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      11-10-2019, 07:26 PM   #1
Westies
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35i front differential going out

Hey all,

as the title says, my front differential is going out.

For the last few thousand miles, I've had a whining noise that increased with speed and engine load and can be heard with either side window down, which led me to believe it was the front diff or transfer case. The indy shop was hopeful (and said it was more likely) that is was a front wheel bearing, but confirmed that it is indeed the differential.

The car was CPO and now has 76.5k miles. Both differentials and transfer case fluids were done at 60k miles at a well respected indy shop using OEM fluids. I have every service record since purchased at 15k miles. I have only ever run the stock tire size 225/40 & 255/35, or a square 235/45 setup.

It's currently at the dealer so I can try and get BMWNA to goodwill it. Both the dealer and BMWNA customer service rep I spoke to sounded hopeful (without promises, of course). Dealer quoted $4500, while indy shop came in at $3400.

Worst case scenario, if they won't pay for any of the repair, I may end up finding a used diff and doing it myself. Not excited if I have to do that.

Has anyone else had the front diff go out, or had any similar work goodwilled by BMWNA? if so what miles were you at?

I was literally three weeks away from paying off this car and going FBO before this
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      11-10-2019, 10:00 PM   #2
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Harsh man, as a fellow Seatteite with a similar ride all I can do is offer sympathy. Let us know what happens. I love my X1 to death and I think it would honestly take more than that for me to bail. What indie are you using?
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      11-13-2019, 06:00 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicone View Post
Harsh man, as a fellow Seatteite with a similar ride all I can do is offer sympathy. Let us know what happens. I love my X1 to death and I think it would honestly take more than that for me to bail. What indie are you using?
Thank you, I'll definitely post an update- should hear back with BMWNA's decision in the next day or two. I'm definitely not bailing on it, it's been a really great car. Just unfortunate timing. At least after this it shouldn't need any major work for quite some time.

I use South Lake European, off Rainier Ave in Renton. I would definitely recommend them if you're looking for an indy shop!
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      11-25-2019, 08:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westies View Post
Thank you, I'll definitely post an update- should hear back with BMWNA's decision in the next day or two. I'm definitely not bailing on it, it's been a really great car. Just unfortunate timing. At least after this it shouldn't need any major work for quite some time.

I use South Lake European, off Rainier Ave in Renton. I would definitely recommend them if you're looking for an indy shop!

What ever happened?
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      11-26-2019, 12:59 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by SharpAndCunning View Post
What ever happened?
The car is at the dealer, should be done tomorrow. Long story short, BMWNA covered (or rather, had the dealership discount it) 20% off the total cost at warranty rate, so it went from $4500 (retail book rate) to roughly $2300.

And I got an M340i as a loaner
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      11-26-2019, 08:33 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westies View Post
The car is at the dealer, should be done tomorrow. Long story short, BMWNA covered (or rather, had the dealership discount it) 20% off the total cost at warranty rate, so it went from $4500 (retail book rate) to roughly $2300.

And I got an M340i as a loaner
Cool about the loaner, but damn... thats rough about the differential.

Were they able to figure out why it let go?
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      11-26-2019, 12:53 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpAndCunning View Post
Cool about the loaner, but damn... thats rough about the differential.

Were they able to figure out why it let go?
BMW knows those bearings are wrong for the front diff.

Somebody said straight rollers instead of beveled.
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      11-28-2019, 01:35 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 0w40X1 View Post
BMW knows those bearings are wrong for the front diff.

Somebody said straight rollers instead of beveled.
I had the same problem with my E84, almost one year ago. I choose to repair the diff, not to replace it. For now, everything seems to be fine but only from exterior cause 2 weeks ago I decided to inspect the whole car as I changed timing chain, everything from articulations and direction, basically inspected and repaired whole car where something seems to have any kind of small problem.
But the surprise came from the front diff, the one which was repaired less than a year ago. Oil was completely black with a pretty big quantity of filings in it.
So, for the moment, I have no noise but more than sure will die again. Especially in the next period when I have to drive around the country, more than 3000Km and at least half of the distance will be up and down on mountain roads...

Question: Using straight rollers will solve the issue? Do you have any confirmation on this? Thanks
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      11-28-2019, 06:46 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SharpAndCunning View Post
Cool about the loaner, but damn... thats rough about the differential.

Were they able to figure out why it let go?
They are moving quite slow, so I do not have the car back (and haven't been able to speak about the specifics)- but based on the loud whining I feel it's safe to say a bad bearing(s).

Definitely rough, but it beats having the car out of commission for like 2 weeks or more to do it myself.
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      01-10-2020, 12:48 AM   #10
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Update: got the car back (a while ago, actually) and all is smooth and quiet again. Now I can get to installing speed parts!
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      02-22-2022, 03:26 PM   #11
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UPDATE: I'm getting a little tired of the drivetrain in this car. Now the rear diff went out at 83k miles. BMWNA refused to pay anything. Decided to throw a used diff out of a wrecked car with 40k miles on it. Will probably rebuild the old one and keep it for when this diff inevitably quits.
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      02-23-2022, 07:26 PM   #12
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was there any hint or noise associated prior to the failure?
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      02-24-2022, 08:46 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Botlfed98 View Post
was there any hint or noise associated prior to the failure?
Yes, it made a whining noise, which progressively got louder- not near as quickly/loudly as the front diff when it went though. I also noticed a slight vibration with the rear.
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      02-26-2022, 04:37 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westies View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Botlfed98 View Post
was there any hint or noise associated prior to the failure?
Yes, it made a whining noise, which progressively got louder- not near as quickly/loudly as the front diff when it went though. I also noticed a slight vibration with the rear.
Interesting. My '12 28i had the recall done for the software update. Immediately as I drove away from the dealer triggered a 4x4 light on the dash. Transfer case gone.

I'm going to swap in a low mileage unit. Not paying for new parts as I just did my timing chain last year
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