4.8is - seized front differential?!

[centurion]

hi guys,

I have a bit of a problem with my X5... so wanted to check couple things with you and  also gather some advise.

I took my vehicle for a service to the garage owned by a friend who had also been maintaining my other cars and have been doing so for last 10ish years. Scope of works was to do
- oil + filters
- front axle lower arms
- and do the wheel alignment

Everything was done as agreed and they also noticed that rear arms were gone so I gave them a go ahead to replace that too. On completion they took the car for a 'test drive' and noticed that something is noisy/lumpy etc. Long story short - the front diff. had seized up and the car is undriveable  :'( (albeit everything was fine when I took it in).

I spoke to him/them and they said it is not their responsibility as one could have gone while I had it etc... all fine and true but I still hold them somewhat 'responsible' or accountable. That said he suggested that he will settle labour cost and that I should pay for the part which in fairness [and not knowing how much would it cost?] seems like a fair comment. So couple questions I have...

1) your thoughts on this proposal?

2) or should I bring in an independent surveyor to decide who's fault is it? not my preferred route and tbh not sure if he/she would bring in any value [cost to hire/time to bring him in vs. the same money could go towards the cost of the part etc]?

3) and the most important point - where can I source the part and how much would it cost???

4) to broaden my search, is front diff. on 4.8is similar to other models/engines or 'unique' in it's own sense? ideally if I could get UNIVERSAL part that would simplify it greatly.

5) any other hints/suggestions?


Any assistance would be welcomed... much appreciated,

[Steamyrotter]

In my experience....

They are as rare as the proverbial rocking horse excrement..
The fronts typically will be costing in the realms of £700 second hand with limited or no warranty....
(rears I have seen at £1400 second hand)
They are specific to the model and especially the engine & gearbox combo.

Ebay may be the most hopeful source of one but note warranty etc..

New???
You could try stealers but ensure you are sat down in an ambulance with the defib machine plumbed in ready.

[weirdfish]

Try Fab Direct on 01594 827333.

[centurion]

Will do...

For my knowledge, 4.8 uses 3.91 ratio on front diff. As they are rare to find/source. Would one with 3.7 or 4.x ratio work on this vehicle? And more importantly would it fit?

[Chrisw4266]

I dont believe in co incidence, it went in with a working diff and came out broken????? seams a bit fishy to me. Getting an assessor in won't help unless your going to court.

[kkx5]

Had few x5's with damaged front diff, car will drive no problem couse transfer box is taking all the force so expect transfer box to be knackerd too. Dont think garage is to blame. As i said,  had few for transfer with broken front diff. You need to find diff with correct ratio. Wrong ratio will defo damaged transfer+rear diff.

[centurion]

Went in today and checked it while on the car and it has a very bad crack of 4-5cm... E.g. Gone completely. It will be removed tomorrow for closer inspection and i hope that g'box and or driveshafts haven't been affected by the fault.

More to follow... And if you have any info re where i can source one from that would be greatly appreciated. Thx

[kkx5]

I'm 99% sure transfer is gone. Clutch pack burned. Last time when i was searching for front 3.91 diff found one in Poland. Will ask tomoz if he still got it. Its same as for 3.0d.

[centurion]

Apparently facelift 3.0d and 4.8 share the same part... Plus one from 4.6 also fits. Tbc though...

[Steamyrotter]

You definitely need the same ratio front and back otherwise you will stress the transfer box.

If you mix then the front & rear prop shafts will be turning at different speeds which could damage your transfer box in the long term.. 

3.0d prefacelift (auto & manual) are different(per car not axle) -  3.73:1 & 3.03:1
did find a chart of all the diffs but cannot readily find it now.....

[centurion]

Quick update to let you know i finally sorted out all the nightmare(s) i had re front diff... New-ish one is now in and i'm back with the smiley face now. Cost wasn't bad after all and something i can only hope for is that it will last ...

[weirdfish]

Where did get your replacement from.

[centurion]

Phoned up no. Of breakers around the country and after a bit of research managed to find one on ebay... Really challenging to find 3.91 front diff.

BMW Dealer wanted 1200 incl. of VAT for a 'new' and to exchange mine which wasn't worth a penny. After a bit of consideration i opted for a second hand part from a relatively low mileage vehicle... They (BMW) didn't want to guarantee that part is not absolutely new and warranty they provided meant it has to be done in accordance to their standards meaning being fit by them.

Long story short and being 500ish incl. the delivery worse off the car is now back on the rd .

Both F+R suspension had been done with new set of Pirelli's at the front and it is a joy to drive now... All in all this Christmas gift had cost me nearly a grand but i'm pleased that the car is now spot on. 

[DaveB]

Like hen's teeth cos they use an odd ratio and it's known the original version wasn't up to the 4.8is power output.

Mine exloded in June 2013. I searched for a second hand one and the ones I found were expensive and obviously unknown. I opted for a new warrented one from BMW. The cost was an unexpectedly low £800 (cheaper than a econd hand one), so it was promptly ordered by my local BMW independent from the localish BMW Cambridge dealer (Elms).

I got totally pissed around and turned up about 6 months later. I had the luxury of a brand new 730 loaner, so it wan't so bad.

Investiage the new cost before risking a dodgy second hand one.

[centurion]

it's been a week and I've done around 100ish miles mainly in town. Pleased with the outcome so far albeit I feel it is a bit stiffer on the steering but that may well be related to new suspension/tyres [unless i'm talking nonsense]?

planning to do a short trip to Bicester this weekend and push it slightly harder on the motorway. More to follow...