Differential Oil Selection Confusion

M

moonlightblue

Joined
Mar 11, 2020
Messages
94
Location
Europe
Hello everyone

I will change the differential fluid at my 2020 Bmw G20 3.20i 125Kw 170Hp Automatic car,

When I check Realoem I see that ( hypoid g3 ) with part nr 83222413512 is recommended, and when I research about this part number I see that it is a 75W80 Gl5 oil which I believe that is suicide for a differential that requires thicker oil I believe.

At my older car which was 2013 F30 320i ( hypoid g1 ) part nr 83222295532 was recommended which was 75w85 gl5 oil.

We all know that BMW keeps recommending thinner oils to shorten lifespan of their cars to sell new cars sooner also calls fluids which already have shelf life as ' LifeTime' is another proof of this drama.

From this, can I use the differential fluid that was recommended for F30 (75w85 GL5) at a G20 that needs 75w80 GL5 ? I belive that it will be much safer not to drop the weight of the differential fluid any lower than 75W85 especially at a rear drive car such as Bmw. What do you think?

Look forward to reading your responses

Cheers all


 
I used 75w-90 in my Ford Explorer that calls for 75W-85 after researching the topic quite a bit. Both were full synthetic with the same GL rating, but the 75W-90 was easier to find and more cost effective. I'm not saying you should do the same, but that was my decision.
 
D60 said:
Don't watch the Royalty Auto vid where they convince themselves a slightly different weight destroyed a Bimmer front diff in a day. I still contend they're idiots and can't watch anything more from them.
Click to expand...
I’m not so sure. I think they are trying to do the right thing. Are they oil experts? Definitely not, but they noticed that using an alternative oil caused the differential to grenade within one day. My opinion after seeing that video is I would use OEM fluid in that specific case so I could sleep at night.
 
brandon9715 said:
I’m not so sure. I think they are trying to do the right thing. Are they oil experts? Definitely not, but they noticed that using an alternative oil caused the differential to grenade within one day. My opinion after seeing that video is I would use OEM fluid in that specific case so I could sleep at night.
Click to expand...


Is this the video you're referring to? I skipped around but couldn't find the fluid that was used and the fluid that was required. Both very relevant facts before making any type of conclusion.

 
D60 said:
Don't watch the Royalty Auto vid where they convince themselves a slightly different weight destroyed a Bimmer front diff in a day. I still contend they're idiots and can't watch anything more from them.
Click to expand...

brandon9715 said:
I’m not so sure. I think they are trying to do the right thing. Are they oil experts? Definitely not, but they noticed that using an alternative oil caused the differential to grenade within one day. My opinion after seeing that video is I would use OEM fluid in that specific case so I could sleep at night.
Click to expand...

So better to stick to the oil weight and type that the BMW part number is matching even if it is a thinner oil?

At the country that I am living unfortunately FEBI is the only differential oil that I can get with the right BMW part number recommendation and it is a 75W80 and GL5 fluid. Febi 184247 as I understood correctly.

I remember that I used Febi 48785 at my previous Bmw F30 where 75w85 GL5 was recommended and I did not have any issue at all. But at G20 serié as 75w80 GL5 comes up with the BMW part number 83222413512, and as Google image results also match the part number with the grade and viscosity of the oil I will go with Febi 184247. Will it be the best action?
 
moonlightblue said:
So better to stick to the oil weight and type that the BMW part number is matching even if it is a thinner oil?

At the country that I am living unfortunately FEBI is the only differential oil that I can get with the right BMW part number recommendation and it is a 75W80 and GL5 fluid. Febi 184247 as I understood correctly.

I remember that I used Febi 48785 at my previous Bmw F30 where 75w85 GL5 was recommended and I did not have any issue at all. But at G20 serié as 75w80 GL5 comes up with the BMW part number 83222413512, and as Google image results also match the part number with the grade and viscosity of the oil I will go with Febi 184247. Will it be the best action?
Click to expand...
I’m no oil expert either. I want to preface that. I’m just a hobbyist that likes to learn as much as I can. My opinion is I would be using the BMW branded oil. Their exact oil, even though it’s likely vastly overpriced. I have seen comments that BMW has some weird stuff going on and their additive package is very specific and proprietary. I’m not convinced that’s true, but I also wouldn’t be willing to risk it on a hunch if it were me.
 
brandon9715 said:
I’m no oil expert either. I want to preface that. I’m just a hobbyist that likes to learn as much as I can. My opinion is I would be using the BMW branded oil. Their exact oil, even though it’s likely vastly overpriced. I have seen comments that BMW has some weird stuff going on and their additive package is very specific and proprietary. I’m not convinced that’s true, but I also wouldn’t be willing to risk it on a hunch if it were me.
Click to expand...

Problem is that I am having similar confusion with transmission oil Bmw is recommending BMW part nr 83225A12A00 which definitely is a ZF LifeGuard 9 fluid. However when I ask to ZF, both ZF Global and also local ZF part seller here recommend the older ZF LifeGuard 8. ZF website on the otherhand recommends both. So I will listen to ZF rather than BMW, as transmissions already come with their oil pumped in to BMW and BMW only installs them. I think it might be same with differentials. I also do not believe that it is possible for BMW to put any additive to a GL5 75w80 fluid to make it better, if BMW will put any additive to readily use fluid they will only make it worse actually.

At my previous F30 Febi 48785 diff fluid was fine without any problems about 2 years and 22000kms. I would change it again as I like short OCI at anything, but I had a terrible accident with that car.
Also at my another previous 3 different E46 series I was using Castrol 75W90 GL5 and changing the diff fluid every 1.5 - 2 years 20000 km and it was fine at 3 of bmw e46s.
 
I would call it anything but interesting. BMW has so many sins that are legit, slapping them with an idiotic one actually gives them an anchor point for effective defense.

I hereby declare the OP works for them. Mwahahaaa
 
D60 said:
Don't watch the Royalty Auto vid where they convince themselves a slightly different weight destroyed a Bimmer front diff in a day. I still contend they're idiots and can't watch anything more from them.
Click to expand...
I had the same reaction, similar to CarCareNut advising AGAINST clean AT fluid. Can't fight it, just post, unsubscribe and move on.

There are so many techs out there that do the work but don't really understand what's going on. Many of those seem to love talking about how much they don't quite understand. I get it, it's a huge amount of knowledge and experience to process and acquire but, I think for most, they get complacent and their growth stagnates. Shame.
 
  • Like
Reactions: D60
brandon9715 said:
I’m not so sure. I think they are trying to do the right thing. Are they oil experts? Definitely not, but they noticed that using an alternative oil caused the differential to grenade within one day. My opinion after seeing that video is I would use OEM fluid in that specific case so I could sleep at night.
Click to expand...
And that is exactly the wrong conclusion which helps spread misinfomation and stunts understanding.

Consider such Classic Hits like:
- battery on concrete gets drained / wrecked
- don't change your old, black ATF or you'll destroy the transmission
- synthetic engine oil causes leaks
... and many, MANY more!!
 
Jimmy_Russells said:
Now there is an interesting take. Just wait until @edyvw reads this one :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
Interesting but true updating LL01 to another newer LLs at the same car is also a proof, and specs of A3B4 can not be remained same at updated approvals which are totally different purpose oils. but it is out of topic.
 
brandon9715 said:
I don’t think anyone thinks the viscosity was the problem. Everything points to proprietary additives being a possibility. Could have also been bad luck, but I wouldn’t risk it to find out.
Click to expand...
There was a material or assembly problem in those OE gearboxes that was leading to chronic, early, failure. I don't know if BMW owned up to it yet or released any TSBs on the matter but that's where I'd start looking.

Sometimes it's cheaper just to ignore the problem and pay out the failures that are in warranty. Hopefully the replacement gearboxes are fixed.
 
goblin said:
I would call it anything but interesting. BMW has so many sins that are legit, slapping them with an idiotic one actually gives them an anchor point for effective defense.

I hereby declare the OP works for them. Mwahahaaa
Click to expand...
No I do not work for them.
 
martinq said:
And that is exactly the wrong conclusion which helps spread misinfomation and stunts understanding.

Consider such Classic Hits like:
- battery on concrete gets drained / wrecked
- don't change your old, black ATF or you'll destroy the transmission
- synthetic engine oil causes leaks
... and many, MANY more!!
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t conflate wanting to stick to factory spec fill with old wives tales. That is awfully condescending.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Z
Rear Differential 75w85 vs 75w90 - Any Benefit Either Way
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
Impatient
H
oil for 1990 Toyota corolla all-trac wagon (ae95) transmission/transfer case
Replies
9
Views
820
MolaKule
N
Substitute Motul Gear 300 75W-90 for BMW G1 75W85?
Replies
1
Views
3K
oldhp
FTTSHO
Are thicker gear oils better for differentials?
2
Replies
31
Views
10K
MolaKule
Peter.J
Trying to find information on BMW's MSP/A differential fluid
Replies
4
Views
804
97prizm
Back
Top Bottom