E90 /91 Differential failure

Laskasasha · 08-05-2016, 01:21 PM

Hi,

Just replaced the turbos on my 335i and now the diff has failed..grumbling bearings. BMW have also confirmed that the car is on its second diff because the failure is not covered under wanranty due to the car having a recon unit fitted. So that means the car with 64k will be on its third diff - is this uncommon or are the regular diff failures on the 335i.

Laskasasha · 08-13-2016, 04:22 AM

...and £2.2k later I have a new Diff fitted...

Phil325i · 08-13-2016, 08:33 AM

I'm on my second diff (325i with 64K). Diff changed at 16K, fortunately under warranty. If you read Mike Miller's treatise on BMW maintenance, you'll learn that BMW diffs have been getting smaller (less oil capacity) and now include some plastic components

. One reason I change my diff fluid every 30K...

surrey 335i · 08-13-2016, 09:51 AM

how do you change the diff fluid they are sealed diffs on most E90's?

Rustymage · 08-13-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surrey 335i

how do you change the diff fluid they are sealed diffs on most E90's?

Garages use a sucky bottle with a hose that sucks out all the oil. Then refill till it just leaks out of the plug.

Calluhan · 08-14-2016, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surrey 335i

how do you change the diff fluid they are sealed diffs on most E90's?

Take a look in my thread here. Very easy to DIY.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...1105836&page=5

bishbosh · 08-16-2016, 04:18 AM

Are these diffs made of chocolate or something? My diff is on 162k miles and not a whine to be heard. Ok it's a 320d so not as much torque going through it as a 335i but IMO no car should be on it's 3rd diff at 64k miles.

Dann · 08-16-2016, 04:49 AM

If I had to replace the diff on mine, no way would I be putting a normal one back in.
You should have taken the opportunity to repalce it with a LSD

Kev_G · 08-16-2016, 03:11 PM

My car has just hit 123k and the diff is whining

mjn77 · 08-17-2016, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_G

My car has just hit 123k and the diff is whining

If its whining it'll probably be the bearings. Have you seen what the oil looks like? When mine went on my E46, the oil looked like mercury, full of metal shavings. To have refurbed with LSD internals and new bearings was £2.2k IIRC. The bearings alone were £400 plus labour.

Laskasasha · 08-20-2016, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dann

If I had to replace the diff on mine, no way would I be putting a normal one back in.
You should have taken the opportunity to repalce it with a LSD

Dan - you are right, I should have. Its noticeable the difference of a LSD on my E30 M3. However, it was in bits in my dealers and I didn't have time to mess about sorting that so it was a stock BMW diff that went back in.

Laskasasha · 08-20-2016, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_G

My car has just hit 123k and the diff is whining

Kev,

Not sure where you are located but there is a transmission specialist near to me called BK Transmission and they are in Overton, Hampshire. They would strip and replace all the bearings for £500. However when I enquired about my whining diff it was already in parts in my BMW dealer and I took the easy (more expensive) option. What you need to be wary of is that if the whine is from the crown wheel or pinion wheel then those are not parts (so I was told) that are available separately and if it is those then its a replacement diff as opposed to the bearings. Have you checked the fluid?

08-05-2016, 01:21 PM	#1
Laskasasha E30 M3 Driver 1 Rep 41 Posts Drives: E91 335i MSport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Basingstoke, England iTrader: (0)	E90 /91 Differential failure Hi, Just replaced the turbos on my 335i and now the diff has failed..grumbling bearings. BMW have also confirmed that the car is on its second diff because the failure is not covered under wanranty due to the car having a recon unit fitted. So that means the car with 64k will be on its third diff - is this uncommon or are the regular diff failures on the 335i.
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08-13-2016, 04:22 AM	#2
Laskasasha E30 M3 Driver 1 Rep 41 Posts Drives: E91 335i MSport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Basingstoke, England iTrader: (0)	...and £2.2k later I have a new Diff fitted...
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08-13-2016, 08:33 AM	#3
Phil325i Brigadier General 639 Rep 3,216 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	I'm on my second diff (325i with 64K). Diff changed at 16K, fortunately under warranty. If you read Mike Miller's treatise on BMW maintenance, you'll learn that BMW diffs have been getting smaller (less oil capacity) and now include some plastic components . One reason I change my diff fluid every 30K... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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08-13-2016, 09:51 AM	#4
surrey 335i Lieutenant 22 Rep 450 Posts Drives: 335i E91 sport, 123d + others Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: surrey iTrader: (1)	how do you change the diff fluid they are sealed diffs on most E90's?
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08-16-2016, 04:18 AM	#7
bishbosh Colonel 982 Rep 2,162 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	Are these diffs made of chocolate or something? My diff is on 162k miles and not a whine to be heard. Ok it's a 320d so not as much torque going through it as a 335i but IMO no car should be on it's 3rd diff at 64k miles. __________________ if I've helped - an Appreciate would be, er, very appreciated!
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08-16-2016, 04:49 AM	#8
Dann Major 131 Rep 1,374 Posts Drives: E90 LCi 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Portsmouth, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	If I had to replace the diff on mine, no way would I be putting a normal one back in. You should have taken the opportunity to repalce it with a LSD __________________ My Individual E90 LCI 335i
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08-16-2016, 03:11 PM	#9
Kev_G Private 1 Rep 54 Posts Drives: non Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: . iTrader: (0)	My car has just hit 123k and the diff is whining
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