Fluid - Differential: Application and ID

Synthetic Oils for Final Drives:

All models are factory filled with a synthetic final drive oil. With the introduction of the Z3 roadster a new synthetic final drive oil for all vehicles with a multi-plate limited-slip differential was released.

The new BMW final drive oil SAF-XJ replaces the old final drive oil SAF-XLS.

The SAF-XLS final drive oil (if still in BMW center stock) is not to be used in the final drive of Z3 roadster or M5 (S62) models with multi-plate limited-slip differentials.

Use only the SAF-XJ in the final drive of Z3 roadster and M5 models with multi-plate limited-slip differentials.

Note:

The M5 requires a final drive oil change at the 1200 mile service.

Mineral based final drive oils are no longer recommended due to the release of synthetic final drive oils for all vehicles with or without limited-slip differentials.

Any current BMW center stock of the old SAF-XLS differential oil can be used in all vehicles with a multi-plate limited-slip differential except Z3 roadster and M5 models.

Note:

If a non limited-slip differential oil is used in a limited-slip differential a whining or chattering sound can be heard on very tight turns and will eventually result in a failure of the differential.

These oils are available under the following part numbers:

Description:

BMW Synthetic Final Drive Oil SAF-XO
P/N 83 22 9 407 768
(without multi-plate limited-slip differential, or with viscous differential lock (325iX/iXA)

BMW Synthetic Final Drive Oil SAF-XJ
P/N 83 22 1 470 080
(with multi-plate limited-slip differential)