Transfer box

[Bill1211]

I have a 2012 X5 3.00 X-drive.
I purchased the car in 2015.
In 2017 the transfer box had to be repaired at a cost of £2300,
In December 2021 the transfer box again had to be repaired. BMW agreed to pay half, which was again £2300.
Now just come back from the BMW dealer who says the transfer box has gone again, this time a cost of £5000 to replace. They say as it was replaces 2 years and 6 months ago it is no longer in warranty!
So a few question that you might be able to help.
1. How do I get BMW to pay for the part (or half as they did last time)
2. If they won’t and suggestion for a company that will replace it at a cheaper cost. I see transfer box’s being advertised at £800 but cant find anyone who would do the work.
No worried where in UK but South would be better.

Thanks Bill

[X5Sport]

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

A transfer box should not be failing every two years unless something more serious is causing it. Out of interest, are you using marked tyres and keeping the tread within 2mm of each other? XDrive cars are sensitive to tyres, but not to the extent you see on yours. One failure is rare, two unheard of on this forum, so three failures risk is vanishingly small without there being an issue with the driveline.

BMW’s warranty on replacement parts is 2 years, hence them probably not being amenable.

You could try talking to BMW UK and giving them the history of the vehicle and the number of failures of the transfer box.

A good BMW Independent or gearbox specialist should be able to change the internals as it will only be something worn rather than a new box needed. Rebuild kits are far cheaper than a replacement unit. It sounds like a more fundamental check of the driveline is needed.

My only experience is with A1 Premier Transmissions at Biggleswade in Bedfordshire. They rebuilt both my X5 and 330d gearboxes.

[Bill1211]

Thanks for the reply, I’ve always replaced all 4 tyres at the same time as last time the box went BMW wanted to see the receipt for the tyre change.
I’ll try A1 and see if they can help.

[Leslie]

That's very usual to need so many transfer boxes , how many miles are you covering in 2 years ? as most cars will still be on the original to very high mileages . It has to be either inferior quality parts or very harsh conditions of use like heavy towing

[Bill1211]

No towing just doing 8000 miles a year. I’m getting 35MPG out of it, so you can see I drive very carefully.
BMW main dealerships have changed the Transfer box twice, last time end of December 2021, now 2 years and 7 months later needs doing again.

[Dave willow]

Hi Bill,
Can I ask what symptoms did you have with you transfer box as I have problems with our E70.
You say you are in the south of UK. I got talking to a mechanic in bmw dealership. He told me that there is a
Place in Dover that does gear box and transfer box repairs. He gave me some of his cards but I lost the card that he wrote the phone number on. I will endeavour to find the firm and post on here.

[Bill1211]

Symptoms were mainly front wheel judder when parking especially bad when ground wet or on gravel. Bought a recon transfer box from Bristol Transmissions £2100 and had B and R Garages in Cardiff fit it for £500. Now running smooth.

[Dave willow]

Thanks for the reply.
The same problem as I have on our E70 Lci . I was told the slip was due too having general grabber tyres.
When I sent a photo of them they said I hadn't got the usalay big tread tryes which cause the problem.
I recently went out in the car sitting in the back seats and it felt like the rear wheels were doing it .
Bloody car I think I might do the to solve the headache. LOL