BANG!!! And now I'm stranded in Virginia Beach, VA

[1320racer]

I was accelerating from 20 mph and then I heard a big BANG!!! Not sure if the rear differential went, but I'm stranded on Laskin Rd, in Virginia Beach. I'm on vacation and I am 4.5 hours from home—Silver Spring, MD. This is not an ideal situation.

Being towed to https://bmw.checkeredflag.com/ Checkered Flag BMW. Does anyone know anything good or bad about this dealer? Is there another place better in this area? Is there a top tier BMW independent? Chime in if you have suggestions.

I'll let you know how things turn out. I replaced rear diff fluid just before 50k miles and the car now has 92k miles.

[mike@x-ph.com]

im sorry to hear that

[1320racer]

So far it seems I've snapped the driveshaft just before it connects to rear diff, rear diff support, rear diff support bolt. This likely happened due to the rear differential failure/lockup. I'll do a bit more digging.

[1320racer]

Pics get to 3% then stop. I have full signal (all bars) on mobile?

Update: I had to add the pics one-by-one

[Doctor_X]

You likely broke the diff mount and sheared the bolt, which then snapped the driveline.

I’m betting your diff is fine. Make sure they check the axles too - as they’re commonly a casualty after the diff mount failure.

Excellent post for those who are making power and still running the stock diff mount. If and when it fails, it takes the driveline and axles with it. While not low cost, a billet unit pays for itself.

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by Doctor_X

You likely broke the diff mount and sheared the bolt, which then snapped the driveline.

I'm betting your diff is fine. Make sure they check the axles too - as they're commonly a casualty after the diff mount failure.

Excellent post for those who are making power and still running the stock diff mount. If and when it fails, it takes the driveline and axles with it. While not low cost, a billet unit pays for itself.

Thanks for the good suggestions Doctor_X. I will check into the axles and upgraded diff mount.

[Doctor_X]

Of course. GAW and RK both make billet options. They’re in the realm of $1500 per unit. RK often has sales as well. GAW had a group buy on FB for $1350, might be one spot left! See first link. Good luck.

https://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1826234

https://www.rkautowerks.com/index.ph...et-diff-mount/

[1320racer]

Yes, I am now looking into the best current price or group buy for diff mount. Thanks for the info and providing links as well

[1320racer]

My vehicle is finally back in MD. Once it is repaired I’ll send an update.

[1320racer]

The diff’s internals are shot (metal pieces in diff fluid) diff support and fasteners are shot, drive shaft is broken along with the connecting universal joint-like connection to the diff. Thank God—the axles are fine.

Parts began arriving already and all parts should arrive by late next week. I just installed new plugs and coils and was going to install DPs too. I’ve decided to have the shop install the downpipes while at this shop since they are already dropping the exhaust system and are only charging me ~$300. That’s totally worth it for me as I am extremely busy with work and have been planning/getting things ready for a getaway for my 25th wedding anniversary (Oct 5).

I expect things to die down a bit and have the car back on the road by mid October. Reach out if you are in the DMV and want to take a fall cruise!!!

Aries’ shop is doing the work and is 2 for 2 in getting the repairs covered by my warranty company AFTER BEING TURNED DOWN originally by another indi shop and Checked Flag BMW in VA Beach…

Prestige Automotive Solutions
7511 Rickenbacker Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Phone: (301) 977-9700
Owner: Aries

[Doctor_X]

Damn! Sorry to hear!

[TinCanSailor]

Ooooof, hits ya in the feels to hear that about these car but glad to hear you have a good shop advocating for you with the warranty.

Happy 25th to you and yours. I just crossed 23 years in September. What kind of adventure are you planning? I am thinking about that 25 year celebration now and could use some ideas.

[chris_mauck]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

I was accelerating from 20 mph and then I heard a big BANG!!! Not sure if the rear differential went, but I'm stranded on Laskin Rd, in Virginia Beach. Yes, I'm on vacation and I am 4.5 hours from home—Silver Spring, MD. This is not an ideal situation.

Being towed to https://bmw.checkeredflag.com/ Checkered Flag BMW. Does anyone know anything good or bad about this dealer? Is there another place better in this area? Is there a top tier BMW independent? Chime in if you have suggestions.

I'll let you know how things turn out. I replaced rear diff fluid just before 50k miles and the car now has 92k miles.

What kind of power levels/tune were you running? This is making me consider doing the billet diff mount as I'm going to BM3 stage 2 soon.

[TinCanSailor]

Originally Posted by chris_mauck

What kind of power levels/tune were you running? This is making me consider doing the billet diff mount as I'm going to BM3 stage 2 soon.

After I read it I started looking for a group buy or sale. I won't be driving mine for about a month and half due to work and am hoping to catch a black friday/cyber monday sale. If I was driving on the regular though it would be a top priority for me. I haven't tuned it yet but the mods are on the horizon and have been worried about this rear diff issue.

[1320racer]

TinCanSailor: Spending several days at the Greenbrier in WV for my anniversary. They have a multitude of activities.

Chris_Mauck: I’m running a Stage 1 by Tuning Tech by Frank Smith (TTFS). Here’s my tuning experience at TTFS.

Dyno Details: All dyno pulls were in fourth gear and the values are at the wheels HP/TRQ FT.LBS.

DINAN Harness Installed
Bypass Mode. 447 372
Bypass Mode. Not Run
DINAN Stage 1. 477 401
DINAN Stage 1. 477 387
DINAN Stage 2. 480 389
DINAN Stage 2. 482 391

DINAN Harness Removed
OEM Stock Tune. 499 468
OEM Stock Tune. 512 465
OEM Stock Tune. 505 451
TuningTech Stage 1. 629 615
TuningTech Stage 1. 613 590
Note: The last two pulls were run immediately back-to-back

[dhm118]

Originally Posted by TinCanSailor

After I read it I started looking for a group buy or sale. I won't be driving mine for about a month and half due to work and am hoping to catch a black friday/cyber monday sale. If I was driving on the regular though it would be a top priority for me. I haven't tuned it yet but the mods are on the horizon and have been worried about this rear diff issue.

I'd reach out to RK. They've worked with me on pricing for parts I've purchased.

[TinCanSailor]

Originally Posted by dhm118

I'd reach out to RK. They've worked with me on pricing for parts I've purchased.

Fantastic. That is good to know. Definitely one of my most trusted vendors/advisors.

[TinCanSailor]

Having dealt with an engine that has eaten itself; I am not going to leave anything else to chance. I reached out to the folks at RKautowerks and was able to get better pricing than on the web.

I have no mods other than RKautowerks CF air intakes for now, which look and sound phenomenal, and I won't see my car for another 45 days but I am going to install this Diff Brace as soon as I do.

I have done business with them in the past and met the team in person and they are genuinely passionate about engineering and service.

I can't wait to get home and see this beautiful hunk of aluminum in person.

[TinCanSailor]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

TinCanSailor: Spending several days at the Greenbrier in WV for my anniversary. They have a multitude of activities.

Chris_Mauck: I’m running a Stage 1 by Tuning Tech by Frank Smith (TTFS). Here’s my tuning experience at TTFS.

Dyno Details: All dyno pulls were in fourth gear and the values are at the wheels HP/TRQ FT.LBS.

DINAN Harness Installed
Bypass Mode.* 447 372
Bypass Mode. Not Run
DINAN Stage 1. 477 401
DINAN Stage 1. 477 387
DINAN Stage 2. 480 389
DINAN Stage 2. 482 391

DINAN Harness Removed
OEM Stock Tune* 499 468
OEM Stock Tune* 512 465
OEM Stock Tune* 505 451
TuningTech Stage 1. 629 615
TuningTech Stage 1. 613 590
Note: The last two pulls were run immediately back-to-back

Oh wow! I think I've seen that place in a documentary. Looks amazing.

[1320racer]

Yesterday my vehicle was pushed into the shop and the work has begun to get everything back into working order. Upon arrival they had already:

• removed under vehicle covers/supports/splash guards
• removed exhaust from just after the down pipes back
• removed driveshaft
• removed and replaced diff
• removed and replaced OEM diff mount with billet diff mount

If no major problems are had with the repair and down pipe install, I hope to pick up the car by or before early next week. Then I need to replace the brakes, do some paint correction and ceramic coating (my first attempt at ceramic coating).

Shop:
Prestige Automotive Solutions
7511 Rickenbacker Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Phone: (301) 977-9700

[ajm55]

Sorry to read about your troubles. Sure the car will be awesome when all is done. Since installing my GAW diff bracket I’m hearing diff backlash and diff whine. Im looking into having the diff refurbished (bearings etc) here in South Africa. Curious to know whether refurbishment is an option in the US as I haven’t read anything about it. If not, is there a reason for this

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by ajm55

Sorry to read about your troubles. Sure the car will be awesome when all is done. Since installing my GAW diff bracket I’m hearing diff backlash and diff whine. Im looking into having the diff refurbished (bearings etc) here in South Africa. Curious to know whether refurbishment is an option in the US as I haven’t read anything about it. If not, is there a reason for this

When your German Autowerks differential mount was installed, were the OEM bushings pressed back into the new billet mount? Or were upgraded and stiffer bushings used?

I asked for upgraded bushings for my new billet diff mount and was advised strongly not to do so. From their experience, gear noise from the diff would become almost intolerable for most of their clients. I hope this helps point you in a direction to help resolve the noise you are now hearing and there’s no need for your diff to be refurbished or replaced.

GOOD LUCK ajm55! By the way, in the US, I found used differentials going for $675-$1,100.