Diff Fluid - Changed at 1,200 miles?

[MDORPHN]

Does anyone know whether the diff fluid is changed or simply topped off at the 1,200 mile service?

My dealer is advising me that is only topped off.

Thanks.

Neil

[quarkmaschine]

Definitely changed, as well as the transmission oil.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by quarkmaschine

Definitely changed, as well as the transmission oil.

Tranny oil - currently unobtanium by US dealers -- is no longer changed at 1,200 mile service. Subject of separate thread which has reprint of BMWNA's technical service bulletin on this issue.

But I'm really looking for info on differential.

Thanks.

Neil

[Dan Parker]

I would demand it be changed. It's an M car!
Diffs are expensive and diff fluid is cheap. It's standard practice to change it and this is the first I've ever heard of "topping it off." Diffs don't typically use fluid and require a "top off."

[Dackelone]

The diff fluid should be changed at 1,200 mile service. IF your dealer is that inep, just do it yourself.

I would also make sure they do an engine oil change with the BMW Castrol oil (5w30, The N54/N55 engine oil) and make sure they don't use the M (Castrol TWS) motor oil!

Manual trans fluid should be changed but BMW is apperently not doing it now bc they hvae very little of the correct oil on hand (MTF-LT-5). Someone posted you can use Pentison trans oil sold thru Porsche dealer - since it is the very same oil.


Dackel

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The diff fluid should be changed at 1,200 mile service. IF your dealer is that inep, just do it yourself.

I would also make sure they do an engine oil change with the BMW Castrol oil (5w30, The N54/N55 engine oil) and make sure they don't use the M (Castrol TWS) motor oil!

Manual trans fluid should be changed but BMW is apperently not doing it now bc they hvae very little of the correct oil on hand (MTF-LT-5). Someone posted you can use Pentison trans oil sold thru Porsche dealer - since it is the very same oil.


Dackel

Dan and Dackel -

Thanks.

Just got off phone for second time with dealer and they have now changed the diff fluid. They did use BMW Castrol 5w30 for motor.

Feeling relieved since I'm heading to track this weekend.

Neil

[Franklin Joseph]

Make sure they add the boosters.

Have fun at the track (and post your review)

[fastauto]

they should change it and make sure they add the diff modifier fluid.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by fastauto

they should change it and make sure they add the diff modifier fluid.

Why would BMW dealer add a friction modifier (ie monkey slime) to the diff fluid? Does the 1M trans really chatter that much? ???

[badwolf340]

My car is in dealership as we speak for 1st service ,engine oil/filter ,gearbox oil and diff oil change and some warranty work to be done

[DriveHard]

The modifier is for only a diff that is chattering on tight turns.. adding it is not automatic.

It does work BTW .....once the diff chatters, if at all... has a lot to do with driving style..

[Franklin Joseph]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

The modifier is for only a diff that is chattering on tight turns.. adding it is not automatic.

It does work BTW .....once the diff chatters, if at all... has a lot to do with driving style..

thanks for clearing this up. thought it was an automatic add-on with the diff fluid.

[fastauto]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Why would BMW dealer add a friction modifier (ie monkey slime) to the diff fluid? Does the 1M trans really chatter that much? ???

mine did and it was real bad. i had my 1300 mile service done and shortly after the diff was so loud it was starting to make me nervous. the diff had been silent since i picked up the car and only after the service did it get loud. I took it back, they added the fluid and now it was back to like it was on day 1. not adding the modifier to the diff will not ruin the diff but since bmw will do this free of charge i would ask them to do so anyways as i spent a day at the dealer that i rather have spent at the beach.

[Red135]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Manual trans fluid should be changed but BMW is apperently not doing it now bc they hvae very little of the correct oil on hand (MTF-LT-5). Someone posted you can use Pentison trans oil sold thru Porsche dealer - since it is the very same oil.


Dackel

Or they are following the Service and Warranty Information booklet to the letter which states that only the standard transmission in the M3 needs to be changed.

"All 1 Series M Coupe vehicles and only M3 vehicles with the optional M- DCT Drivelogic transmission have a long-term rated transmission fluid which does not need to be changed except for system repairs." (Page 6)

[fastauto]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

The modifier is for only a diff that is chattering on tight turns.. adding it is not automatic.

It does work BTW .....once the diff chatters, if at all... has a lot to do with driving style..

while driving it was fine. I park my car in a 3 story parking garage and when driving slow making sharp right hand turns to go up the levels the sound was bad. Other than that, under normal driving conditions it was fine.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by fastauto

while driving it was fine. I park my car in a 3 story parking garage and when driving slow making sharp right hand turns to go up the levels the sound was bad. Other than that, under normal driving conditions it was fine.

Yes, most LSD's will make some chatter noises when pulling a U-turn or tight turns. That doesn't mean the LSD unit is bad or anything. Just that it is working.

The LSD friction additive is there to quiet the LSD of this chatter noise. I would rather hear that noise than not.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Yes, most LSD's will make some chatter noises when pulling a U-turn or tight turns. That doesn't mean the LSD unit is bad or anything. Just that it is working.

The LSD friction additive is there to quiet the LSD of this chatter noise. I would rather hear that noise than not.

+1 With Dack... The diff is doing its job, its just that you can hear it do its job on full lock or near full lock slow turns..

M3 diffs have been changed in the past, but not really decause of the low speed chatter... Now if you get noise / vibration / chatter at High speed in a nice sweet sweeper.....well now you have issues

If it were me, i would leave the modifier out as long as i could.. just my .02

[fastauto]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Yes, most LSD's will make some chatter noises when pulling a U-turn or tight turns. That doesn't mean the LSD unit is bad or anything. Just that it is working.

The LSD friction additive is there to quiet the LSD of this chatter noise. I would rather hear that noise than not.

of course it does not mean that the lsd is broken. I too like the feedback from the sound of the diff. The additive does not remove the sound all together but dampens it. you can still hear it however it is not nearly as loud as it is without it. for my tastes i think its better with than without

[Redadair]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Tranny oil - currently unobtanium by US dealers -- is no longer changed at 1,200 mile service. Subject of separate thread which has reprint of BMWNA's technical service bulletin on this issue.

Neil

Do you have the link to this discussion and Tech Bulletin?

I searched but couldn't find it.

Thanks

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Redadair

Do you have the link to this discussion and Tech Bulletin?

I searched but couldn't find it.

Thanks

You can thank "DriveHard" for his post#73... TSB SI B00 01 10

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...TF-LT-5&page=4



Here is his post...

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Not to add insult to injury......

BMW just released a new bulletin basically stating the following: ( released 6/9/2011) late in the day !!



Transmission MTF LT5 Fluid Not Available and SI B00 01 10 Changes.

The manual transmission fluid does not need to be changed at the 1200 Mile Service. However, future fluid replacements will coincide with those of the rear axle differential oil. Refer to SI B00 10 10 for additional details pertaining to required service. Do not substitute MTF LT5 fluid with any other fluid; when it is available in 3-4 weeks, we will provide a follow-up DCS message. No premature wear will occur to the manual transmission if the fluid is not changed at the 1200 mile service.We apologize for this inconvenience.



FYI.... The future fluid replacements that coincide with the rear axel differential fluid will occur at EVERY 3rd OIL SERVICE



So It appears as though BMW recanted their requirment for this Transmission fluid break-in service requirment. ( not really a bad thing in the grand scheam of things IMHO)

I would guess once fluid becomes available enthusists will do it on there own anyway. ( hopefully fluid will not be $$$$$$$$)

will update as soon as i hear anything else..

PS: you might want to read thru that entire thread... it is VERY interesting.

Dackel