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lutze · 04-30-2012, 04:57 PM

I brought up the conversation over at bimmerforums as well, but my shop is telling me that my rear diff is toast and they need to replace it. It's on a 2004 325 sedan with an SMG; I've not heard of differentials failing at 60k miles so it shocked me that this would be the case.

How common a problem is it at low miles? Further, how long would you estimate it taking for a problem like this to develop? There was a leak at the pinion seal that started the investigation, but I can't be sure how full (or empty) it was for how long, and while I've only had it about 4 months and 7,400 miles, I'm 1.4k miles outside the dealer's warranty on it so I'm not sure they're going to do much to help.

04-30-2012, 04:57 PM	#1
lutze Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 17 My Ride: 2004 E46 325i View My Garage	Uncommon for diff to brick at 60k miles? I brought up the conversation over at bimmerforums as well, but my shop is telling me that my rear diff is toast and they need to replace it. It's on a 2004 325 sedan with an SMG; I've not heard of differentials failing at 60k miles so it shocked me that this would be the case. How common a problem is it at low miles? Further, how long would you estimate it taking for a problem like this to develop? There was a leak at the pinion seal that started the investigation, but I can't be sure how full (or empty) it was for how long, and while I've only had it about 4 months and 7,400 miles, I'm 1.4k miles outside the dealer's warranty on it so I'm not sure they're going to do much to help. Last edited by lutze; 04-30-2012 at 05:00 PM.