Diff oil

Mike-Bracknell · 03-19-2011, 04:28 AM

When I used to race an E30 in the PBMWC, I changed the rear diff oil which made a lot of difference to the gearchange and smoothness of the car.

Should I be doing the same in my E90 road car? I have a gearchange, especially between 1st & 2nd when cold that's not exactly 'easy' all the time, and whilst it's not a problem I wondered if replacing the diff oil would do me any favours anyway?

Cheers,
Mike.

JaySTee · 03-19-2011, 05:31 AM

I'm gonna replace my gearbox oil soon and may do the diff as well. Have a look at the Opie Oils website to see what they reccomend or give them a bell - they are very helpful. I'm going to put Redline MTL in the 'box. How many miles has yours done?

Here's a thread I started on it but got no replies

Link

This is what they recommend for BMW open diffs:Link

And for the manual 'box: Link

Mike-Bracknell · 03-19-2011, 07:17 AM

It's on 47k miles and is a manual. It sounds like they're not 'sealed for life' then?

JaySTee · 03-19-2011, 10:13 AM

As far as I'm aware BMW say you do not need to change the oil and it is not in their normal service schedule, but like any gearbox they have a fill and a drain plug and as mine has done 75k miles of changing gear/metal to metal contact I think it would be worth changing.

I think the diffs only have a fill/level plug so you have to suck the oil out rather than drain it....

03-19-2011, 04:28 AM	#1
Mike-Bracknell Private 4 Rep 51 Posts Drives: '07 E90 M-Sport 320d Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bracknell, Berks, UK iTrader: (0)	Diff oil When I used to race an E30 in the PBMWC, I changed the rear diff oil which made a lot of difference to the gearchange and smoothness of the car. Should I be doing the same in my E90 road car? I have a gearchange, especially between 1st & 2nd when cold that's not exactly 'easy' all the time, and whilst it's not a problem I wondered if replacing the diff oil would do me any favours anyway? Cheers, Mike.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-19-2011, 05:31 AM	#2
JaySTee First Lieutenant 15 Rep 390 Posts Drives: E91 320d SE Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	I'm gonna replace my gearbox oil soon and may do the diff as well. Have a look at the Opie Oils website to see what they reccomend or give them a bell - they are very helpful. I'm going to put Redline MTL in the 'box. How many miles has yours done? Here's a thread I started on it but got no replies Link This is what they recommend for BMW open diffs:Link And for the manual 'box: Link __________________ Last edited by JaySTee; 03-19-2011 at 05:38 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-19-2011, 07:17 AM	#3
Mike-Bracknell Private 4 Rep 51 Posts Drives: '07 E90 M-Sport 320d Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bracknell, Berks, UK iTrader: (0)	It's on 47k miles and is a manual. It sounds like they're not 'sealed for life' then?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-19-2011, 10:13 AM	#4
JaySTee First Lieutenant 15 Rep 390 Posts Drives: E91 320d SE Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	As far as I'm aware BMW say you do not need to change the oil and it is not in their normal service schedule, but like any gearbox they have a fill and a drain plug and as mine has done 75k miles of changing gear/metal to metal contact I think it would be worth changing. I think the diffs only have a fill/level plug so you have to suck the oil out rather than drain it.... __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote