Differential Came loose/snapped

aacabriolet · 07-21-2009, 01:45 PM

Ok so there I was going for a drive and all of a sudden WHAM..

Hear something come loose and it turns out to be the differential that's fuxz0rd out.. Couldn't even move the car forward or back.. Back wheels were just locked..

What a mission getting it off the flatbed tow-truck.. Getting it up was "easy".. Dude just attached the cable and yanked the thing up there (after a profound snap came from the differential area, loosening the wheel "lock")

Odometer: 2995 km +- 1861 miles

Is it possible a few wheelspins (over a period of time) could cause this?

The car is still brand new and I really do respect my car.. Sure I hit a few wheelspins every now and again, but I never push my car out of it's limits.. I thought that's how a BMW is meant to be driven?

Could it have anything to do with the fact that it didn't have a post break-in service?

I've read many people on these forums (in the States) have this on their US cars, but when I spoke to my salesman here after I reached my 2000km break in period he laughed at me saying that these are "new-age" cars and oil change etc. is not needed...

Maybe differential fluid was low or something? Apparently they supposed to check that during post-break-in service. Or maybe it was leaking?

Or maybe just a freak malfunction?

zamm3k · 07-21-2009, 02:17 PM

I vote for freak malfunction. Specially if your car is that new. Thats just came bad from factory. I'm sure they'll replace it. Good luck! Keep us posted!

randomquickness · 07-21-2009, 02:19 PM

freak malfunction for sure...people thrash on these cars everdyday and I haven't heard of this happening until now.

jeremyc74 · 07-21-2009, 02:31 PM

I'd say this was a rare incident. The 335i uses basically the same driveline, so the componenents are pretty well proven. I'd guess they'll replace yours and that will be the end of it.

aacabriolet · 07-21-2009, 02:58 PM

Hmm although I have the 120i Vert and not the 135i, I still feel this shouldn't have happened.. As far as I know it's not the same e-diff that the 135i has, but still should be able to handle a few wheelspins here and there??

Will keep you guys posted..

Couldn't find anything related to this here.. I did follow all break-in procedures strictly so I wouldn't put it down to that..

Crap thing is I'll have to break-in the new diff when it gets put in :/

Thanks for the replies!

Some pics:

Lester · 07-21-2009, 04:29 PM

Bad luck, keep us updated.

larryn · 07-21-2009, 05:52 PM

Aftermarket stripes. Denied service.

aacabriolet · 07-22-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryn

Aftermarket stripes. Denied service.

Haha nah no problem. They were quite excited to see my black grills too

x5mad · 07-22-2009, 03:46 AM

I love those Tii graphics/stripes on the car. Works very well with the Alpine White.

Extremely bad luck indeed with the differential. Hope it gets sorted pronto.

aacabriolet · 07-30-2009, 03:08 PM

Hey guys just thought i'd let you know I got the car back a day and a half after I took it in!

They replaced the differential with a new one, said they didn't know why it did that, sent it to BMW South Africa for analysis...

New differential cost BMW about R20 000 which is about $2500 excluding labour.. Luckily it's still on motor plan so it was free

So now I'm running in the new diff again! For another 2000 km

Do I still have to maintain the rev limit (no greater than 4500rpm) or just the speed limit (no more than 160km/h) ?

Thanks!

& thanks for all the comforting messages

haha

Formel1 · 07-30-2009, 06:31 PM

That's not a good sign...maybe that's why the pulled out of F1...:O Sorry to hear about your troubles mate, and hopefully they put together a rear-end for you this time...cheers

cagekicker · 07-31-2009, 06:50 PM

that is definately unusual.

RPM90 · 07-31-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formel1

That's not a good sign...maybe that's why the pulled out of F1...:O Sorry to hear about your troubles mate, and hopefully they put together a rear-end for you this time...cheers

They pulled out of F1, because a freak break down on a 1 series happened?

I don't think so.

A rear diff grenading is not a good sign? I'd say.
That's a major understatement.

aacabriolet · 08-01-2009, 02:14 AM

Yeah hmm.. Doesn't sound good at all..

The only explanation is that the 120i Vert differential is much weaker than the 135i/128i of the US?

Which means I cant do any wheelspins or launch the car anymore.. sigh

Choclove23 · 08-11-2009, 12:55 AM

Hey dude, me too!
Well, not as bad.
It's good to see that there's someone else here with diff dramas.

I'm trying to sell mine, but found out today, during the mechanical test, that the prop shaft has ~15 deg of play in the diff. I guess that means they might not buy it now.

The car has only done 12800kms, so it surely not a wear issue. It was like that when I bought it 11 months ago, but the BMW service place never mentioned it during the service.

Apparently the extra play/clicking has been loosening the bolts on the prop shaft, which is a Roadworthy issue.

Lucky thing I purchased a 5 yr New Car Warranty when I bought the car, so they'll have to change it for free.

07-21-2009, 01:45 PM	#1
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Differential Came loose/snapped Ok so there I was going for a drive and all of a sudden WHAM.. Hear something come loose and it turns out to be the differential that's fuxz0rd out.. Couldn't even move the car forward or back.. Back wheels were just locked.. What a mission getting it off the flatbed tow-truck.. Getting it up was "easy".. Dude just attached the cable and yanked the thing up there (after a profound snap came from the differential area, loosening the wheel "lock") Odometer: 2995 km +- 1861 miles Is it possible a few wheelspins (over a period of time) could cause this? The car is still brand new and I really do respect my car.. Sure I hit a few wheelspins every now and again, but I never push my car out of it's limits.. I thought that's how a BMW is meant to be driven? Could it have anything to do with the fact that it didn't have a post break-in service? I've read many people on these forums (in the States) have this on their US cars, but when I spoke to my salesman here after I reached my 2000km break in period he laughed at me saying that these are "new-age" cars and oil change etc. is not needed... Maybe differential fluid was low or something? Apparently they supposed to check that during post-break-in service. Or maybe it was leaking? Or maybe just a freak malfunction?
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07-21-2009, 02:17 PM	#2
zamm3k Bla! 82 Rep 909 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (4)	I vote for freak malfunction. Specially if your car is that new. Thats just came bad from factory. I'm sure they'll replace it. Good luck! Keep us posted! __________________ ......................::.........................
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07-21-2009, 02:19 PM	#3
randomquickness Brigadier General 219 Rep 3,668 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (13)	freak malfunction for sure...people thrash on these cars everdyday and I haven't heard of this happening until now. __________________
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07-21-2009, 02:31 PM	#4
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I'd say this was a rare incident. The 335i uses basically the same driveline, so the componenents are pretty well proven. I'd guess they'll replace yours and that will be the end of it.
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07-21-2009, 02:58 PM	#5
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Hmm although I have the 120i Vert and not the 135i, I still feel this shouldn't have happened.. As far as I know it's not the same e-diff that the 135i has, but still should be able to handle a few wheelspins here and there?? Will keep you guys posted.. Couldn't find anything related to this here.. I did follow all break-in procedures strictly so I wouldn't put it down to that.. Crap thing is I'll have to break-in the new diff when it gets put in :/ Thanks for the replies! Some pics:
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07-21-2009, 04:29 PM	#6
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Bad luck, keep us updated.
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07-21-2009, 05:52 PM	#7
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Aftermarket stripes. Denied service.
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07-22-2009, 03:46 AM	#9
x5mad Lieutenant Colonel 352 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: iX 40 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List bmw [0.00]	I love those Tii graphics/stripes on the car. Works very well with the Alpine White. Extremely bad luck indeed with the differential. Hope it gets sorted pronto.
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07-30-2009, 03:08 PM	#10
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Hey guys just thought i'd let you know I got the car back a day and a half after I took it in! They replaced the differential with a new one, said they didn't know why it did that, sent it to BMW South Africa for analysis... New differential cost BMW about R20 000 which is about $2500 excluding labour.. Luckily it's still on motor plan so it was free So now I'm running in the new diff again! For another 2000 km Do I still have to maintain the rev limit (no greater than 4500rpm) or just the speed limit (no more than 160km/h) ? Thanks! & thanks for all the comforting messages haha
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07-30-2009, 06:31 PM	#11
Formel1 Second Lieutenant 47 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Winter Park, FL iTrader: (1)	That's not a good sign...maybe that's why the pulled out of F1...:O Sorry to hear about your troubles mate, and hopefully they put together a rear-end for you this time...cheers
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07-31-2009, 06:50 PM	#12
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	that is definately unusual. __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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08-01-2009, 02:14 AM	#14
aacabriolet Major 118 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: '14 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SA iTrader: (0)	Yeah hmm.. Doesn't sound good at all.. The only explanation is that the 120i Vert differential is much weaker than the 135i/128i of the US? Which means I cant do any wheelspins or launch the car anymore.. sigh
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08-11-2009, 12:55 AM	#15
Choclove23 Infrequent Browser 23 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 130i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 130i M Sport [10.00]	Hey dude, me too! Well, not as bad. It's good to see that there's someone else here with diff dramas. I'm trying to sell mine, but found out today, during the mechanical test, that the prop shaft has ~15 deg of play in the diff. I guess that means they might not buy it now. The car has only done 12800kms, so it surely not a wear issue. It was like that when I bought it 11 months ago, but the BMW service place never mentioned it during the service. Apparently the extra play/clicking has been loosening the bolts on the prop shaft, which is a Roadworthy issue. Lucky thing I purchased a 5 yr New Car Warranty when I bought the car, so they'll have to change it for free. __________________ The Blackmobile Black 130i M Sport; 18" Oz Ultraleggra; 225/40 & 245/35.
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