Z4MC Differential Oil

43Hilton · 06-30-2023, 11:09 AM

I am getting a Z4MC in a couple of weeks. I don't know the service history so I plan to change all the fluids. One issue I need help with is the differential fluid.

From what I read, I need to use gear oil that does not have any friction modifiers. The diff does not currently groan or click. OEM gear oil w/o FM is part no. 83-22-1-467-993. The problem is it looks like BMW discontinued the part and I cannot find any manufacturer that makes a substitute.

The only thing I can find is gear oil with FM, part no. 83-22-2-282-583. My understanding is if I use a gear oil with FM, the LSD may click or groan if I ever use a gear oil w/o FM.

Can anyone confirm if I am correct about the use of FM in the diff? Has anyone been able to find a diff oil without FM?

If I can't get diff oil w/o FM anymore, I may just leave the old fluid in.

Sorry if this topic has been beat to death, but I could not find anything recent. I only found old posts when gear oil without FM was still made.

3002 tii · 06-30-2023, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 43Hilton

I am getting a Z4MC in a couple of weeks. I don't know the service history so I plan to change all the fluids. One issue I need help with is the differential fluid.

From what I read, I need to use gear oil that does not have any friction modifiers. The diff does not currently groan or click. OEM gear oil w/o FM is part no. 83-22-1-467-993. The problem is it looks like BMW discontinued the part and I cannot find any manufacturer that makes a substitute.

The only thing I can find is gear oil with FM, part no. 83-22-2-282-583. My understanding is if I use a gear oil with FM, the LSD may click or groan if I ever use a gear oil w/o FM.

Can anyone confirm if I am correct about the use of FM in the diff? Has anyone been able to find a diff oil without FM?

If I can't get diff oil w/o FM anymore, I may just leave the old fluid in.

Sorry if this topic has been beat to death, but I could not find anything recent. I only found old posts when gear oil without FM was still made.

The FM really isn’t required. It was only standard after enough customers complained but you can simply add FM separately:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/lim...fier-4oz-80301

I believe the ratio of FM to fluid is ~5%

Westersund · 07-09-2023, 02:57 AM

You can chose any 75W-140 oil as long as it contain LSD additives.

grannyknot · 07-09-2023, 05:19 AM

This is what you want, https://www.ecstuning.com/b-castrol-.../001989520310/

As I understand it, the FM was needed for the break in period only.

Westersund · 07-09-2023, 02:36 PM

The FM was added because many people complained about the noise the diff would make driving around parking lots. The diff would make noise because the friction plates locked/unloaded during low speed tight cornering. The added FM makes the diff works less efficient during spirited/track driving, I would not use it.

06-30-2023, 11:09 AM	#1
43Hilton New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Z4MC Differential Oil I am getting a Z4MC in a couple of weeks. I don't know the service history so I plan to change all the fluids. One issue I need help with is the differential fluid. From what I read, I need to use gear oil that does not have any friction modifiers. The diff does not currently groan or click. OEM gear oil w/o FM is part no. 83-22-1-467-993. The problem is it looks like BMW discontinued the part and I cannot find any manufacturer that makes a substitute. The only thing I can find is gear oil with FM, part no. 83-22-2-282-583. My understanding is if I use a gear oil with FM, the LSD may click or groan if I ever use a gear oil w/o FM. Can anyone confirm if I am correct about the use of FM in the diff? Has anyone been able to find a diff oil without FM? If I can't get diff oil w/o FM anymore, I may just leave the old fluid in. Sorry if this topic has been beat to death, but I could not find anything recent. I only found old posts when gear oil without FM was still made.
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07-09-2023, 02:57 AM	#3
Westersund Captain 500 Rep 876 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hallstahammar iTrader: (1)	You can chose any 75W-140 oil as long as it contain LSD additives. __________________ BMW M2 LCI -18 \| BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12 \| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 \| BMW M3 -02 \| BMW Z3 Coupe -99 \| BMW 740i/6 -96 \| BMW M5 3.8 -92 \| BMW M535i -87
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07-09-2023, 05:19 AM	#4
grannyknot Captain 952 Rep 781 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4M coupe Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	This is what you want, https://www.ecstuning.com/b-castrol-.../001989520310/ As I understand it, the FM was needed for the break in period only. __________________ 2008 E86 M coupe
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07-09-2023, 02:36 PM	#5
Westersund Captain 500 Rep 876 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hallstahammar iTrader: (1)	The FM was added because many people complained about the noise the diff would make driving around parking lots. The diff would make noise because the friction plates locked/unloaded during low speed tight cornering. The added FM makes the diff works less efficient during spirited/track driving, I would not use it. __________________ BMW M2 LCI -18 \| BMW 520DA Touring M-Sport -12 \| BMW Z4 M Coupe -06 \| BMW M3 -02 \| BMW Z3 Coupe -99 \| BMW 740i/6 -96 \| BMW M5 3.8 -92 \| BMW M535i -87
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