Z4 e89 diff replacement

[gnl]

So I too seem to have a diff noise with a Z4.

I’ve just got the car, 2009 30 sdrive. There a shooshing noise from the back of the cabin. I thought prob wheel bearing or diff but reading other reports am pretty sure it’s the diff. There’s no whine just a shoosh a bit like brake discs rubbing (except I’m sure it’s not). Doesn’t change with direction or with load either really. And seems louder once the car has been running for a while. Sound like the diff bearing?

If so anyone any idea of costs to repair/replace. I’ve seen on on eBay offering reconditioned units for £575. I’ve also heard of a place who will fit new bearing to mine for about £250 but yet to confirm. Anyone any experience of this and offer advice on the best and most cost effective way to do it. Don’t fancy just replacing with a used diff as would be worried about getting one with the same prob.

I have to take the car in to bmw for a safety recall anyway so plan to get them to take a look and confirm the problem before I go ahead but suspect I won’t be asking them to fix it....!

What do you reckon?

 

[gnl]

Should have said, if relevant it’s done 45000 miles.....

 

[gnl]

Quick update. Booked it into bmw for safety recall work and asked them to look at diff while it was in. Said it would be £120 for up to an hour of inspection work. I declined! Went to a local gearbox specialist who had a drive and agreed it was the diff. Said they should be able to fit new bearings to the diff for £525 plus vat. Said they’d done a lot of the smaller engine Z4 but not a 30 before. Think I’m going to go ahead. How does that price sound to others?

 

[Gabz]

I paid a lot more for diff bearings at a BMW specialist:

33-609-005 Pinion Bearing Rear 44.6x94.8x30.2 S 48 1x £182.54
33-609-006 Pinion Bearing Front 36.7x76.2x29.5 S 0 1x £32.19
33-928-002 Hi-Perf. Side Bearing 50x100x20 S 0 2x £112.14 = £224.28
33-009-536 Pinion Shaft Seal 50x78x10/15 S 0 1x £8.95
33-000-657 Pinion Crush Tube S 0 1x £6.67

Labour = £360.00
Parts = £454.63
Total = £814.63


+VAT

Glad you got a better price!

 

[iks]

Did you manage to find a solution for the shooshing sound from the rear?

 

[mcbutler]

STOP before you go any further check the propshaft centre support bearing, only around £50 might save you a small fortune..

 

[Spawny lad]

I had the noise on mine only on over run.
There was 3 months warranty 3.0 2010 i took back to dealer and they sent me to a garage they use.
The diff was rebuilt but is not silent they rebuilt and fitted twice at a diff specialist who said it was common the invoice to dealer was about 900 i think.
Ps 52 k miles.
That was about 4 weeks back

 

[alanarg]

Hey, how's it going?

Sorry to revive this post, I just got a BMW Z4 E89 '09 sDrive 30i with 100k miles and it has the exact same noise you mentioned. Took it to a fine mechanic and he's quite sure it's the diff.

Could you solve your issue? Thanks for any update