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      01-12-2011, 06:58 PM   #1
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Arrow 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
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      01-12-2011, 07:00 PM   #2
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wow no AMG mark up?

Nice
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      01-12-2011, 07:04 PM   #3
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Thumbs up WOW.... Good Call

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


Thanks for the info AMG price FTW
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      01-12-2011, 07:13 PM   #4
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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?
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      01-12-2011, 07:19 PM   #5
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What's the time/mileage interval for this fluid change?
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      01-12-2011, 07:42 PM   #6
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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.
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      01-12-2011, 08:25 PM   #7
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The Tech Talk guy suggests every 30k miles. That's what I did on my E46 M3.
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      01-12-2011, 08:32 PM   #8
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Your Diff is going to explode into a million pieces with the Mercedes branded oil :P

Good deal, thanks for posting.
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      01-12-2011, 08:54 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
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 .
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      01-12-2011, 09:03 PM   #10
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Is that the same fluid for the M-DCT?
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      01-12-2011, 09:15 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 08E92M3 View Post
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.
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      01-12-2011, 09:28 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 08E92M3 View Post
Is that the same fluid for the M-DCT?
DCT is the TRANSMISSION. Differentials are basically identical, even if they have different gear ratios.
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      01-12-2011, 09:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc View Post
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.
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      01-12-2011, 10:22 PM   #14
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thanks for the info
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      01-12-2011, 10:28 PM   #15
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Isn't diff fluid also changed at the 1200 mile service?
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      01-12-2011, 10:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geneatals View Post
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.
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      01-12-2011, 10:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krozi View Post
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
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      01-12-2011, 10:45 PM   #18
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Amsoil has a 75W-140 for $12.00.
https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svo.aspx
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      01-12-2011, 11:17 PM   #19
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If this works it'll be perfect. I work for benz and will get it cheap.
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      01-13-2011, 01:44 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krozi View Post
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 View Post
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.
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      01-13-2011, 02:42 AM   #21
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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.
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      01-13-2011, 06:01 AM   #22
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Nice find!
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