[chicagox7]

Naive question. Is the issue more likely the fluid or the part itself? Trying to think through how I might approach this on a ‘23.

[itiongo]

Originally Posted by chicagox7

Naive question. Is the issue more likely the fluid or the part itself? Trying to think through how I might approach this on a ‘23.

If you start feeling the acceleration stuttering, change the fluid right away(only do this if you are out of new car warranty). If the issue is still there after 125miles of driving, then the transfer case needs to be changed.

[ledphut]

For all those still within their 50K factory warranty: If you feel the shuddering in the driveline, make an appointment at your local dealership and tell them you heard about the TSB for the transfer case. They will be forced to go through the protocol of changing fluid, driving for 125 miles, and replacing the case if the issue persists. It’s covered under the 50K powertrain warranty.

[X7Oatmeal]

So will the shudder still be there while driving the 125 miles?

If so and it doesn’t go away after the miles, then that’s when the transfer case has to be replaced?

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

So will the shudder still be there while driving the 125 miles?

If so and it doesn’t go away after the miles, then that’s when the transfer case has to be replaced?

according to the tsb, as you drive after the fluid change, the new fluid saturates the clutch plates and the shuddering should decrease. by 125 miles it should be gone completely if the transfer case isnt toast.
if its still shuddering after the fluid change and 125 miles, the transfer case needs to be replaced.

[X7Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

according to the tsb, as you drive after the fluid change, the new fluid saturates the clutch plates and the shuddering should decrease. by 125 miles it should be gone completely if the transfer case isnt toast.
if its still shuddering after the fluid change and 125 miles, the transfer case needs to be replaced.

Thanks

I’m getting transfer case fluid changed tomorrow and hopefully it corrects the issue. The dealer for whatever reason wants to replace the transfer case instead of the fluid first.

[Tinbad]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

Thanks

I’m getting transfer case fluid changed tomorrow and hopefully it corrects the issue. The dealer for whatever reason wants to replace the transfer case instead of the fluid first.

If they are replacing the whole thing might as well let them!!

[X7Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Tinbad

If they are replacing the whole thing might as well let them!!

I would if I was still under warranty.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

I would if I was still under warranty.

see if they will do a good will repair. since this is a known failure point, likely to get it covered or at least a big chunk covered.

[lumbrjackedpcj]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Since the fluid appears to be used across the board on multiple models…here’s some screen shots from realoem.com (online part database site). Although these sites have stopped updating since the end of 2019/early 2020 model years…you can still use this site to pull up part nbrs then call your local BMW dealership’s parts department to VERIFY if your BMW uses the same part, or if the part number has been succeeded by a new part number.

Here’s the transfer case, front diff, and rear diff info:

Appreciate it, thank you. This confirms my suspicions that the M50i rear diff was different than the 40i and required different oil.

[X7Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

see if they will do a good will repair. since this is a known failure point, likely to get it covered or at least a big chunk covered.

I reached out to my sales guy to see what he can do but no response. Not really expecting a response.

So I reached out to BMWNA over the weekend and got a response today saying they will call me in 1-5 days.

[Orient330iNYC]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

I reached out to my sales guy to see what he can do but no response. Not really expecting a response.

So I reached out to BMWNA over the weekend and got a response today saying they will call me in 1-5 days.

Service advisor/manager would be the route to go for a goodwill repair.

[chicagox7]

Originally Posted by itiongo

If you start feeling the acceleration stuttering, change the fluid right away(only do this if you are out of new car warranty). If the issue is still there after 125miles of driving, then the transfer case needs to be changed.

Thanks for that.

More curious as to what folks think the root cause is. Is the issue the fluid isn’t sufficient or needs to be changed more frequently (or not filled up when delivered) OR is it that the parts they use tend to break (dare I say are sub standard)?

If the fluids- then easy to get them changed/filled more frequently. If the parts are the bigger issue- then I can figure out if the ‘23 40i has different part numbers than the most impacted and not worry as much about the fluid.

The answer could very well be no one knows (or bit of both); figured I’d ask anyway in case anyone had an idea.

[itiongo]

According to my BMW service, they have not replaced a transfer case for any X7s. Replacing the fluid has resolved the issue. They also mentioned that the person who reported the vehicle may need the transfer case fluid replaced is the service technician who is doing a simple oil change, or the driver who drives the vehicle out for a car wash. The owner's don't even notice the stuttering.

[Tinbad]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

I would if I was still under warranty.

Ahh typical dealer BS: if it’s on their dime they will tell you to replace fluid and the problem will go away. If the customer is paying, only solution is to replace entire TC.

[X7Oatmeal]

Just had my transfer case fluid changed at an Indy shop and the shudder is gone. Hopefully it stays that way.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

Just had my transfer case fluid changed at an Indy shop and the shudder is gone. Hopefully it stays that way.

Just put about 400 miles so far no issues, now just going to drive it normal and complain before my next 600 miles which will hit 50,000

[X7Oatmeal]

How often would u guys replace the fluid?

[ledphut]

Originally Posted by Tinbad

Ahh typical dealer BS: if it’s on their dime they will tell you to replace fluid and the problem will go away. If the customer is paying, only solution is to replace entire TC.

Technically BMWNA pays them for any warranty work they perform, so they love swapping out the transfer cases. Brought the Alpina in last month for a clicking noise in the steering rack and they replaced the whole thing along with some other stuff to the tune of about $14K. I didn’t pay a penny.

[DishoomX2]

I came across these for videos for front diff replacement for G05 X5 M50i. The first video sheds some light on the issue -- metal shavings, gear noise, and bearing play. Both videos show the considerable effort to replace a bad one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oLNfIbLYP4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvVMIpl-yPA

[admranger]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

How often would u guys replace the fluid?

I'm going to do it about every 30k miles. Overkill? Most likely, but I DIY. My time is free since I'm retired.

[Madsen203]

Originally Posted by X7Oatmeal

How often would u guys replace the fluid?

I’m with admranger and will do it around 25k. However, I am just considering replacing a small amount of fluid with each oil change for the TC (as I can only get about 200ml out at a time). I’ll do the differentials at 10k intervals because FCP warranty exchange is cheap.