Differential making noise = Fluid Change

[MNm3]

I just had my car into BMW for service because I was hearing a noise when I was making sharp turns at low speeds. It was almost like a rubbing noise.

I took a BMW tech out for a drive and of cousrse could barely make the noise with him in it. But he ended up figuring it out anyways.

Come to find out that the M Diff wasn't completely broken in (The car has 13k miles on it so I find that hard to believe). So they changed the differential fluid with a different kind and now the noise is no more. The dealership said that BMW has sent out a service bulletin on the matter.

Has anyone else ran into this with their M3s?

[MNm3]

After reading through a few other threads, it sounds like BMW may not have changed my Diff fluid at the 1200 mark. Is this going to adversely affect my car in the long run?

[WillC310]

Does your 1200mi service record show no diff fluid change? I would check to see if it does, and if so, what fluid they used. Chances are they just used the diff fluid that doesn't have the booster in it that prevents the noise. Most dealerships don't carry/use the fluid with the booster in it for some lame reason.

[JMAT]

i have this exact same noise. its a faint clunk almost like rubbing at low speed turns exactly like you say. You can almost feel the clunk when it happens.

what is the name of the diff fluid that has the booster in it?

[artifice]

It is the way LSD's are... They just put some other additive or oil in to make it less noisy or bouncy. Your car will be fine.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by WillC310

Does your 1200mi service record show no diff fluid change? I would check to see if it does, and if so, what fluid they used. Chances are they just used the diff fluid that doesn't have the booster in it that prevents the noise. Most dealerships don't carry/use the fluid with the booster in it for some lame reason.

Most dealerships don't carry the differential fluid with the FM boosters because it costs at least 3 times more than the standard cheap differential fluid.

As usual, it comes down to money.

[shendrick]

I had the same issue from day 1. Dealer added the FM Booster and it got a lot better. New M3 LSDs make a lot of noise otherwise. However, I would not do what the dealer said - which was to drive in tight circles 5 times one way and then 5 time the other - since I think its better to just let the LSD break in slowly.

[MNm3]

No idea what it is called. Whatever they did though, the noise is no longer.

[GASTONNK]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Most dealerships don't carry the differential fluid with the FM boosters because it costs at least 3 times more than the standard cheap differential fluid.

As usual, it comes down to money.

Could you please tell me the name or brand?
My dealership doesnt know about this issue beacuse is the only M3 they have.
Please, help me.
There is any specifications?

Regards
Gaston

[Empower3d]

Mine developed the same noise. Came from the right rear. The diff fluid change w/ extra additive fixed it. The dealership didn't have stock (or any dealerships in the area), so they ordered it and it came in after a week.

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by MNm3

I just had my car into BMW for service because I was hearing a noise when I was making sharp turns at low speeds. It was almost like a rubbing noise.

I took a BMW tech out for a drive and of cousrse could barely make the noise with him in it. But he ended up figuring it out anyways.

Come to find out that the M Diff wasn't completely broken in (The car has 13k miles on it so I find that hard to believe). So they changed the differential fluid with a different kind and now the noise is no more. The dealership said that BMW has sent out a service bulletin on the matter.

Has anyone else ran into this with their M3s?

yes and because of this forum i was able to quickly resolve the issue at the dealer. they changed differential fluid that contained an additive whatever that was and the problem dissapeared.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by GASTONNK

Could you please tell me the name or brand?
My dealership doesnt know about this issue beacuse is the only M3 they have.
Please, help me.
There is any specifications?

Regards
Gaston

SAF-XJ + FM Booster, part #83222282583

That stuff cost about $30.00 a liter and it requires 3 liters. So most dealerships will play dumb and say they never heard of it nor will they stock it.

[haze gray]

Why would they play dumb? Isn't the car under warranty and the cost passed along to BMWNA?

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

That stuff cost about $30.00 a liter and it requires 3 liters.

The right amount is 1.25L . Maybe you meant that you have to buy 3 liters at a time, which is indeed true.
I actually used about 1.4L after draining it overnight, and spilling a little when full (can't prevent that). Bottom line is you can do TWO differential oil changes with 3 liters, but since most dealers won't use the expensive oil unless squealing is severe, I opted to use Royal Purple Maxgear 75/140 instead (same spec as stock), and problem solved. And yes, I do my own maintenance .

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

The right amount is 1.25L . Maybe you meant that you have to buy 3 liters at a time, which is indeed true.
I actually used about 1.4L after draining it overnight, and spilling a little when full (can't prevent that). Bottom line is you can do TWO differential oil changes with 3 liters, but since most dealers won't use the expensive oil unless squealing is severe, I opted to use Royal Purple Maxgear 75/140 instead (same spec as stock), and problem solved. And yes, I do my own maintenance .

Thanks. Yes, I meant to say that the lube comes in half liter bottles, and 3 are needed. And I see each liter now costs about $40.00 each.