G05
BMW X5
61.5KVIEWS
161REPLIES
37APPRECIATES
81ACTIVE PEOPLE
04-30-2026LAST POST
10-10-2024
chefwong wrote
Original Owner ? Historically, you know what wheels have been run on it and also tire history (2mm tread deviation or less per axle if I recall).

That's the only reason I have a set of OE's lying around should I need to bring the car in as -stock-

I wonder how far did they need to dig to see the coding. Or is there some some of audit log that clearly shows it when the dealers runs their diag on it.
Original owner. Tires stock. At some point they obviously seen a VO change. When it was coded here in Canada anti-dazzle was not enabled codemybimmer enabled them and order to do so they had to change the VO I think to “trick” the car into thinking it was EU spec. That’s what the guy told me….had I thought it would cause this kind of issue I would not have done it. I’ve had a good relationship with this dealer for many years up until about a year ago when their master tech left, after this the whole service department has gone to shit and all this and warranty stuff started. From what I was told the Service Advisors don’t even communicate with BMW warranty, it’s the technician working on the car that communicates directly with BMW warranty department. So unless the tech is a douche bag bmw would not even know about tires, rims, spacers etc. Really … why would a tech care, there is some discretion on their part to at least speak to the customer. Maybe I expect to much. Regardless BMW put the incorrect oil in the transfer case at the factory that caused the failure so fix it.
10-10-2024
MVDsF30 wrote
Recent new owner of a 23 40iX w/ 22k miles, and all this talk about the transfer case worries me. Will the X delete actually disengage the transfer case and become a none issue ?

Also no need for X drive for me, in Arizona / Nevada nearly summer climate year round. Say in the future it failed, could I just remove the TC and essentially retro it to an S drive, would that be a possibility ?
From my understanding, it sets the front axle to output 0% torque so the clutch stays open. Maybe you could have the front axle shaft removed from the transfer case.
10-10-2024
denaliman wrote
Regardless BMW put the incorrect oil in the transfer case at the factory that caused the failure so fix it.
I haven't done a deep dive on the TC issue (since I don't have this issue yet) , however it was on my radar of known chassis issues. Sofar, it appeared to be mainly 2019 although I am seeing some remarks on others in 2020 chassis. I suppose that wrong oil was used even further than those 2 years potentially
10-10-2024
chefwong wrote
I haven't done a deep dive on the TC issue (since I don't have this issue yet) , however it was on my radar of known chassis issues. Sofar, it appeared to be mainly 2019 although I am seeing some remarks on others in 2020 chassis. I suppose that wrong oil was used even further than those 2 years potentially
2019 thru 2023 so far that people have reported this issue and TC replaced.
10-10-2024
denaliman wrote
2019 thru 2023 so far that people have reported this issue and TC replaced.
:confused0068:

I posted in another recent TC thread then.
So wrong fluid used in 2019-2020.
https://www.tsbsearch.com/BMW/SI-B27-02-20

Was the wrong fluid used post or is this more a mechanical issue of the TC with correct fluid or not...
10-15-2024
I’ll add my data point.

2020 x40i 71k miles. Definitely getting the transfer case issue at very low speeds while turning. Factory tire specs, air suspension. Gonna buy the oil and get a pump to do the fluid exchange myself. I didn’t notice the problem until the last few thousand miles
10-16-2024
A fluid change will not fix worn out clutches. Don't waste your time. If you feel it ur trans needs to be rebuilt. I'll say it one more time fluid will not fix the problem!
10-18-2024
denaliman wrote
Original owner. Tires stock. At some point they obviously seen a VO change. When it was coded here in Canada anti-dazzle was not enabled codemybimmer enabled them and order to do so they had to change the VO I think to “trick” the car into thinking it was EU spec. That’s what the guy told me….had I thought it would cause this kind of issue I would not have done it. I’ve had a good relationship with this dealer for many years up until about a year ago when their master tech left, after this the whole service department has gone to shit and all this and warranty stuff started. From what I was told the Service Advisors don’t even communicate with BMW warranty, it’s the technician working on the car that communicates directly with BMW warranty department. So unless the tech is a douche bag bmw would not even know about tires, rims, spacers etc. Really … why would a tech care, there is some discretion on their part to at least speak to the customer. Maybe I expect to much. Regardless BMW put the incorrect oil in the transfer case at the factory that caused the failure so fix it.
Any updates on this? Seems bizarre they would deny transfer case warranty based on anti-dazzle. I suspect my transfer case is going but I've also done anti-dazzle coding. Wonder if I should de-code before bringing it in?
10-18-2024
user12464 wrote
Any updates on this? Seems bizarre they would deny transfer case warranty based on anti-dazzle. I suspect my transfer case is going but I've also done anti-dazzle coding. Wonder if I should de-code before bringing it in?
Still denying warranty. If I were you I would play it safe and remove the coding before service. Everything back to stock.
10-28-2024
Bumbleboy92 wrote
I’ll add my data point.

2020 x40i 71k miles. Definitely getting the transfer case issue at very low speeds while turning. Factory tire specs, air suspension. Gonna buy the oil and get a pump to do the fluid exchange myself. I didn’t notice the problem until the last few thousand miles
Had the fluid change done at a shop instead for $200, like to say for their expertise but I just couldn’t find the time. No shudder anymore but will see how long that will last. I’ve had a shudder in my Camaro which was associated with the torque converter, GM’s fix was also a fluid flush but for the transmission. That lasted 1 year before it came back
Dsmdrew wrote
A fluid change will not fix worn out clutches. Don't waste your time. If you feel it ur trans needs to be rebuilt. I'll say it one more time fluid will not fix the problem!
If I was still in warranty I’d be pushing BMW that route, but out of warranty I’ll probably stick to the flushes unless a catastrophic failure occurs unfortunately
10-29-2024
I brought my X5 in and it was confirmed the transfer case is bad. They changed the fluid and put in the miles, still bad. Oddly the symptoms seem even worse after fluid change. So they said transfer case will need to be replaced.

Unfortunately the part needs to be ordered from Germany and is on backorder so they told me to take the car back until the part arrives. Anyone have an idea how long it takes to get a part like this from Germany? Dealer had no idea.

Also, beyond further destroying the already damaged transfer case, are there any other risks to continuing to drive the X5 with a bad transfer case?
10-29-2024
They ordered mine last Thursday and I received a message it arrived today. Maybe I got the last one?. FYI, after they changed the fluid mine seemed to be worse as well. Generally it takes about a week from Germany.
11-07-2024
Same issue, same year. Had BMW do a fluid change. Still can slip a little in sharp turns in the wet under acceleration at a 4 way stop.
11-08-2024
2019 x5, 39k miles, no issues thus far. Should I prophylactically change the transfer case fluid? Dealer quoting me 1100$
11-10-2024
elbandito wrote
2019 x5, 39k miles, no issues thus far. Should I prophylactically change the transfer case fluid? Dealer quoting me 1100$
If you don't have an extended warranty then yes I would change the transfer case fluid.
11-11-2024
Theewade wrote
$750 seems fair for a fluid change (1st Step), I just had mine done two months ago. Issue came back though after 200 miles. Had the used car vehicle dealer, I bought my car from, pay for the replacement transfercase. $6865.........
Man I think 750 dollars to change less than a litre of 40 dollar fluid is a robbery. Did it myself. I get getting some electronic issue sorted or major complex issues that need specific equipment but an oil change. Insane to me.
11-11-2024
D10's user avatarD10

$750 is fair compared to what other dealers were charging.

If it wasn’t covered under my used car warranty, I would of done it myself.
11-11-2024
https://www.heberfirm.com/bmw-transfer-case-investigation/

We need more people to get onboard. I have talked to Nathan and he can help us. A fluid change only prolongs the replacement that will eventually happen. BMW needs to make this right with a recall.
11-14-2024
I wish everyone would suppport the potential class action petition. I have a feeling that this is going to be a nightmare later. Even with the fluid change, how much potential damage was done to the transfer case that will cause it to fail early? I might be OK today but I really don’t know what the life expectancy will be now. This is a BMW issue that they should stand behind.
11-20-2024
I'm experiencing the same issue with my 22 x5 m50i 36k miles. I brought it into the dealer yesterday morning and today my advisor said they will change fluid, and I will need to drive it for 120-150 miles. If I'm experiencing the same problem, then they will replace transfer case.
11-20-2024
Cyberdemon wrote
Bumping this also - would folks who had the driveline issues say there is a noise accompanied with it?

I've noticed the low speed shudder/wheel slip feeling at low turning speeds on our 40i. However the tires are getting lower on tread I can't tell if tires would fix this or I should just drive it to the dealer before it becomes a headache.

I am out of warranty and spending $1500 on tires and another $7k on a transfer case on a car worth $25k is a bit worrying, we're closing in on 70k miles.
My tires are low on tread too. I brought my car in on Tuesday and im replacing tires and changing transfer case fluid (covered under warranty). Sorry to hear your out of warranty. :(. I'll let you know if im still experiencing same issue once i get my car back.
11-22-2024
Nuke88 wrote
My tires are low on tread too. I brought my car in on Tuesday and im replacing tires and changing transfer case fluid (covered under warranty). Sorry to hear your out of warranty. :(. I'll let you know if im still experiencing same issue once i get my car back.
I never updated, I changed the tires and no change. Then I changed both the transfer case fluid and transmission fluid myself. Car felt as good as new after. Did the front and rear diffs as well while I was down there.

Under $1k for the fluids from FCP plus the cost of tires.