Noisy Differential ... those that have had one?

[Kevlar]

Have you had a noisy differential in the past? Can you please describe your driving habits to me? I've never had a problem with my diff in the past, but recently since my car has been sitting more than it's moving, I think it has developing noisy differential syndrome in the early mornings after it hasn't been driven for a long time.

I called up BMW to ask them about the lifetime fluid ... if it was indeed lifetime or if lifetime was defined as 60,000 miles and out of warranty. I think I'm going to change the fluid anyway if anybody has any recommendations.

Strange tho that after 70k miles that the differential would now develop noisy diff syndrome. I guess the car needs to be kept in constant motion to avoid that problem.

[littlelee1]

Have you had a noisy differential in the past? Can you please describe your driving habits to me? I've never had a problem with my diff in the past, but recently since my car has been sitting more than it's moving, I think it has developing noisy differential syndrome in the early mornings after it hasn't been driven for a long time.

I called up BMW to ask them about the lifetime fluid ... if it was indeed lifetime or if lifetime was defined as 60,000 miles and out of warranty. I think I'm going to change the fluid anyway if anybody has any recommendations.

Strange tho that after 70k miles that the differential would now develop noisy diff syndrome. I guess the car needs to be kept in constant motion to avoid that problem.
Have this problem if I go away on business, per say 3-4 days and come back. I drive it for roughly 5-10 minutes and the noise is gone. Changed my fluid and didn't help with the problem.

So I figured from cumulative suggestions and tests that maybe there is an issue with the fluids heating up? Or maybe the fluids are coagulating and need to be moved on a constant basis. Never the less this is only my experience; and it only happens when not driven for days on end.

[cesspenar]

changed the fluid on sat with help of a friend after dealership didnt want to do it, they were bsing me around and what not.

noise has reduced in the morning and I dont get the highway noise anymore either...

so seems to be working.

[252kw]

I've had that problem. BMW added a diff additive which got rid of the problem. Notice the car handles a lot better now. Ive only done few hard launches and a couple of track days, so the diff. should still be okay :)

[egyptntree]

I had the problem and it sounded like a grind whenever I went around a corner. And so they changed the fluid and never heard the noise again.

[hal9000]

Have you had a noisy differential in the past? Can you please describe your driving habits to me? I've never had a problem with my diff in the past, but recently since my car has been sitting more than it's moving, I think it has developing noisy differential syndrome in the early mornings after it hasn't been driven for a long time.

I called up BMW to ask them about the lifetime fluid ... if it was indeed lifetime or if lifetime was defined as 60,000 miles and out of warranty. I think I'm going to change the fluid anyway if anybody has any recommendations.

Strange tho that after 70k miles that the differential would now develop noisy diff syndrome. I guess the car needs to be kept in constant motion to avoid that problem.

Geesh Kev, first the cats, now the diff?

I know you do alot of driving, but :eek:

Dare I ask what the list has been so far outside of normal wear items?

[GotBHP?]

Try some redline 75w-90 'shockproof' gear oil if they still make it.

[Kevlar]

Geesh Kev, first the cats, now the diff?

I know you do alot of driving, but :eek:

Dare I ask what the list has been so far outside of normal wear items?

Outside of the normal wear items... the cats. The differential hasn't been diagnosed yet, it could just be from lack of use.

Other things that have gone bad outside of your typical wear items. Door seals... those seem to fall every year. Driveshaft Guibo (but I guess that's wearable). A/C control panel ... that freaked out one day.

[Mully911]

I just bought a 2001 M3 CPO vehicle two weeks ago from BMW of Bel Air MD. I t has 26k mi on it. What a nightmare!! This is the clunkiest noisiest drive train I have ever heard. Drove it home to Ohio and straight to the dealer to foot a $700 repair bill.

They replaced :
The rear end diff, which still sounds the same..clunk..click..
fixed the sunroof visor that would not open.
replaced the seatbelt return mech.,
replaced the headlight washer.
Shimmed the exhaust for an anoying rattle that is still there.
Next the mechanic said it looked as if none of the fluids were ever changed...black brake fluid,watery antifreeze,old trans fluid.
I thought CPO inspection was to repair or replace all of these items before sale...Guess not!!
Sent all receipts to dealer of purchase and have been waiting for over a week to see if they will pay for this??
AAARRRGGGG!!
Loosing sleep
Mully

[zshiek]

did you do any investigating into warranty and the CPO inspection checklist before you bought a $40k car??

The diff is definetly bad and the dual mass flywheel is Dog Sh*t but they can be easily corrected to some degree.

Make sure they are putting in the UPDATED diff fluid in your car with the fm booster to help with the noise and clunk clink clunk..

Put mt-90 redline fluid in your tranny. Its thicker and will help save your syncros down the line.

Put redline water wetter in your radiator to help with cooling.

The exaust rattle is the first time i have heard of that problem. Sounds like you bought a hogged m3.

I am very careful when giving my keys to anyone with this car since i have already found proof of bmw of fairfax in nova going on joyrides with my car. Car comes in to have maf replace and goes out with 18 extra miles. either joyrides or they secretly replaced the engine again.

[Mully911]

zshiek
I did not do the proper investigation.
I was told by the dealer this car was maticulously cared for by it's owner.
Carfax shows 3 owners.
Dealer bought it at an auction!! Arrrgggggggg!~!
Service Dept say's if i change fluids myself they will not be able to prove proper service was done and can not fix things related to the self service.
Motor
drivetrain etc.
What a crock

[bimmerZ]

This is a must read for your grinding problem.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=86605

[Mully911]

Hello All.
I have a 2001 built in jan.
I have a loud clunk when I let up on throttle or down shift sometimes .where are these SIB's . The dealer replaced the rear diff last week and it sounds the same, imbarassing!!
Thanks!
Mully

[zshiek]

sorry to hear.. Remember with any product that is comission based you gotta do your homework.

I wouldnt worry too much about the fluids and etc.. when you decide to sell your car in the future, Just keep your receipts for your personal products and present them with your dealer items.

For the fluids (diff, tranny, brakes, clutch) I would do those myself and save A LOT OF MONEY, if you dont have warranty like my poor ass.

My BIG concern right now would be to make sure YOURSELF that the major recalls, ooops i mean service bulletins have been performed on your engine and all other parts. Fluids is always key since they keep your parts working in order, most of the time.

I rec - mt-90 in tranny
UPgraded DIff fluid with fm booster in diff, duh..
Redline water wetter in radiator (helps cooling)

good luck

[mjfeeney]

FYI on the CPO deal...

I have been reading a thread on Bobistheoilguy.com where some guy bought an E39 CPO, and there is so much sluge in the motor oil it is insane. CPO doesn't mean ANYTHING except a higher price.

[kmurph]

I have a 2001 w/ 68K miles. I had my diff replaced about two years ago. It was leaking fluid. A year later it was leaking fluid again and making a rubbing/grinding noise. I changed the fluid...put in Redline 75W90 which made a big difference... a lot less noisy and much smoother. Then, I took it to the dealer and they replaced driver's side output shaft and did the Diff Service Action. For the most part, the diff has been relatively quiet since then but (more recently) it has started to make some noise in tight turns again. It's not leaking which is good...I'll probably change the fluid in the near future...I'll use Redline again.
I drive the car every day and it's been on the track about a dozen times...the car rarely sits more than a day.

[Red Herring]

stick a banana in there, it'll stop whining, haha