not charge me for the service.

Going to pick it up tomorrow and try it for myself, but what a kick in the nuts to dish out that kind of money on something customers are not aware needs to be maintained.
You should’ve said That’s unreasonable. There’s a problem here I would’ve left. Said nothing kept driving it until it was not drivable. Now it’s your problem. It’s under warranty fix it.
05-15-2024
I'm considering performing this service myself. Does anyone know if other apps will open up the transfer case valves instead of ISTA? ie bimmercode, carly, etc?
05-15-2024
rmorin1249 wrote
Anyone know the assembly date range for the G05 vehicles included in this TSB?

Has BMW admitted in writing that the wrong fluid was installed at the assembly plants?
No, and BMW NA won't accept responsibility either. I had a case open with them and they stated they won't cover it.
05-15-2024
verruckt wrote
No, and BMW NA won't accept responsibility either. I had a case open with them and they stated they won't cover it.
After 13 BMWs I think I'm done. Between their "new designs" and lack of customer support I will likely move on but where I don't know. At my age I shouldn't be forced to go total BEV.
05-15-2024
TurtleBoy wrote
It is not recommended to change the fluid in either of them for the non-M.
"Not recommended" can have at least 2 meanings, They recommend you don't change it; or they have no recommended service interval.

Personally I have absolutely no faith in the term "lifetime" fluid unless they're talking until the unit itself fails.