They changed the packaging and are no longer selling the long neck/spout bottle branded as BMW maybe Merc or somebody else still is. I saved one bottle for next time.
175.8KVIEWS
124REPLIES
32APPRECIATES
09-21-2022LAST POST
Kamen wrotePackaging has changed and it looks really sketchy now, but it is legit. It's almost like someone has a 55 gallon drum and is just filling cheap plastic bottles.Just bought 3 bottles of differential oil, which came unsealed. Is this normal? Obviously, the content of the bottles can be tampered with, if they aren't sealed. The oil I got is the BMW genuine SAF-XJ + FM booster/SAE 75W-140.
ThatM3guy wroteIs the stubby 14mm hex socket a necessity? $30 shipped is quite a bit for one socket.I had also purchased the stubby 14MM hex from bimmertools which will avoid any complications with bolt removal. There is room above the diff to shove the bottle up there and then using the soft bottle stem, you can bend the tube into the fill hold (then squeeze the bottle)... Again, easy DIY. Took me about 30min once I had the car up
///Mobbin wroteNo way, I just bought this set and didn't have any issues at all. Half the price and includes other sizes which are useful for other parts of the car as well.Is the stubby 14mm hex socket a necessity? $30 shipped is quite a bit for one socket.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10074A-Socket-13-Piece-Metric/dp/B000GYLGU8/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1476376059&sr=1-3&keywords=hex+socket+set
M3MPH1S wroteI have that exact set already, thanks for the info!///Mobbin wroteNo way, I just bought this set and didn't have any issues at all. Half the price and includes other sizes which are useful for other parts of the car as well.Is the stubby 14mm hex socket a necessity? $30 shipped is quite a bit for one socket.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10074A-Socket-13-Piece-Metric/dp/B000GYLGU8/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1476376059&sr=1-3&keywords=hex+socket+set
Just changed my diff fluid at 101k with redline 75w140. Ordered 2 qts and new fill plugs from ecs for under $50. Picked up a fluid transfer pump at harbor freight for $5 as well as a new set of (approx 10) hex sockets for $14. Install went smoothly, no noise from the diff, I'm a happy camper!
Sean05 wroteMy local Merc dealer only had the castrol syntrax in 500 ml bottles listed at $33. They also gave me an extra %15 off for a club discount. Not quite the bargain I was hoping for but still much cheaper than BMW.yes exactly and if people that will use the NON FM FLUID... make sure to get one at MERC dealer which is
16 bucks a qtz... compare to 30 bucks a qtz for the FM version...
Locksmythe wroteThey're pretty cheap at ECS: under $20/500mL, plus free shipping if you buy the 3 bottles you'll need.My local Merc dealer only had the castrol syntrax in 500 ml bottles listed at $33. They also gave me an extra %15 off for a club discount. Not quite the bargain I was hoping for but still much cheaper than BMW.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-mercedes-benz-parts/castrol-saf-xj-75w140-500-ml/001989520310/
Great find! Next time...
M3MPH1S wroteHow was the clearance with this socket?No way, I just bought this set and didn't have any issues at all. Half the price and includes other sizes which are useful for other parts of the car as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10074A-Socket-13-Piece-Metric/dp/B000GYLGU8/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1476376059&sr=1-3&keywords=hex+socket+set
Triebwerk wroteI don't remember exactly, but there was more than enough room to work with using a standard socket wrench.M3MPH1S wroteHow was the clearance with this socket?No way, I just bought this set and didn't have any issues at all. Half the price and includes other sizes which are useful for other parts of the car as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10074A-Socket-13-Piece-Metric/dp/B000GYLGU8/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1476376059&sr=1-3&keywords=hex+socket+set
Yeah, I swapped my oil yesterday and the clearance right there wasn't even something I would have noticed if I hadn't read some of the earlier posts on here. I used a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter and still had plenty of room.
Jesus, why did I pay $45/bottle for the BMW stuff from ECS?
Possible history of the BMW branded differential fluid for the E9X M3:
BMW 75w-140 Limited Slip GL-5 standard differential fluid, aka SAF-XJ (2007-2016) = Rowe Hightec Hypoid EP SAE 75W-140 S-LS (same style small cone caps for both BMW branded and Rowe branded which was also sold under the Mopar and Ford labels)
BMW 75w-140 Limited Slip GL-5 differential fluid with extra friction modifier, aka SAF-XJ+FM (2007-2016) = Castrol Syntrax SAF-XJ 75w-140 (exact same design for the cap on both of these bottles, green cap for the BMW branded oil and red cap for the Castrol branded oil)
BMW 75w-140 Limited Slip GL-5 rated differential fluid with extra friction modifier, aka SAF-XJ+FM (red cap bottle 2016+) = Shell Spirax S6 AXME 75w-140
Other OEM equivalents can be found in this link here.
BMW 75w-140 Limited Slip GL-5 standard differential fluid, aka SAF-XJ (2007-2016) = Rowe Hightec Hypoid EP SAE 75W-140 S-LS (same style small cone caps for both BMW branded and Rowe branded which was also sold under the Mopar and Ford labels)
BMW 75w-140 Limited Slip GL-5 differential fluid with extra friction modifier, aka SAF-XJ+FM (2007-2016) = Castrol Syntrax SAF-XJ 75w-140 (exact same design for the cap on both of these bottles, green cap for the BMW branded oil and red cap for the Castrol branded oil)
BMW 75w-140 Limited Slip GL-5 rated differential fluid with extra friction modifier, aka SAF-XJ+FM (red cap bottle 2016+) = Shell Spirax S6 AXME 75w-140
Other OEM equivalents can be found in this link here.
You can use any 75w140 GL-5. If it doesn't already have a friction modifier (sometimes they will add "LS" after the name), just buy a tube and add some to personal preference.
There are dozens of choices and there is nothing special about any of the OEM fluids other than the high dose of FM.
There are dozens of choices and there is nothing special about any of the OEM fluids other than the high dose of FM.
Great DIY! I'll be doing this soon enough!
Just swapped mine out for Motul, was a sexy blue color and is running with less NHV now "solid diff mounts"
I had basically zero clearance though, just depends on what exhaust your using. Was just able to fit a stubby socket in it, then had to use an open end wrench on the hex shaft to turn it "drain bolt" Fill bolt had plenty of room with and extension.
I had basically zero clearance though, just depends on what exhaust your using. Was just able to fit a stubby socket in it, then had to use an open end wrench on the hex shaft to turn it "drain bolt" Fill bolt had plenty of room with and extension.
Have any of you used Liqui Moly for Diff Fluid rather than the OEM MotorSport? I'm in need of a diff fluid bleed and fill soon and was wondering on which to choose, I know the Motorsport one is a much heftier price tag, but if it performs much better than I'd rather stick to something reliable rather than cheap out and have issues later.. Thanks!
HalfSoul wroteI've flushed mine twice and used Redline (non-NS version) and had absolutely no problems with performance or noise over the past 60k+ miles on road and on track, so I would say that probably all of the top companies' offerings will be quite sufficient.Have any of you used Liqui Moly for Diff Fluid rather than the OEM MotorSport? I'm in need of a diff fluid bleed and fill soon and was wondering on which to choose, I know the Motorsport one is a much heftier price tag, but if it performs much better than I'd rather stick to something reliable rather than cheap out and have issues later.. Thanks!
HalfSoul wroteNo, but most off-the-shelf gear lubes are pretty similar. The LM stuff is virtually the same as the OEM Castrol fluid on paper, so if you can get it cheaply locally (NAPA), go for it.Have any of you used Liqui Moly for Diff Fluid rather than the OEM MotorSport? I'm in need of a diff fluid bleed and fill soon and was wondering on which to choose, I know the Motorsport one is a much heftier price tag, but if it performs much better than I'd rather stick to something reliable rather than cheap out and have issues later.. Thanks!
If you are concerned about deviating from OEM, you can get Castrol Syntrans LS (which is the OEM fluid) from ECS for about $20/bottle. They even sell a differential service kit which includes all the bottles, gaskets, and drain bolts. Alternatively, go to a Mercedes dealer and order part 001989520310 -- they use the same fluid too.
Awesome! thank you!
Thanks!
