BMW E39 M5: Differential Fluid Change DIY

This DIY demonstrates how to change the differential fluid on your 2000-2003 BMW E39 M5 sedan. BMW calls this fluid a 'lifetime' fluid. No such thing exists. I recommend you change the diff fluid every 30,000 miles.
Parts:
(2) Drain/fill plug: 33117525064
(2) Drain/fill plug washer: 07119963355
(2 Liters) Full-synthetic 75w140 differential fluid WITH LSD additive
Torque:
Drain/fill plug: 45nm ~ 33lb/ft
BMW PARTS:
bit.ly/2MPZSB3
E39Source website: www.e39source.com
Help support E39Source by donating: www.e39source.c...

[@busterjones2947]

Excellent video that drain plug is hard to get to. I used ramps and their method of removing the drain plug and had to use a cheater on the end wrench. I have done a number of diff fluid changes on various cars using the hand pump. Its a mess. The following is a fluid pump method I used that worked great and is much faster and cleaner than using a hand pump. If you have access to a air compressor. Use this at your own risk and capabilities and understanding of compressed air and partially closed containers and potential dangers. Run tubing through the screw on container cap (drill hole diameter of tubing a tight fit is good) run tubing to bottom of container and leave enough tubing outside to reach fill hole. Insert the air gun barrel (small diameter) into top area of contaner. With fluid in the container and the tubing in the fill hole use the trigger on the air gun to carefully intermittently puff low pressure into the container. Be careful to control the pressure. The fluid will be pushed up the tubing into the fill hole. Small Air leaks may occur that's ok as long as they are not huge. This is a much faster simpler and easier way to pump fluids. It took me 10 minutes to rig up the pump. Again be safe and do not do this unless you are familier with the hazards of compressed air in partially closed containers and have a means to conrol application of the air ( like trigger or valve that controls the air flow).

[@bigtex144]

"Gudentite" XD My favorite torque measurement for a long time has been "it's-not-going-to-fall-out Nm of torque" but this is a very close second

[@jjoeabhn2526]

On the new cars u dont have the drain bolt but u can remowe one of the cover bolts and drill it with a 8mm bitt and just but a crush washer on the bolt now u have a drain

[@crherniman]

One of those things that is a lot easier with a lift. I did mine an used the ECS drain plug. Now I can just get a wrench on it. I think it was like 18-19 bucks

[@cienkins]

Wow, good pump :O

[@Hayden-ib3ju]

Does the 530i e39 need friction modifier?

[@Corex91]

no, it dosent have LSD

[@E39Source]

No, the 530i does not have an LSD.