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E90 differential fix/replace
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09-27-2020, 12:29 PM | #1 |
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E90 differential fix/replace
I own a 2009 BMW 323i. The differential just went out, and is making noise so I am wondering is it better to replace the differential with one from a auto recyler with warranty for around $800-$1000 CAD, or spend $250 CAD for the repair kit and get a shop to repair mine?
Also, I have been quoted between $500-$700 from transmission shops to simply take my differential off and install a new one, is that fair pricing? Thank you for your input! Btw I am located in Ontario, Canada. If anyone knows any good shops to take my car for this repair I am all ears! |
09-27-2020, 03:26 PM | #2 |
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Just to confirm, your car is RWD, right? And when you say the diff “went out,” is the car drivable? If so, is the noise pretty loud?
Regardless, those prices are ridiculous. (More the part pricing than the labour.) I have a barely-used rear diff (donor car had 30k miles) in my garage that I paid $220 USD for—and I thought that was a lot. I bought it because it was such a clean, low-mileage part, and so it was worth the price to me. Rear diff replacement entails dropping the exhaust, disconnecting the prop shaft, and disconnecting the rear axles. Not effortless, but certainly not a $700 job IMO. I also think warranty on a part like this isn’t worth much so long as the donor vehicle is low mileage and the part is in good shape. So paying $800-1000 for a used part sounds insane to me, warranty or no. One other thing to consider with used parts is the seals; make sure to replace them if they aren’t in good shape. Some would say (and I’d be inclined to agree) that you should replace them regardless of how good they look. These will run you about $100 or more for the three seals you’ll need. Okay, so what should you do? I would replace the whole diff, don’t bother with the repair kit. Look on eBay or Car-Part.com and find a good low-mileage replacement. Make sure you’re buying the correct diff, as the final drive ratio can vary! Once you’ve got your replacement diff, phone a few more shops if this isn’t a job you want to do yourself. I don’t think this is necessarily a specialty job for a transmission shop either, so find a few local independent BMW/Euro mechanics and see how they compare. The most I could see paying for this job would be around $400, which assumes $150/hour for labour. I hope others can chime in on what’s reasonable (bearing in mind we’re talking CAD $). I have a friend who runs a transmission shop here in Alberta so I’ll ask him what they would charge—maybe I’m off base in saying $500 is too much.
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09-27-2020, 03:44 PM | #3 |
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Get a 3.91 differential and throw it in your car. You can get them on eBay for fairly cheap. Installation is a bit time consuming but very doable.
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09-27-2020, 04:15 PM | #4 |
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The one scrap yard wants $700 plus tax for a dif with 230 thousand km on it plus 180 for a year warranty. Another place wanted around $1250 with warranty with like 170 thousand km. But a pull a part car place told me around $100 for the dif but I have to take it off the car myself, which I don’t know how to do so I found someone online that will go with me and he will remove it. He claims that he can tell if the dif is good jus by looking at it, is that true?
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09-27-2020, 05:17 PM | #6 |
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The prices you are being quoted are a ripoff. Must be BMW. Take the guy, and pay the 100 bucks. It's a 323, not a hot rod, so as long as it isn't leaking the scrap yard one will most likely be fine. Obviously change out the fluid.
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09-27-2020, 08:04 PM | #9 |
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At this point in these cars age it's not worth it at all to get a diff from bmw. They're gonna have to get those they have in stock and throw them away because nobody is gonna buy a new one. Just get the scrap yard one make sure it turns around good and all and good to go.
Installation and removal is not the end of the world if you're mechanically inclined. Just unbolting 3 of the 6 bolts at the driveshaft (replace rear guibo if you have it) then unbolt the 6 torx in each axle at the back and unbolt the thing off the diff mounts. I'm still for you getting a diff from a 328xi auto |
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09-27-2020, 08:07 PM | #10 | |
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But like I said, check out eBay. Yes shipping isn’t cheap but the final price will still be very reasonable if you pick the right one. How much is this guy charging to pull off the diff? You may still be better off with eBay.
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09-27-2020, 09:01 PM | #11 |
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I paid an indy BMW shop $350 to swap the whole dif with a used one I found for 100 bucks with a 30 day warranty. I recommend using this site if you haven't to finding a used part: www.car-part.com/
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09-27-2020, 10:28 PM | #12 | |
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09-27-2020, 10:29 PM | #13 | |
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09-27-2020, 10:31 PM | #14 | |
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09-27-2020, 11:50 PM | #15 |
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09-28-2020, 12:38 AM | #16 | ||
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09-28-2020, 12:56 AM | #17 |
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Theres some truth in that.. You can see if teeth are missing on the ring and pinion (differentials are not complicated).. See if anything is loose .. You can jack up the car rear end and once you turn one tire the other should turn opposite without issue.. Most of your issue with differential will be vibration and bearings..
Test to see if diff is good includes slope in ring and pinion gears and pinion end play.. |
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09-28-2020, 07:20 AM | #18 |
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Just my 2 cents.
I have a 2011 335i. The rear differential started to make a loud nose. My Indy shop said I may need a new, but wanted to change the fluid in the differential first. After the fluid change, the nose was highly reduced and disappeared altogether about 1500 miles later. So I would change the differential fluid before anything else. |
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09-28-2020, 08:01 AM | #19 |
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Unfortunately, Canada is a very different market for used BMW parts. I have bought a few diffs from the states and have gotten them all for well under 200usd shipped. BUT I have been able to get them shipped to a US address and pick them up and drive them through the border. Under $200 bucks at my crossing and its almost guaranteed you'll get waved through.
With our current situation, not anymore. Up here the wreckers all wanted over $750 Cdn, and the used market was very shallow. Free shipping is non existent up here, and getting things shipped up from the US is very expensive for heavy items such as a diff. And pretty much all carriers will charge brokerage fees as well. Keep your eyes peeled for someone parting out a car and show up with cash. Like I said, there isn't alot of market here so cash talks. And find out your gearing and compatibility with other models(ie 328i). I have a 3.23 328i diff that I'd sell for $150 but it would absolutely have to be local pick up in Vancouver. I know that doesn't help but maybe it gives an idea of our smaller market. |
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09-28-2020, 09:14 AM | #20 |
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if you free spin a ring and pinion you can feel if it has any broken things inside, or if the backlash is excessive, or if the bearings are already bad.
but that's no guarantee that a bearing doesn't fail in 10K miles. the #1 reason a diff goes bad is because it had a leak and ran out of fluid. If you're going to the hassle of swapping a diff, put new seals in it. it's easy and cheap when it's out of the car. |
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09-28-2020, 09:32 AM | #21 |
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Just to reiterate my comments from earlier, look on eBay. I agree the used BMW part market is BS here in Canada.
I’ve had everything I’ve bought on eBay shipped to my door. I paid $90 USD for the diff shipping, and while that was a lot, I just considered it part of the price. I’ve also bought an entire fender, too. The reason I’ve done this is because the actual price of the part has been so low that even when I factor in high-ish shipping, I’m still coming out ahead...
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09-28-2020, 10:12 AM | #22 | |
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