[DykstraMotorsports]

Originally Posted by matowi

To those of you who experienced a differential failure, what were the symptoms. And, were you running OEM wheels or some aftermarket ones (importantly: were they in OEM spec in terms of rim sizes)?

The noise was a “whirring” or scraping type noise from the front.
Stock wheels 741M and tire size.

[matowi]

Thank you!

[dwwStL]

Originally Posted by swainbmw

....I’ve had this problem with Land Rovers over the years and what I started doing was getting a rebuild kit for the dif and having a local shop that specializes in transmissions and differentials to rebuild it much cheaper

This has happened to you so many times you have a standard go-too fix? I would die.

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by dwwStL

This has happened to you so many times you have a standard go-too fix? I would die.

Yes, I left Land Rover many years ago in fact, 2015 started out with a Land Cruiser and found out what true quality was about with no Mechanical breakdowns Now I’m Toyota for life

[dwwStL]

The leak(s) can't be fixed by replacing gaskets? Or even the casing. I'd think a local transmission shop would be able to fix this for less than replacing. Replacing for a leak seems excessive, but I've never had this so have no idea.

[dwwStL]

Originally Posted by swainbmw

Yes, I left Land Rover many years ago in fact, 2015 started out with a Land Cruiser and found out what true quality was about with no Mechanical breakdowns Now I’m Toyota for life

I think Land Rovers are beautiful and the coachwork is excellent, but wow, their reputation for mechanical failures is legendary. Notorious?
ETA: Range Rovers but same difference.

[swainbmw]

Originally Posted by dwwStL

I think Land Rovers are beautiful and the coachwork is excellent, but wow, their reputation for mechanical failures is legendary. Notorious?

They’re so bad and I drove them for 20 years. They should be banned from selling cars.

[ef11]

Originally Posted by matowi

To those of you who experienced a differential failure, what were the symptoms. And, were you running OEM wheels or some aftermarket ones (importantly: were they in OEM spec in terms of rim sizes)?

I heard a sound that was like a coat hanger lightly dragging under the car. Could only really hear it from 30-40mph, but that may only be because there was too much wind noise above 40mph. Took it in and had the FDD replaced under warranty luckily. I could hear it more when next to a fence or concrete wall with the windows cracked.

[eordaz]

I just got my car for service two days ago. For the last couple of months has been hearing intermittentl grinding noise. I thought that was the brakes. For my surprise the inspection showed that the front differential is leaking oil. The car has 53000 miles. The repair is quoted $9300. Outrageous.
I am waiting for the manager to get back to me to see what they can do. I will be calling today to BMW customer relations.
Seems there is a lot of people with the same problem. I believe this should be a lawsuit.

[Axxlrod]

Just adding info.

The front diff failed died on my '23 X5 50i at around 20k miles. Dealer blamed it on the replacement tires even though they were the stock size, but different brand since there was a tire shortage of the stock tires at the time.

Not sure how it ended up as I sold the X5 to the dealer while it was getting fixed.

[suitedcboy]

On many models of many brands using variable torque distribution transfer cases (some brands call them Power transfer cases or power take offs) the part time diffs fails when the clutches stick. The part time diffs are smaller and that is true for near 100% of SUVs, CUVs, and 1/2 through class 5 truck front diffs. FWD based AWD would be rear diff failures. If the transfer case sticks and keeps too much torque on the part time diffs, the oil bakes and fails and gears gall and bearings fail. The worrisome part here is diffs getting replaced and no mention of anything done to transfer case.

[Zena123]

Originally Posted by eordaz

I just got my car for service two days ago. For the last couple of months has been hearing intermittentl grinding noise. I thought that was the brakes. For my surprise the inspection showed that the front differential is leaking oil. The car has 53000 miles. The repair is quoted $9300. Outrageous.
I am waiting for the manager to get back to me to see what they can do. I will be calling today to BMW customer relations.
Seems there is a lot of people with the same problem. I believe this should be a lawsuit.

I agree seems to be happening a lot. I’m having same problems that started around 45k or earlier. What did BMW customer relations say?

[PunsGalore]

Im confused, is this issue specific to the V8 (50i and M50i) X5's or is this also on the 40i/45e's? Also, Land Rover/Range Rovers look great but you couldn't pay me to own one - too unreliable and expensive

[Gerhard Lamprecht]

My 2021 M50i front diff went at 78k miles. I had a 2014 50i and after 160k miles no drivetrain problems. I now have another 2015 50i and after 150k miles no drivetrain errors.

I read in the BMW technical training manual that BMW used thinner oil in front differential TO REDUCE EMISSIONS !!! There you have it. We are all screwed so BMW can meet EU emission regulations. Most likely also the problem with transfer cases that according to TSB had the wrong oil from factory. I think they just used too thin oil to reduce drag.

What upsets me is nobody told me. If BMW told me I would have done more oil changes and changed the oil and saved me the $6500 that they quoted for repair. Everyone makes mistakes, as I am a design engineer too, but not telling customers and sweeping it under the carpet is criminal. I am not sure I will ever buy BMW again, not even electric, because I never know what they are hiding from me - after my 12 BMWs 1992-2023 (31 years loyal to BMW) Very sad day for me !!!

[rmorin1249]

Originally Posted by Gerhard Lamprecht

My 2021 M50i front diff went at 78k miles. I had a 2014 50i and after 160k miles no drivetrain problems. I now have another 2015 50i and after 150k miles no drivetrain errors.

I read in the BMW technical training manual that BMW used thinner oil in front differential TO REDUCE EMISSIONS !!! There you have it. We are all screwed so BMW can meet EU emission regulations. Most likely also the problem with transfer cases that according to TSB had the wrong oil from factory. I think they just used too thin oil to reduce drag.

What upsets me is nobody told me. If BMW told me I would have done more oil changes and changed the oil and saved me the $6500 that they quoted for repair. Everyone makes mistakes, as I am a design engineer too, but not telling customers and sweeping it under the carpet is criminal. I am not sure I will ever buy BMW again, not even electric, because I never know what they are hiding from me - after my 12 BMWs 1992-2023 (31 years loyal to BMW) Very sad day for me !!!

I had my transfer case fluid changed proactively at 35k miles. If it fails I will trade the vehicle immediately and I've previously decided the X5 is probably my last BMW. Do not like the new style, exterior or interior.

[LuckyBrand]

I wonder if this effects the V8 models more due to the extra hp and torque? I see a lot of V8's posted. Either way this isn't a good sign. If you're looking for a used x5 I would be extremely cautious on miles and warranty.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

Just adding info.

The front diff failed died on my '23 X5 50i at around 20k miles. Dealer blamed it on the replacement tires even though they were the stock size, but different brand since there was a tire shortage of the stock tires at the time.

Not sure how it ended up as I sold the X5 to the dealer while it was getting fixed.

Did you buy another car from them?

Originally Posted by PunsGalore

Im confused, is this issue specific to the V8 (50i and M50i) X5's or is this also on the 40i/45e's? Also, Land Rover/Range Rovers look great but you couldn't pay me to own one - too unreliable and expensive

Its not specific to engine, it' seems like a trend now on 40-60k mileage X5/X6/X7 but some never have an issue.

Originally Posted by Gerhard Lamprecht

My 2021 M50i front diff went at 78k miles. I had a 2014 50i and after 160k miles no drivetrain problems. I now have another 2015 50i and after 150k miles no drivetrain errors.

I read in the BMW technical training manual that BMW used thinner oil in front differential TO REDUCE EMISSIONS !!! There you have it. We are all screwed so BMW can meet EU emission regulations. Most likely also the problem with transfer cases that according to TSB had the wrong oil from factory. I think they just used too thin oil to reduce drag.

What upsets me is nobody told me. If BMW told me I would have done more oil changes and changed the oil and saved me the $6500 that they quoted for repair. Everyone makes mistakes, as I am a design engineer too, but not telling customers and sweeping it under the carpet is criminal. I am not sure I will ever buy BMW again, not even electric, because I never know what they are hiding from me - after my 12 BMWs 1992-2023 (31 years loyal to BMW) Very sad day for me !!!

My 2020 X7 M50i front diff started grinding at 51-52k miles, the transfer case noise at 47k miles. All fixed by BMW CPO warranty so far now 55k miles no issues.

Originally Posted by LuckyBrand

I wonder if this effects the V8 models more due to the extra hp and torque? I see a lot of V8's posted. Either way this isn't a good sign. If you're looking for a used x5 I would be extremely cautious on miles and warranty.

According to Facebook groups there's a TSB released by BMW and does not really matter the engine. Most ppl are changing the transfer case fluid at 30k miles and front diff fluid too.

[PunsGalore]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

I had my transfer case fluid changed proactively at 35k miles. If it fails I will trade the vehicle immediately and I've previously decided the X5 is probably my last BMW. Do not like the new style, exterior or interior.

Porsche next