Differential Fluid Change F10 M5

[kjdeion21]

Differential fluid change

Hey all,

When should I be changing out my differential fluid out on my car…. It's right under 65k and I did notice when raised the differential plug had a little residue build up… just wondering what a good time to change this should be…

[Blaxwil]

It depends on your driving habits as well if you're tuned or not.

My recommendations are:

Stock-
50K - 75K miles / every 10-15 oil changes. The maintenance manual says every 50K miles but depending on your driving habits, you could go 75k easily.

Tuned-
25K - 35K miles / every 5-7 oil changes

Some of the stage 2 tune and track guys change at every other oil change but I think that's a little overkill.

[kjdeion21]

Originally Posted by Blaxwil

It depends on your driving habits as well if you're tuned or not.

My recommendations are:

Stock-
50K - 75K miles / every 10-15 oil changes. The maintenance manual says every 50K miles but depending on your driving habits, you could go 75k easily.

Tuned-
25K - 35K miles / every 5-7 oil changes

Some of the stage 2 tune and track guys change at every other oil change but I think that's a little overkill.

Originally Posted by Blaxwil

It depends on your driving habits as well if you're tuned or not.

My recommendations are:

Stock-
50K - 75K miles / every 10-15 oil changes. The maintenance manual says every 50K miles but depending on your driving habits, you could go 75k easily.

Tuned-
25K - 35K miles / every 5-7 oil changes

Some of the stage 2 tune and track guys change at every other oil change but I think that's a little overkill.

Thanks sir, that makes a whole lot of sense and where I was leaning towards… now something to note - I don't run it at the track and it is my garage queen but that being said when I do take it out I run it pretty hard and haven't had issues or don't fill anything bad but I am at 64,4K mikes and I think it's time now especially since I have a stage 2 tune and been running it hard since I bought it 5k miles ago… do you agree with my assessment?

[M5_Raz]

I'd definitely recommend to do it. I do mine every 30k miles.

A transmission service would be good too, I did mine at 40k miles and it was a big difference.

[M5Rick]

BMW writes in my h/book rear diff oil change every 2nd oil change which is based on average of 12k miles a year which most of us never do. I'm on my third diff oil change which the car had at 40k just now. DCT trans oil doesn't need doing until about 75k unless driven hard most of the time.

[JDMSteven]

I purchased my 1-owner dealer serviced since new M6 at 42k miles last year and the BMW dealer performed a diff fluid service on it before they put it on the lot. Doesn't appear to have had a trans fluid service on it at any point, but in 8 months I've only put 2k miles on it and the car is stock save for cosmetics, so I probably won't do it since I plan on keeping it maybe 2 years max

[crazyinp]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

BMW writes in my h/book rear diff oil change every 2nd oil change which is based on average of 12k miles a year which most of us never do. I'm on my third diff oil change which the car had at 40k just now. DCT trans oil doesn't need doing until about 75k unless driven hard most of the time.

Which handbook are you referring to? Only one I have seen recommended every 50K miles

[kjdeion21]

Originally Posted by M5_Raz

I'd definitely recommend to do it. I do mine every 30k miles.

A transmission service would be good too, I did mine at 40k miles and it was a big difference.

Really, okay that makes a whole lot of sense... I already bought the fluid and plugs it should be easy to change myself and being that I just hit 65k I think it is time.

[kjdeion21]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

BMW writes in my h/book rear diff oil change every 2nd oil change which is based on average of 12k miles a year which most of us never do. I'm on my third diff oil change which the car had at 40k just now. DCT trans oil doesn't need doing until about 75k unless driven hard most of the time.

I know... BMW always says to do shit way earlier than normal... as an example they do a brake flush every service.. I believe that is excessive, but I think it should be done versus the people that never do it. I am going to change it this week or this weekend. Thanks!

[kjdeion21]

Originally Posted by JDMSteven

I purchased my 1-owner dealer serviced since new M6 at 42k miles last year and the BMW dealer performed a diff fluid service on it before they put it on the lot. Doesn't appear to have had a trans fluid service on it at any point, but in 8 months I've only put 2k miles on it and the car is stock save for cosmetics, so I probably won't do it since I plan on keeping it maybe 2 years max

Yeah it sounds like we are around the same mileage and I agree with you it would be good to do... I know this may be a hard question to answer but since you didnt really drive it before you may not notice a difference... do you?

[kjdeion21]

TO everyone on here:

Any differences after the change... besides it being good for the car I am just curious as to the difference you all may feel.

[kjdeion21]

Yes exactly... I think it told me every 30k, but it really doesn't need to be done till 60k-75k depending on the mileage, but I have been driving my car hard since purchase at 58k to 65k and I know it needs it and with the HP I am running it may be smart too. I bought it and it will go in this week!!!!

[kjdeion21]

Originally Posted by Blaxwil

It depends on your driving habits as well if you're tuned or not.

My recommendations are:

Stock-
50K - 75K miles / every 10-15 oil changes. The maintenance manual says every 50K miles but depending on your driving habits, you could go 75k easily.

Tuned-
25K - 35K miles / every 5-7 oil changes

Some of the stage 2 tune and track guys change at every other oil change but I think that's a little overkill.

I am with your numbers totally... I bought the car at 58k, and changed everything and added all that HP around 60k-62k and been driving it and it now just crossed 65k (although it is not my daily), I think it is time since I been roll racing in Mexico on the weekends... fluid and plugs are purhcased and it will go in this week.

[kjdeion21]

I changed the DIFF fluid and the existing did not look bad but the car drives and shifts like a dream, for sure a game changer!