XSeries-forum

If it's a pre-facelift then no XDrive.  Up to then it's a fixed 60:40 perm 4x4 ratio.

Richard

It's a facelift, built 07/2004.

Definitely got XDrive then.  It was part of the changes made for the Facelifted version, along with power increases on the diesel and replacement of the 4.6 V8 with the 4.8 V8 and the arrival of the 6-speed gearbox.

Richard

I just had my oil replaced and the part number is B83.22.9.407.858 I have 4.8is 2004.

[quote="greg1980"]
I just had my oil replaced and the part number is B83.22.9.407.858 I have 4.8is 2004.
[/quote]

That's the one I originally found too, but now I'm not sure it's the right one.  Particularly after finding that note on the official BMW parts finder and seeing this picture:



Looking at the discussion in that thread it would suggest that there may be two issues here:

1. BMW Parts catalogue and service information give ambiguous / unclear information.
2. Dealership staff think a car is only xDrive equipped if it has an 'xDrive' badge on it.  Yes BMW really messed up by branding the E70 LCI models 'xDrive'.

When I last spoke to my local dealers parts guy today I told him about the note on the official BMW parts system.  He said that on the service system it asked if the car had xDrive or not and he said no because 'that's only on the new ones'.  I told him I'm pretty sure all facelift E53's have xDrive which would match up with the note on the parts system referring to E53's before 09/03 without xDrive.  He said he will see what the service system says if he selects yes for xDrive and will let me know tomorrow.

Was it a main dealer who serviced your 4.8is or an indy?

:noexpression:

Independent but I had the oil from BMW, my mate works in Berry Chiswick and he always source me the parts.

99% sure the my x5 has xdrive.

http://www.bmminiparts.com/DiagramView.aspx?DiagramId=154713&MOSP=47744

part number 12 would suggest that, anyway I would purchase the oil from Bmw it is only £10 and have a peace of mind.

If you need a good mechanic in middlsex let me know.

I just checked pre facelift and facelift transfer case, and both of them using the same oil and same quantity. 

I think I'm going the other way on this.  I've been digging in to TIS tonight.

First a description of when cars became equipped with xDrive as standard:



This matches with the parts catalog note that the Dex III oil is only for the E53 up to 09/03 which are the pre-xDrive models.

Then under SI fluids there is an entry for the transfer box:



That's pretty much convinced me that JamieX5 is correct and 83220397244 is the stuff to use.  I think maybe the parts guys don't pay too much attention to detail or maybe they are using RealOEM  :noexpression:

Greg - if you have a facelift car with xDrive (the ATC500 transfer box) then I'd get the fluid changed again.  The local dealers parts guy called me back today and said he'd checked out the service information and agrees that 83220397244 is the correct stuff for this box.

I did have a quick look at the realoeam and this what it has come up with

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=FA92&mospid=47744&btnr=27_0020&hg=27&fg=05

Honestly, that is not the correct information.  As I showed you above for cars with xDrive 83220397244 is the correct fluid.  After showing them the service bulletins my dealers parts department agrees too.

Look in BMW's official parts catalogue.  It has a note that the fluid you describe is only for cars up to 09/2003 without xDrive.

You don't have to listen, if you are happy with what you have then fine I'm just trying to save you and others from potential early clutch failure in your transfer box.  Who knows it might work fine and they are just trying to sell us overpriced fluid but at a couple of thousand pounds for a new transfer box I'd rather not take the chance.

JF1980 is right...

Could you forward me that bulletin or link to it. I want fill it up with the correct fluid but BMW Insist that they gave me the correct fluid as they have done the search by VIN number.

All bmw cars with x-drive system are using same fluid, its shell tf0870, you will find this at the bottom of transfer unit, well...all bmw's, porsche cayenne, vw taureg, nissan patrol, land rovers are using same stuff, its SHELL TF 0870 which for bmw oem no 83220397244...