BMW Z4 E85 Differential Oil Change

A quick DIY video on how to change differential oil on an E85/E86 Z4 BMW.
BimmerZen assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. BimmerZen recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of BimmerZen , no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not BimmerZen.

[@nornibres]

Thats the problem when people don't pass along service history, that oil was clean. Thanks for the vid.

[@vitaliypchannel2707]

on 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si I did not have a drain plug, so I used 2 liquid hand pumps from FCP euro so as not to cross contaminate the oil. Took a little while to make sure I got the liquid out. But it worked like a charm. Your video gave me strength to get it done on my own, much appreciated.

[@newbeginnings8566]

Great video and interesting to see how you can get a lot of KMs out of a well looked after car. I have just purchased a BMW Z4 E89 - Only 70,000km but I will do engine oil/filter change, manual gearbox oil change and differential oil change.

[@BimmerZen]

Congrats! Yeah, these engines are great, they can take a lot of miles. However, I will have to replace the rubber flex disk and some rubber diff mountings in the near future. They have cracks and I can feel some play when shifting in low gears...

[@ron8566]

Is it ok to reuse the same plugs or should they be replaced with new plugs. I’ve read about this both ways. Thanks for another great video.

[@BimmerZen]

I reused them, but if you want to give yourself the best chance of preventing a future leak, then replace them.

[@tylerhaknuman1217]

I need to do mine too . 2005 might even have the oil from the factory 😂😂😂.

[@hanynowsky]

Great video as always. Beautiful car. Have you noticed any difference when you serviced your differential.? Febi is great.

[@BimmerZen]

Tnx! To be honest i didn't notice any difference:)

[@EndersGamingX]

I have a 2003 bmw z4 m54b30. Was wondering if I should use the same gear oil viscosity you used, and if you recommend using gear oil with or without the anti-slip additive

[@BimmerZen]

I don't have any special knowledge about diff oils to give you a proper advice, so the only thing I can recommend is using the factory recommended oil. In my case it was the 75W90 gear oil. You most probably don't need anti slip additives unless you have a LSD with clutches.

[@gregorytolson4621]

Hey, i noticed you used 75w-90. All of the gear oils im seeing Liqui Moly or Redline recommends is 75w-140. Why did you not go with that? I have a 2003 3.0i z4

[@BimmerZen]

I have a normal Z4 2.5 M54B25 car, so it has a "normal" rear diff which takes normal 75W-90 oil. I think 75W-140 is specified only for Z4 E85/E86 M models, which have a different - more sporty - rear diff. This is my source: www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e85-z4-2.5i-roa/repair-manuals/33-rear-axle-rear-wheel-drive-guide/33-00-rear-axle-rear-wheel-drive-guide/1VnczONFlo

[@BimmerZen]

I think that earlier BMW diffs (up to 2006) have roller bearings that require thinner oil. Later variants use ball bearings and thus require thicker oil.

[@danielsteinmetz]

The thicker oil isn't needed. Keep in mind thicker also means aging faster. Kinda compare if ppl would recommend 20W60 for motor oil. Higher isnt always better.

[@carlosa.fernandezcampos243]

Good job! Very clear explanation! Thanks.

[@elreparador1]

Buenos días desde España!!. ¿Qué par de apriete tiene el tornillo de vaciado y el de entrada?. Gracias. What is the tightening torque of the drain screw and the inlet screw? Thanks.

[@BimmerZen]

65Nm for plugs with sealing ring, 60 Nm for plugs with orings.

[@String999999]

i advise you to raise the front end as well, and make the car level. you raised the back end and overfilled differential. that can cause failure of seals because of over pressure while hot.

[@BimmerZen]

I know that, that's why i lowered the car to horizontal position and just let the excess oil drain out before putting back the filling plug. I think it should be ok.

[@MicrosoftPowerBoost]

Thanks !

[@zsb79]

I'd be interested. BMW z4(E85) n46b20b ,6 speed (2006) 1.Motor oil type(4.25L / 5-30 LL4) 2.gear oil type ( ? ,?) liter? 3.differential oil type( ? ,?) liter? thanks...

[@BimmerZen]

2. Manual transmission oil: MTF LT-3 75W-80 (83222339221) 1.6 L 3. Final drive oil: SAF-XO 75W-90 (83222365987) 0.85 L

[@zsb79]

@@BimmerZen 😃😜

[@zsb79]

@@BimmerZen Final oil :Transmax Axle(long life)75w90( Non-Limited Slip Rear Axies).Good or not?? Thanks..

[@AchimReinhardt1]

Danke!

[@petrovconjugodecascada2261]

En la caja automática es recomendado usar Valvoline atf Max life para la caja zf 5hp19?

[@petrovconjugodecascada2261]

Es pregunta

[@BimmerZen]

I don't know exactly but this BMW document www.bimmerboard.com/members/ripp222/original/Operating%20Fluids%20-%20Complete.pdf states that ESSO LT 71141, BMW Part No. 83 22 9 407 807 should be used. Spec sheet of Valvoline MULTI-VEHICLE ATF states that is is suitable for ESSO LT 71141 and ZF 5 speed transmissions.

[@petrovconjugodecascada2261]

@@BimmerZen no me dedcarga

[@BimmerZen]

@@petrovconjugodecascada2261 try now.

[@petrovconjugodecascada2261]

@@BimmerZen gracias

[@Desmodromic916]

You had to lower the car before putting the drain plug back on, in order to let the more oil drain.

[@BimmerZen]

Yes, I say that in the video, but unfortunately i did not record it.

[@Desmodromic916]

@@BimmerZen Sorry I didnt notice. Good job than!

[@geheimgeheimer1907]

Ist das nicht was dünn das Öl... Meines Wissens kommt da ne andere Viskosität rein

[@viktortamaga5512]

Muss dünn sein aller Differentialöl und Getriebeöl ist so.

[@gobananas4198]

Link for oil pump and hosing? Any ideas for torque settings for the two plugs?.

[@BimmerZen]

Check out this documentatiton: www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e85-z4-2.5i-roa/repair-manuals/33-rear-axle-rear-wheel-drive-guide/33-10-rear-axle-final-drive/E4jY3pq This is for 2004 2.5i version: - oil fill and drain plug with sealing ring: 65 Nm - oil filler and oil drain plugs with O-ring on cover / housing: 60 Nm

[@joseperso]

Thank

[@viktortamaga5512]

Köszönöm👍

[@jozsefmenus9811]

Thank you.