Non-LSD Differential Fluid Change

bioman · 01-25-2010, 06:34 PM

What specific weight is needed for a 330/325 diff? Would 75W90 be good or do we need to use something specific for non-LSD BMW diff's?

742 · 01-25-2010, 06:44 PM

Redline 75W-90 seems to be popular. The Castrol SAF-XO is the correct fluid, but it is very hard to find.

bmw6953 · 01-25-2010, 06:48 PM

The E90 325i and 330i use a non lsd 75w-140 fluid. you can use lsd fluid on a non lsd diff but not vice versa. Red line 75-140 differential oil is a good replacement for the stock fluid and its a lot cheaper.

E46 models use a 75w-90 fluid

bioman · 01-25-2010, 07:01 PM

How many quarts does the diff take? I'm guessing less than 2.

AlanAZ · 01-25-2010, 09:41 PM

From Redline's website:

Differentials: 75W90
2002 on with multi-disk limited slip: 75W140

I'm running Redline 75w90 in mine. Took about 1.2 qt. There's no drain plug, you'll need a gear oil pump to drain and fill, and flexible hose to get to the bottom. I measured how much came out of mine, and needed to change hoses to get the last half a quart. The factory puts in the plug tight, and it got a bit mushed when removing, so I'm glad I had a new one to replace it with (thanks Tischer!)

bmw6953 · 01-25-2010, 10:33 PM

The correct stock diff fluid in the E90 is Castrol SAF-XJ and its s 75w-140 wieght. I substituted mine with Redline 75w-140 and the exact quatityis 1.2 liters

Alot of the earlier bmw models run of Castrol SAF-XO wich is a 75w-90 weight.

From the Reddline website
Differential:
SAF-XO & SAFX-LS => 75W90
SAF-XJ => 75W140

Im sure either one would work though.

AlanAZ · 01-25-2010, 11:04 PM

The Bentley manual has the all E9x except M3 as SAF-XO 75W90 (for what it's worth), but got the capacity incorrect at 1.05 qt.

hun77777 · 01-26-2010, 03:33 AM

does this apply to 335i without lsd too? so 75w90? or 75w140 for 335i?

bioman · 01-26-2010, 11:17 AM

Looking over a Castrol Spec Sheet:
http://www.ge39.com/files/SAF_XO_SAF_XJ_B1174_96.pdf

SAF-XJ (75w-140) for LSD Diffs.
SAF-XO (75w-90) for Open Diffs.

I'll put in some RedLine 75w90 and see how it goes.

Bcube · 01-26-2010, 02:03 PM

Per the BMW TIS:

(USA) E9x N52 engines ('06-325i/330i, 328i,) rear diff is designated 188L/188LW and takes SAF-X0 (75w-90) with a 1 liter fill.

(USA) E9X N54 TT engine [and the M57TU (335d)] rear diff is designated 215L/215LW and takes SAF-XO (75w-90) with a 1.2 liter fill.

01-25-2010, 06:34 PM	#1
bioman First Lieutenant 173 Rep 341 Posts Drives: E30 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Non-LSD Differential Fluid Change What specific weight is needed for a 330/325 diff? Would 75W90 be good or do we need to use something specific for non-LSD BMW diff's?
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01-25-2010, 06:44 PM	#2
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Redline 75W-90 seems to be popular. The Castrol SAF-XO is the correct fluid, but it is very hard to find.
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01-25-2010, 06:48 PM	#3
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	The E90 325i and 330i use a non lsd 75w-140 fluid. you can use lsd fluid on a non lsd diff but not vice versa. Red line 75-140 differential oil is a good replacement for the stock fluid and its a lot cheaper. E46 models use a 75w-90 fluid
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01-25-2010, 07:01 PM	#4
bioman First Lieutenant 173 Rep 341 Posts Drives: E30 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	How many quarts does the diff take? I'm guessing less than 2.
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01-25-2010, 09:41 PM	#5
AlanAZ Captain 40 Rep 818 Posts Drives: E90 325i sport manual Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (4)	From Redline's website: Differentials: 75W90 2002 on with multi-disk limited slip: 75W140 I'm running Redline 75w90 in mine. Took about 1.2 qt. There's no drain plug, you'll need a gear oil pump to drain and fill, and flexible hose to get to the bottom. I measured how much came out of mine, and needed to change hoses to get the last half a quart. The factory puts in the plug tight, and it got a bit mushed when removing, so I'm glad I had a new one to replace it with (thanks Tischer!) Last edited by AlanAZ; 01-25-2010 at 09:51 PM..
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01-25-2010, 10:33 PM	#6
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	The correct stock diff fluid in the E90 is Castrol SAF-XJ and its s 75w-140 wieght. I substituted mine with Redline 75w-140 and the exact quatityis 1.2 liters Alot of the earlier bmw models run of Castrol SAF-XO wich is a 75w-90 weight. From the Reddline website Differential: SAF-XO & SAFX-LS => 75W90 SAF-XJ => 75W140 Im sure either one would work though.
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01-25-2010, 11:04 PM	#7
AlanAZ Captain 40 Rep 818 Posts Drives: E90 325i sport manual Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (4)	The Bentley manual has the all E9x except M3 as SAF-XO 75W90 (for what it's worth), but got the capacity incorrect at 1.05 qt. Last edited by AlanAZ; 01-26-2010 at 12:40 PM..
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01-26-2010, 03:33 AM	#8
hun77777 Brigadier General 198 Rep 4,647 Posts Drives: SG E92 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA iTrader: (58)	does this apply to 335i without lsd too? so 75w90? or 75w140 for 335i? __________________ SGE92TT......................... 12.331 Sec @ 117.89 Mph............................POWERED BY l BMS DCI l HELIX IC l FORGE DVs l RR OCC & CP & SCOOPS l AR 3" DPs l AE QUADs l BLISTEIN PSS10 l P3 VENT GUAGE l VISHNU PROCEDE V5 AUTOTUNE l Lots of Window Stickers
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01-26-2010, 11:17 AM	#9
bioman First Lieutenant 173 Rep 341 Posts Drives: E30 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Looking over a Castrol Spec Sheet: http://www.ge39.com/files/SAF_XO_SAF_XJ_B1174_96.pdf SAF-XJ (75w-140) for LSD Diffs. SAF-XO (75w-90) for Open Diffs. I'll put in some RedLine 75w90 and see how it goes. Last edited by bioman; 01-26-2010 at 01:20 PM..
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01-26-2010, 02:03 PM	#10
Bcube Been there, wrecked that. 18 Rep 547 Posts Drives: '07 E93 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Per the BMW TIS: (USA) E9x N52 engines ('06-325i/330i, 328i,) rear diff is designated 188L/188LW and takes SAF-X0 (75w-90) with a 1 liter fill. (USA) E9X N54 TT engine [and the M57TU (335d)] rear diff is designated 215L/215LW and takes SAF-XO (75w-90) with a 1.2 liter fill. __________________ -Brian ~199K miles. I -still- don't fear my 335i.
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