BMW e87 Differential Repair

melon_collie

I think the differential in my wife's 2005 1 series is starting to go. Its making a slight whining sound under drive. Appears to be a very common issue on these cars. I am limited with my options as to what to do next. BMW quoted me €2,000+ for a new diff. There appears to be nobody in the country to refurbish them. I've been in touch with a few specialists and no luck. My only option appears to be to buy a used one from car dismantlers. However there are a lot of differentials available for that particular car each one with a particular gear ratio. Does anyone know how I would identify which ratio of differential I have? I will need this in order to request a replacement. Would BMW tell me? If anyone could help or advise I would appreciate it. thanks

Greyfoot

I don`t get it why you would you fork out for a new one when any competent mechanic can get it rebuild way cheaper. Reading on its output bearing on these, I know at least a decent guy who rebuilds truck gearboxes diffs in the Arklow area if interested pm me.

listermint

Motor Confidence
Unit 14B ,Knockmitten lane ,Western industrial estate,Naas road D12
ph +353868964573

Try Valdas here, He can look after you if not he can point you in the right direction to have the work done.

Dont ring BMW direct for these types of things they are useless.

burke027

listermint wrote: »

Motor Confidence
Unit 14B ,Knockmitten lane ,Western industrial estate,Naas road D12
ph +353868964573

Try Valdas here, He can look after you if not he can point you in the right direction to have the work done.

Dont ring BMW direct for these types of things they are useless.

I've done plenty of these and there the same as the 3series. Don't buy a second hand one as it's a common fault I think the price from BMW new is 1400e but any of the ones I've done I've got them rebuilt and you can half the bill for parts and labour

If u need more advice just ask il be happy to help

Andrew_Doran

melon_collie wrote: »

Does anyone know how I would identify which ratio of differential I have?

Put the last 7 digits of the VIN in here where it says "serial number" and click "search", make sure the info matches your car, then click "browse parts".

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

The final drive should (but might not be) under Rear Axle -> Rear Axle Drive. Look at the part number / description for the final drive. Under the "supplement" column it should have the ratio. For example, I=3,15 means a ratio of 3.15.

EDIT: BMW diffs used to (still do??) have a label on top with the ratio, part number and so on. if you go to a scrappie, bring a rag or something to clean it off so you can read it.

melon_collie

Thanks for that. Exactly what I was looking for. It appears that I have a 2.47 diff. I am not having much success in finding someone who will repair my existing diff. I called Motor Confidence as recommended by an earlier poster but they told me that they cannot get the parts to refurb the diff (apparently BMW won't give them out). I have been told the exact same thing by two more transmission specialists. So it appears now that my only option is to buy a used diff with low mileage and hope for the best or buy a new one from BMW for over €2,000. :eek:

Andrew_Doran

To add, once you get the part number you can search by part number on that site to see which models came with the same final drive (make sure to select ECE/Europe). Although, for each model you'd need to check that the final drive's output and input flanges and so on are also the same part number as your car.

Andrew_Doran

melon_collie wrote: »

Thanks for that. Exactly what I was looking for. It appears that I have a 2.47 diff. I am not having much success in finding someone who will repair my existing diff. I called Motor Confidence as recommended by an earlier poster but they told me that they cannot get the parts to refurb the diff (apparently BMW won't give them out). I have been told the exact same thing by two more transmission specialists. So it appears now that my only option is to buy a used diff with low mileage and hope for the best or buy a new one from BMW for over €2,000. :eek:

That's annoying, it's ridiculous how disposable cars are seen now that repair isn't an option.

jetfiremuck

If its the bearing you can get a number off the bearing itself and google to match it. Skf or timkin are good brands. Youll need a seal too.

b318isp

There is another option : do nothing.

Differentials offer whir, and are more noticeable in RWD cars. This can go on for years. Unless it is very noisy, change the oil and leave it whir away for the meantime. Also, there is a propshaft centre bearing too - discount this, as they fail more often (seem to get about 10 years out of them) and are easy & cheaper to replace.

BTW, if it is the pinion bearing that is worn (and it's these that often go first), then this needs preloading, a job only for the professionals.

burke027

b318isp wrote: »

There is another option : do nothing.

Differentials offer whir, and are more noticeable in RWD cars. This can go on for years. Unless it is very noisy, change the oil and leave it whir away for the meantime. Also, there is a propshaft centre bearing too - discount this, as they fail more often (seem to get about 10 years out of them) and are easy & cheaper to replace.

BTW, if it is the pinion bearing that is worn (and it's these that often go first), then this needs preloading, a job only for the professionals.

That's the worst advice ever have u ever being in a car with a diff gone. The noise of it is crazy.
Changing the oil what's the point the parts are wore at this stage.
Personally I think the problem is that BMW say the oil is lifetime when in actual fact it really should be chaned sat every 30k

I don't know who quoted you over 2 grand either they are 1400 as I've said. And buying a second hand one it will defo go there all going we have done numerous one at this stage and never have a problem over halling them either.

Anyways just my two cent worth

keithsfleet

Try the gearbox specialist on Nutgrove Avenue in South Dublin.
Used them a few years back for a couple of fiddly jobs that had been turned down by another well known gearbox specialist in Dublin.

b318isp

burke027 wrote: »

That's the worst advice ever have u ever being in a car with a diff gone. The noise of it is crazy.
Changing the oil what's the point the parts are wore at this stage.
Personally I think the problem is that BMW say the oil is lifetime when in actual fact it really should be chaned sat every 30k

Anyways just my two cent worth

Did you read my post properly? I said that if the noise isn't too bad, then it is an option to leave it. If it is so loud that failure is imminent, then obviously this is not an option. Many older RWD cars developed diff whines after a couple of years, and continued doing so for many years more. I rebuilt a diff many years ago, and it ended up only being marginally better.

I have never heard of any manufacturer requiring 30k intervals on (manual) transmissions. I changed my LSD oil after 50k, and it was still clean. I changed the ATF in my gearbox after 10 years (~100k).

burke027

b318isp wrote: »

Did you read my post properly? I said that if the noise isn't too bad, then it is an option to leave it. If it is so loud that failure is imminent, then obviously this is not an option. Many older RWD cars developed diff whines after a couple of years, and continued doing so for many years more. I rebuilt a diff many years ago, and it ended up only being marginally better.

I have never heard of any manufacturer requiring 30k intervals on (manual) transmissions. I changed my LSD oil after 50k, and it was still clean. I changed the ATF in my gearbox after 10 years (~100k).

When tees make noise it's very loud to the point of a horrible drive when in the car so it's not a option