DIFF & GEARBOX OIL

[Rob M]

So my car just about to clock up 60,000 miles.
Thought a good time to change manual gearbox and diff oils. I have OEM part numbers from my local BMW dealer but does anyone recommend other brands as lots come up as a cross reference when I Google the OEM part numbers. Is it worth going for something like Opie Oils or a good brand or pay twice the price and get BMW OEM?
Also any ideas what this costs on average for specialist or main dealer to perform?
My local specialist quoted £345.00 plus cost of oils plus VAT but this was for engine oil, brake and cooland fluid too.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

The guy on youtube M539 Restorations seems to be one the best car maintenance guys out there. He uses ‘Liqui Moli’

Post some of the part numbers, seems like a good idea and something I would also like to get done.

 

[B21]

BMW OEM brand would be waste of money..Opie can recommend options according to your wallet..at the end of the day these are not highly stressed units so almost any oils meetig BMW spec would be OK..

People like Fuchs, Redline make some of the best but then most expensive oils...

A 50k gearbox / diff oil change is prudent..change engine oils every year or 8k miles whichever comes first and with a good filter you can't go far wrong..

 

[flybobbie]

Best oil i have used in gearbox, to reduce notchyness Redline MT-LV.
Buy 2 quarts just about enough with touch left over when i use an electric pump to pump it in.

I used Fuchs in the diff.

 

[Oilyfingers]

As my 2.3 with manual box has done 75000km I changed the oil as well recently.
Used Castrol Transmax Axle LL 75W90 and Castrol Syntrans B 75W
It took me about half an hour.
The old oil came out like new btw.

 

[warmasice]

Interesting topic. Following with interest re. Gearbox and diff fluid.

 

[Nictrix]

Our indy said they couldnt change the oil in the rear diff of our old 23i as it didnt have drain plug.

 

[Oilyfingers]

It needs to be sucked out through the filler hole. I used a big oil syringe with a small hose.
Messy but you can get most of it out that way

 

[Rob M]

Thanks for the recomends guys, I'll look into it but will definately be sorting in addition to usual engine/filter change I do yearly anyway.