E70 x5 rear differential part numbers

[9dipity]

Hi all!

Does anyone know if there's a difference between part numbers:
33107590912
And
33107590911

These are for rear differentials for e70 x5 LCI

There's an issue with my rear differential and it looks like a replacement is needed. But when I check realoem, it says I need the first one (ending in 912), but when searching around, I can mostly find differentials with the other part number.

And checking realoem, I don't see the 2nd part number in the website at all, but it does identify it as a differential

But then a lot of places list both part numbers indicating they're the same part.

Does anyone know if they actually are the same?
And why the difference?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[StuBeeDoo]

According to this;- http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/33107590911/
they are not interchangeable.

HTH

[9dipity]

Oh, thats interesting.

Thank you!
I will look into this then - not sure why they are listing it as though it can be used interchangeably on other sites :/
And they are listing the other part as though it has come from the same year car, very strange...

[Greydog]

Idon't know if you are aware but realoem if you doubleclick the part number it will show a list of alternatives and other models the part was used on. If there are any that is
Hope this helps

[Leslie]

There will be a sticker on the top , not easy to see I used my camera fone it will have the ratio on it and you need to match that earlier ones were underrated and prone to failure and I had a lot of trouble finding one for my sd
I'd see what price bnw is charging as the prices for secondhand ones were very steep for a possibly well worn unit, its the pinion bearing usually fails , often up to a grand and they were not a huge amount more new with a 2 year warranty .They may of course be a lot more now but id ask and see

[9dipity]

Unfortunately new ones (not china new) are close to 2k.

Used ones I can find ranging from 200-400

I've found one that looks in good condition, with relatively low mileage for 250.

Even if I have to replace these every 2-3 years, its still cheaper than getting a new one and hopefully the replacement should last me that, as I will probably replace the car after 2 years anyways.

[Leslie]

Thats a good price when I was looking most used ones were £1000 and new was about 1200 or so I think . The early ones were very scarse then, later ones not much demand for them as they didn't fail as often so far cheaper. More cars being scrapped now so parts are cheaper too.

The one I put in was far rustler than the one I too out , its how easy they turn by hand is a fair check as its a good bit of work to fit one .The one I took out could not be turned by hand at all .

[X5Sport]

The different diffs are for different engines and often specific and not interchangeable. It’s been this way for a while now. Certain ratios were rarer than hens teeth in the E53 and earlier E70 other than from BMW as they ‘recovered’ all warranty failed ones for remanufacturing so limiting supply pretty much to main dealers only.

[9dipity]

Well, this was interesting.

The parts are indeed the same.
Even though they have different end numbers, they are the same. Same ratio, same size. According to the official BMW dealer. Apparently the part numbers were updated some time in 2020, but they are the same thing, and as long as the ratio matches, they can be used interchangeably.

Just fitted the one that's supposed to not be interchangeable based on bmwfans.info website.

Also, when we took off the old one, it still had the 'old' part number, which is why the part I bought also fit.

Either way - not sure what the lesson here is, but cant really trust the part numbers apparently

[Leslie]

Part numbers do get changed as parts are updated and are often backwards compatible, usually realoem will tell you if they are ..sure you are glad to get it sorted anyway

[9dipity]

On a similar note - does anyone know who manufactures the OE seals for the differentials?

From what I've heard, mostly people say to use only OE seals as the aftermarket ones usually start leaking quickly and its advisable to use only OE seals.
But looking at the prices, its hard to justify
OE seals usually go for 2-3x more. Not a huge difference, but still.

I see there's aftermarket ones from Corteco and a company called REINZ, but not sure if its worth risking taking aftermarket ones.

[Leslie]

Id stick with genuine although both those companies are quality names On seals imo if you need a pinion seal you will soon need a diff or that was my experience anyway ,they leak due to the bearing wearing out .

[X5Sport]

The challenge with Realoem now is it’s nearly 5 years out of date so any newer part number changes won’t get picked up….and new models released can’t be found. Such a shame that BMW went all in with on line service support only….and then started charging for it.