New Member with old X5 & new problem

[ribhub]

Hello all,
I've had this 2012 (Build Nov 2011) X5 for 9 years - ZW42 - N57 - 180kW - E70 (XDrive30D M Sport Auto). 2nd owner.
Drives beautifully. Tows a caravan with about 25mpg, otherwise have tested to 42mpg without.
1 front shaft recall - replaced.

Recent grinding sounds with loss of forward movement at hard right lock from 0mph. Check with mechanic shows transfer case seal leaking and oil check about 1 inch of fingertip. I asked about replacing the whole transfer case - local BMW dealer wants about 5K for the parts including module, excluding vat and labour.

I can see new transfer case assemblies online for under 1K (2 years warranty) or replacement parts (actuator motor, wheels) for a lot less.

I wonder if anyone could advice me what to do. the car has done 80,000 miles.

Kind regards

[X5Sport]

Transfer cases can and are rebuilt very successfully so getting a brand new one is not really necessary. If you have the tools and time, it can be done diy. BMW do not offer repairs, hence their costs being significantly higher.

Whilst you’re looking at this, it’s also important to have the right tyres (* mark on the sidewall) and that you have no more than 2mm tread difference between any tyre and the others. The * means BMW approved for the car and as many have found, it does matter. These cars can be sensitive to tyre choice and a wrong choice can either damage the front diff or transfer unit. Towing will place additional loads making choice more important. It doesn’t always happen and transfer cases can fail even with the right tyres, but it’s rarer.

Annoyingly this also means that a replacement tyre after a puncture can often mean the whole set having to replaced in order to keep the tread depth within the 2mm limit.

It would also be worth getting the fluids replaced in the entire transmission (both diffs & gearbox as well as the rebuilt transfer case). BMW will tell you the fluids are ‘lifetime’ but in BMW speak that it just three years. ZF who make the gearbox recommend 8 years or 80,000km (50,000 miles), whichever comes first.

[ribhub]

Thank you X5Sport.
The car came with 20 inch runflats tyres originally. However on 2 new sets the tyre wear was always asymmetrical. So changed to 18 inch non-runflat tyres about 4 years ago - alloys and tyres BMW OEM - with vast improvement in ride.

[X5Sport]

You’d be amazed how many people do go for non-run flat tyres because of the ride.

And to the Forum. Lots of good people in here, some who have been through what you are now suffering.

[ribhub]

Thank you for all the advice. Will keep it in mind. Now need to see if garage are able to do a rebuild or will have to find someone else in N Wiltshire area.

[Lobster Pot]

There’s a garage in Blackburn advertised on eBay doing a reconditioned transfer box for £850 fitted while you wait
I had a brand new one fitted by my local bmw specialist using a genuine bmw box for £3k either way it’s not cheap unless you got the facilities to do it yourself

[ribhub]

Thank you for the suggestion. One always needs a plan B.