[Yangorang]

My mechanic noticed this leak at my last oil change - it seems to be the same issue described in these threads:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ront+diff+leak
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=2576277
Unfortunately my car is now out of warranty despite it's extremely low 23000 mileage.

I don't have a jack so I couldn't get a nice picture from under the car, but I did manage to get some shots from inside the wheel wells. You can see how the left side kinda looks wet compared to the right side which is nice and dry.

Local BMW-only indy shop quoted the repair at $300 total.
I think it's just part #2 on this diagram I need? http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...18&hg=31&fg=15
The actual part itself is really cheap but it seems like a real task getting to it.

How bad do you guys think this looks? Neither of the auto shops I spoke to seemed particularly concerned about it. I've been thinking about simply topping off the differential fluid and seeing if I can hold out until Inspection I to take care of it.
Is this a particularly pesky issues with xDrive models? Should I try complaining to BMWNA or would I just be wasting my time there?

[jeguth1s]

Mine looks exactly the same. I thought it was an oil pan gasket leak. I opened the fill plug on the diff and oil came out so i didn't think it was leaking. Guess I was wrong.

[E36graduate]

That's not bad at all, you should have seen the mess my front diff made when it was leaking from the input shaft!!

That's probably from the wheel dressing you put on your wheels!

[Amini77]

Doesn't seem urgent but something you definitely want to fix. What help would BMWNA do lol its just wear and tear do to age. Doesn't necessarily always have to be because of miles.

[Yangorang]

Yeah I've seen quite a few people online complaining about it leaking, but no one that's had their diff actually blow up on them because of this. Some people probably just get away with topping off the diff fluid every once in a while.

So one question I have is: does the car throw a code or light or something when the diff fluid gets low? Or do I have no way of knowing until the diff basically burns itself out?

[michbmw]

I think you need part #6 not 2

[Yangorang]

Originally Posted by michbmw

I think you need part #6 not 2

Yes you're right my bad - #6 seems to be what I need.

[Yangorang]

So I went and got my front diff fluid changed out today and asked the mechanic to clean the area up as well. Looks good so far but I'll be keeping an eye on it. The tech did say that he drained out pretty much exactly the same amount as he put in, so I guess the diff hasn't really lost much fluid at all.

[twinky64]

I own a 2007 328xi and I am experiencing a leak but it's not at the output shaft seals, rather, I think I am leaking at the input shaft. Has anybody have this issue of a leak originating from the input shaft region of the front diff? Would increasing viscosity help slow rate of leakage? If so, what viscosity should I use?

[wdeerfield]

I had my left front cv axle leaking and the dealer only charged my $175 to install a new seal and top off the fluid.. $300 seems high from an indy shop.

[ccraig13]

I think I had mine done last January. Paid $260 at the Indy. 2007 328xi