Public Service Announcement: Differential Fluid

rzm3 · 01-12-2011, 07:58 PM

I've been looking to replace the differential fluid in my car... Castrol SAF XJ 75W140 that is.

Called two BMW dealers in town, last year it was only available in 55 gallon barrels, this year it is available in 0.5L quantities, but here's what I was quoted:

Dealer A: $80/bottle
Dealer B: $50/bottle (parts guy said this is still cheaper than bringing the car in)

Luckily I googled "Castrol SAF XJ", and apparently the C63 uses the same fluid.

So I called the Mercedes dealer in town and was quoted:

$17/bottle

End of public service announcement.

P.S.: Thanks AMG

persian54 · 01-12-2011, 08:00 PM

wow no AMG mark up?

Nice

SHADY1 · 01-12-2011, 08:04 PM

I sure hope BMW Big Brother and its Stealerships are looking at this

Thanks for the info

AMG price FTW

ES_TRADER · 01-12-2011, 08:13 PM

can someone pls tell me how often differential fluid has to be changed on this car? is it same everytime with engine oil? So if i wanted to change engine oil in between service like say, every 7k instead of the warranted 15k, should i change differential too?

Rydawg1 · 01-12-2011, 08:19 PM

What's the time/mileage interval for this fluid change?

rzm3 · 01-12-2011, 08:42 PM

Per BMW, these fluids are life-long, but I would like to change them once in a while...

4.0 Oil Change Intervals
Maintenance requirements per the vehicle’s Service Booklet or the respective Service Maintenance Checklist.
Replacement final drives: same as for new vehicles.
All models as of 9/97 production are factory-filled with synthetic rear axle oil having a long-life service rating.
No oil changes are required for the life of the vehicle.

Gladius · 01-12-2011, 09:25 PM

The Tech Talk guy suggests every 30k miles. That's what I did on my E46 M3.

Krozi · 01-12-2011, 09:32 PM

Your Diff is going to explode into a million pieces with the Mercedes branded oil :P

Good deal, thanks for posting.

elp_jc · 01-12-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Castrol SAF XJ 75W140
Dealer A: $80/bottle
Dealer B: $50/bottle
So I called the Mercedes dealer in town and was quoted:
$17/bottle

Hey, that price should be for the SAF XJ FM, right??? The regular SAF XJ fluid start chattering in a few thousand miles.

The better question is if the MB fluid has the extra additive or not. Do you know? If yes, I'd change mine immediately. Thanks man

.

08E92M3 · 01-12-2011, 10:03 PM

Is that the same fluid for the M-DCT?

Trier Germany · 01-12-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08E92M3

Is that the same fluid for the M-DCT?

No!

I have a print out of service requirements and my dealer said the rear diff gets changed every 3rd oil change according to CBS.

elp_jc · 01-12-2011, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08E92M3

Is that the same fluid for the M-DCT?

DCT is the TRANSMISSION. Differentials are basically identical, even if they have different gear ratios.

rzm3 · 01-12-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Hey, that price should be for the SAF XJ FM, right??? The regular SAF XJ fluid start chattering in a few thousand miles.

The better question is if the MB fluid has the extra additive or not. Do you know? If yes, I'd change mine immediately. Thanks man

.

I did not specify whether I wanted the fluid with FM booster. I believe that unless you complain about differential noises, BMW uses non FM booster fluid by default, at least that is what is specified in their repair documentation.

My DCT has stock SAF-XJ and does not make any noise. My 6MT did make noise, however.

The MB fluid is the typical SAF-XJ and does not have FM booster.

Gkap · 01-12-2011, 11:22 PM

thanks for the info

geneatals · 01-12-2011, 11:28 PM

Isn't diff fluid also changed at the 1200 mile service?

Krozi · 01-12-2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geneatals

Isn't diff fluid also changed at the 1200 mile service?

Should be....

I changed my diff and tranny fluid when I bought the car used with 17k miles. I plan on changing the diff fluid again at 30k miles. 3k miles to go.

geneatals · 01-12-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krozi

Should be....

I changed my diff and tranny fluid when I bought the car used with 17k miles. I plan on changing the diff fluid again at 30k miles. 3k miles to go.

found the answer to my q RE: 1200 mile service...
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...erential+fluid

M GmbH · 01-12-2011, 11:45 PM

Amsoil has a 75W-140 for $12.00.
https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svo.aspx

flipmeraz · 01-13-2011, 12:17 AM

If this works it'll be perfect. I work for benz and will get it cheap.

elp_jc · 01-13-2011, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krozi

I changed my diff and tranny fluid when I bought the car used with 17k miles.

Did you put stock fluids in there? I ask because tranny fluid only seems to be available in a 5L jug. And the diff fluid that doesn't chatter is ridiculously expensive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rldzhao

I believe that unless you complain about differential noises, BMW uses non FM booster fluid by default

Indeed. But a ton of cars develop that noise. Mine started to do it with only 4K+ miles on the oil, and I drive the car like a grandpa compared to most of you here

. Honestly rather put Redline, RP or something with FM than stock (all are 75/140 gear oil). I'm not spending $50 a freaking pint when I'm going to change the oil every 2 years at 8K miles or so. Take care.

SenorFunkyPants · 01-13-2011, 03:42 AM

Note that Castrol don't make the SAF-XJ with extra friction modifiers, its a third party formulation and that Castrol generally don't recommend extra oil changes for the SAF XJ diff oil over and above the scheduled changes.
Also the typical diff groan is more likely to appear in a lightly used car especially one that does most of its miles on the highway.

Bubbles · 01-13-2011, 07:01 AM

Nice find!

01-12-2011, 07:58 PM	#1
rzm3 Moderator Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL/TX Posts: 4,569 iTrader: (13)	Public Service Announcement: Differential Fluid I've been looking to replace the differential fluid in my car... Castrol SAF XJ 75W140 that is. Called two BMW dealers in town, last year it was only available in 55 gallon barrels, this year it is available in 0.5L quantities, but here's what I was quoted: Dealer A: $80/bottle Dealer B: $50/bottle (parts guy said this is still cheaper than bringing the car in) Luckily I googled "Castrol SAF XJ", and apparently the C63 uses the same fluid. So I called the Mercedes dealer in town and was quoted: $17/bottle End of public service announcement. P.S.: Thanks AMG Attached Images __________________ Powered by M-World / AiM Evo4 Data Logger / KW Competition 2-Way / Brembo GT 365 / Pagid Yellow RS-29 / Rear Seats Delete Previous Mods: RBM3 / StopTech 380/355 / Moton Clubsport & Street Sport / Dinan Stage 1 / H&R Sport / M-World GT4 Aero / Eisenmann Sport & Race / Akrapovic Slip-On
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01-12-2011, 08:00 PM	#2
persian54 Lieutenant General Drives: MW E93 M3/E89 Z4 35i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal Posts: 15,350 iTrader: (258)	wow no AMG mark up? Nice __________________ Next track day: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651089 Sorry I'm just someone who comes on here to fill a void..I dont have the $ to own a BMW. This is a nice E93:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434032

01-12-2011, 08:04 PM	#3
SHADY1 Hamann M3 Fan Drives: 2008 E92 Jerez Black M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Killeen, Texas Posts: 2,576 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 Coupe [4.36]	WOW.... Good Call I sure hope BMW Big Brother and its Stealerships are looking at this Thanks for the info AMG price FTW __________________ JZB,6MT, My mods 360 Forged 20inch wheels,VF540 Supercharger,Hamann CF roof spoiler,H&R springs,CF grills,Hamann rear trunk spoiler,Hamann Side Skirts, ARKYM full CF bumper, Gintani Race exhaust, AA X-pipe catless,RPI scoops,AA SSK, JZB painted side grills w/tinted markers, Arkym CF Double Sided Vented Hood,Arkym CF rear Diffuser

01-12-2011, 08:19 PM	#5
Rydawg1 Private First Class Drives: 08 E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 156 iTrader: (1)	What's the time/mileage interval for this fluid change? __________________ 08 M3 E92 DCT Silverstone Metallic II /Blk/alum trim Megan Racing exhaust mods to come...

01-12-2011, 08:42 PM	#6
rzm3 Moderator Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: IL/TX Posts: 4,569 iTrader: (13)	Per BMW, these fluids are life-long, but I would like to change them once in a while... 4.0 Oil Change Intervals Maintenance requirements per the vehicle’s Service Booklet or the respective Service Maintenance Checklist. Replacement final drives: same as for new vehicles. All models as of 9/97 production are factory-filled with synthetic rear axle oil having a long-life service rating. No oil changes are required for the life of the vehicle. __________________ Powered by M-World / AiM Evo4 Data Logger / KW Competition 2-Way / Brembo GT 365 / Pagid Yellow RS-29 / Rear Seats Delete Previous Mods: RBM3 / StopTech 380/355 / Moton Clubsport & Street Sport / Dinan Stage 1 / H&R Sport / M-World GT4 Aero / Eisenmann Sport & Race / Akrapovic Slip-On

01-12-2011, 08:13 PM	#4
ES_TRADER Colonel Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC Posts: 2,369 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2012 328i E92 [5.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [0.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [5.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	can someone pls tell me how often differential fluid has to be changed on this car? is it same everytime with engine oil? So if i wanted to change engine oil in between service like say, every 7k instead of the warranted 15k, should i change differential too?

01-12-2011, 09:25 PM	#7
Gladius Game Designer Drives: '08 E90 M3 Sparkling Graphite Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 439 iTrader: (0)	The Tech Talk guy suggests every 30k miles. That's what I did on my E46 M3. __________________ '08 E90 M3 6MT SparkG/Black

01-12-2011, 09:32 PM	#8
Krozi Deutsche Jung aus Kölle Drives: 2008 E92 ///M3 Alpine White Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoFla - Bonita Springs Posts: 2,698 iTrader: (20)	Your Diff is going to explode into a million pieces with the Mercedes branded oil :P Good deal, thanks for posting. __________________ 2008 E92 ///M3 Alpine White//Fox Red//6MT// Florida Bimmer - Join us on FaceBook!

01-12-2011, 10:03 PM	#10
08E92M3 Private Drives: E92 M3 Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dublin Posts: 94 iTrader: (0)	Is that the same fluid for the M-DCT?

01-12-2011, 11:22 PM	#14
Gkap BMF Movement Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA Posts: 2,656 iTrader: (1)	thanks for the info

01-12-2011, 11:28 PM	#15
geneatals Ninja Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) Posts: 2,946 iTrader: (2)	Isn't diff fluid also changed at the 1200 mile service? __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 AW l Black Novillo Leather \| Carbon Fiber Leather Trim \| ZCP \| ZP2 \| M-DCT \| Navigation \| Moonroof \| 6FL l Pics/Mods Retired: 2008 535i l AW l Black Dakota Leather l Bamboo Anthracite l ZPP l ZSP l 6FL

01-12-2011, 11:45 PM	#18
M GmbH Private Drives: '97 E36 M3 4Door Track Car Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dayton,OH Posts: 88 iTrader: (0)	Amsoil has a 75W-140 for $12.00. https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svo.aspx

01-13-2011, 12:17 AM	#19
flipmeraz Private First Class Drives: 10 e92 m3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: bay area Posts: 190 iTrader: (0)	If this works it'll be perfect. I work for benz and will get it cheap. __________________

01-13-2011, 03:42 AM	#21
SenorFunkyPants Major Drives: E92 DCT M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK Posts: 1,316 iTrader: (0)	Note that Castrol don't make the SAF-XJ with extra friction modifiers, its a third party formulation and that Castrol generally don't recommend extra oil changes for the SAF XJ diff oil over and above the scheduled changes. Also the typical diff groan is more likely to appear in a lightly used car especially one that does most of its miles on the highway.

01-13-2011, 07:01 AM	#22
Bubbles Green Bastard Drives: ZCP-Powered Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bishop Bend Posts: 3,523 iTrader: (3)	Nice find! __________________

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