BMW Differential Guide
This is the hub page for the rear differential, also called the final drive, in US-market BMWs. Look up your car in the E-series lookup or the F and G series lookup to see the final drive ratio the BMW parts catalog lists, whether a limited-slip part is listed, which differential oil applies, how much rear differential fluid it takes and, on xDrive models, the transfer case and its fill. The guides below cover oil, limited slip, M differentials, Dynamic Performance Control and the xDrive transfer case in more depth.
The lookups cover cars built up to December 2019, the end of the parts data used for these pages. A blank cell means the source does not state the value. Every value comes from BMW's own parts catalog data or BMW service bulletins.
Quick read
- Coverage: 499 model and engine rows across 79 chassis codes, from the E30 to the G-series, split into an E-series lookup and an F and G series lookup.
- Ratio: shown as the parts catalog lists it; two ratios in one row usually mean manual against automatic or an equipment package, and the cell says which.
- Limited slip: 'Yes' only where a BMW document names a differential lock for the model; other rows say what the parts catalog lists, which is not proof that a given car has it.
- Oil: BMW uses several rear differential oils, named OSP, G1, G3, G4, MSP/A, SAF-XJ and SAF Carbon Mod, with a separate HOC oil for hang-on clutch units.
- Main watch item: the wrong oil in a limited-slip differential, because BMW's bulletins require MSP/A in cars with limited-slip option 209 and SAF-XJ in the E9x M3 and the 1 Series M Coupe.
How to Find Your Differential
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| What does this page cover? | US-market BMW cars and SUVs built from 1990 to December 2019, from the E30 to the G-series, including the M models; motorcycles, MINI and Rolls-Royce are not covered. |
| Where does the final drive ratio come from? | From the final drive part lines in BMW's parts catalog for each model; the unit designation, such as 188L or 215K, is in a separate table from BMW's repair literature. |
| Which BMWs have a limited-slip differential? | BMW documents a differential lock for the E36 M3 (S50), E39 M5, E46 M3, E60 M5, E63 and E64 M6, E82 1 Series M, E85 and E86 Z4 M, the Z3 M with the S54, the E90, E92 and E93 M3, and the F06, F10, F12 and F13 M cars. BMW's oil table also names MSP/A for E36 and Z3 cars with limited-slip option 209. For other cars the lookups say what the parts catalog lists, which is not proof that a given car has it. |
| Which oil goes in the rear differential? | It depends on model and build date: OSP up to the 2011 changeover, G1 or G3 from 07/2011 to 02/2020, MSP/A or SAF-XJ for the limited-slip M cars, and SAF Carbon Mod in the outer chambers of the Dynamic Performance Control differentials. |
| How much rear differential oil does a BMW hold? | The parts catalog lists from 0.52 L to 2.12 L depending on model; the lookups give the figure for each row. |
| Is the rear differential fill for life? | BMW's bulletin says that since 09/97 production the E31, E36 (not the M3 and M Roadster), E38, E39 and E46 use lifetime oil with no oil change needed; the parts catalog tells owners of several M models to follow an oil change interval. |
| Where do I find the transfer case? | xDrive and all-wheel-drive rows in the lookups show the transfer case code and its fill; the xDrive transfer case guide covers each code. |
Final drive ratio: when a row lists two or more ratios, the cell says whether the catalog ties each ratio to an automatic, a manual gearbox, or neither ('no gearbox condition'), and adds any package or date window the catalog states. Check the gearbox and build date of the car before choosing.
Rear fill is the fill quantity in liters from the parts catalog; 'differs by type code' means the catalog lists different values for different type codes of the same model.
Built in the lookups is the US build window in BMW production data: from the later of the US catalog entry date and the production start of the model type, to its production end. 'On' means the parts data ends in December 2019 while production may have continued.
Differential Guides
- BMW differential oil guide: which oil each car group takes, part numbers and the lifetime fill rule
- BMW limited-slip differential guide: kinds of lock, cars with limited-slip parts and the M Performance units
- BMW M differential guide: lock units, ratios and fills for the M cars
- BMW Dynamic Performance Control guide: the three-chamber rear differential in some X5 and X6 models
- BMW xDrive transfer case guide: ATC transfer case codes, fills and front differential fills
Rear Differential Oil by Model Group
BMW's operating fluid bulletin assigns the oil by vehicle group. Hang-on clutch, Dynamic Performance Control and M models have their own entries.
| Car group | Oil | Note |
|---|---|---|
| All other cars, built up to the 2011 changeover | OSP (also named SAF-XO) | BMW gives 06/2011 in its oil matrix and model year 07/2011 in its non-limited-slip enclosure. |
| All other cars, 07/2011 to 02/2020 | Hypoid Axle Oil G1 or G3 | From 03/2020 BMW's matrix lists G5; that is beyond the data used here. |
| E34 M5, E36 M3, E39 M5, E46 M3, E60 M5, E63 and E64 M6, E85 and E86 Z4 M, E36 and Z3 with option 209 | MSP/A | Limited-slip differentials; BMW bulletin 33 02 95 (007) makes MSP/A mandatory with option 209. |
| F06 M6, F10 M5, F12 M6, F13 M6, F80, F82, F83, F87, and F2x and F3x with the M Performance differential lock | MSP/A | |
| E82 1 Series M Coupe, E90, E92 and E93 M3 | SAF-XJ | BMW states that only SAF-XJ is approved for these cars. |
| E70 and E71 with Dynamic Performance Control, F15 and F16 with it, F85 and F86 | SAF Carbon Mod in the outer chambers; OSP or SAF-XO in the centre chamber | The three-chamber differential; see the Dynamic Performance Control guide. |
| F90 M5, F9x, and G-series cars with the M Sport differential (option 2T4) | Hypoid Axle Oil G4 | |
| F39, F40, F44, F45, F46, F48, F49 and MINI F54, F60 | G3 for the rear differential only, and BMW HOC oil for the hang-on clutch | Front-drive based xDrive with a hang-on clutch rear unit. |
Service Parts at a Glance
These are the BMW numbers for the oils named above, checked against BMW's parts catalog (data to December 2019). Container sizes are as BMW lists them.
| Part | BMW number | Status and use |
|---|---|---|
| OSP synthetic differential oil, 1 L | 83 22 2 365 987 | current; replaced the earlier SAF-XO number 33 11 7 695 240, discontinued 12/2017 |
| MSP/A differential oil, 1 L | 83 22 2 365 988 | current; replaced 83 22 9 405 462 (discontinued 07/2018) |
| SAF-XJ rear axle differential oil, 3 x 0.5 L | 83 22 2 282 583 | current; E82 M and E9x M3 |
| Hypoid Axle Oil G1, 3 x 0.5 L | 83 22 2 295 532 | current |
| Hypoid Axle Oil G2, 0.5 L | 83 22 2 413 511 | current; the parts catalog lists it only for the front differential of all-wheel-drive cars; it is not in BMW's 2024 rear differential oil table |
| Hypoid Axle Oil G3, 0.5 L | 83 22 2 413 512 | current |
| Hypoid Axle Oil G4, 0.5 L | 83 22 2 447 362 | current; cars with M Sport differential |
| SAF Carbon Mod differential oil, 0.5 L | 83 12 0 445 832 | current; outer chambers of Dynamic Performance Control units |
| BMW HOC oil, 850 ml | 83 22 2 413 513 | current; hang-on clutch units |
Replacement final drives named in BMW bulletin 00 33 15 01
BMW's bulletin 00 33 15 01 lists replacement rear axle differentials for the E31, E38 and E39 cars built 10/1997 to 12/1997. These are the numbers it names for US-relevant cars and what the parts catalog shows today.
| Car | Number named by BMW | What the parts catalog shows |
|---|---|---|
| E39 540i and 540iA | 33 10 1 428 521 | replaced by 33 10 1 428 576, discontinued 09/2018; no current number in the data |
| E39 540iA with option 204 | 33 10 1 428 519 | replaced by 33 10 1 428 572, current |
| E38 740i and 740iA | 33 10 1 428 513 | replaced by 33 10 1 428 580, current |
| E38 740iA with option 204 | 33 10 1 428 511 | replaced by 33 10 1 428 578, then 33 10 7 500 913, current |
Recalls and Service Bulletins
Only items that a BMW service bulletin or an NHTSA recall supports are listed. NHTSA's recall records were searched for BMW cars with a differential or driveshaft component; the xDrive front driveshaft recalls are on the ATC transfer case guide and the M car driveshaft recalls on the M differential guide.
01 Grinding noise when cornering, M models
BMW bulletin 33 01 02 (850) lists grinding noises from the rear axle at low-speed turns on the E46 M3 (start of production to 12/2003), the E85 and E86 M cars (to 08/2008) and the E90, E92, E93 M3, E60, E61 M5 and E63, E64 M6 (from the start of production). BMW gives the cause as slip-stick between the pad and steel disc of the lock, and the fix as a fill of special oil, part 83 22 2 282 583.
Watch for grinding or chattering from the rear at junctions, parking and roundabouts.
02 Wrong oil in limited-slip differentials
BMW bulletin 33 02 95 (007) says MSP oil must not go into the Z3 Roadster with the limited-slip differential, option 209, and that MSP/A is mandatory there. A second BMW bulletin, 00 27 11 (732), says only SAF-XJ is approved for the E9x M3 and the E82 M Coupe, with a rear differential fill of 1.1 L.
Watch for creaking noises when driving after a wrong fill in a limited-slip differential.
03 Pinion shaft without surface treatment, E31, E38, E39
BMW bulletin 00 33 15 01 says rear differentials built October to December 1997 with the M62 or M73 engine in the E31, E38 and E39 were installed with an untreated pinion shaft, and that early wear and noise can be expected; BMW's fix is to renew the rear differential. NHTSA lists the matching US recall as 98V142000 for 1998 540i, 740i, 740iL and 750iL cars: the pinion shaft lacked its surface hardening, which can lead to noise and, in the end, a broken shaft and loss of drive; dealers replace the whole differential.
Watch for premature wear or noise from the rear axle on an E39 540i, E38 740i or 750i, or E31 840Ci or 850Ci built 10/1997 to 12/1997.
04 Lifetime oil and topping up after a repair
BMW bulletin 33 01 98 (327) says E31, E36 (not M3 or M Roadster), E38, E39 and E46 built from 09/1997 use lifetime differential oil, and that only the level needs correcting after a repair such as sealing; it names OSP for a differential without lock and MSP/A for one with lock.
Watch for a low differential oil level after a seal repair, because topping up with the right oil is the only oil work BMW describes for these cars.
05 X5 M and X6 M service of the three-chamber differential
BMW bulletin 00 60 14 (199) says the F85 X5 M and F86 X6 M differential has three oil chambers with different oils, that only the centre chamber is changed at the running-in check and at every third engine oil service (about 90,000 km), and that the outer chambers are not changed.
Watch for mixed oils if a shop drains the outer chambers; the outer chambers take SAF Carbon Mod and the centre takes SAF-XO.
06 Ring gear bolts, 1999 Z3 (NHTSA 99V272000)
NHTSA recall 99V272000 covers 1999 Z3 cars whose rear differential ring gear bolts may not have been tightened correctly at assembly. A loose bolt can cause noise, and a bolt that comes fully loose can lock the rear axle. Dealers inspect the differential and replace it if it is affected.
Watch for noise from the rear differential on a 1999 Z3 with no record of this recall being done.
07 Rear driveshaft CV joint, 2011 and 2012 cars (NHTSA 17V067000)
NHTSA recall 17V067000 covers 2011 and 2012 135i and 135i Convertible, the 1 Series M Coupe, 2011 Z4 sDrive35i, 335i, 335d, 335is, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo, and 2012 740i and 740Li. The constant velocity joint of the rear driveshaft can fatigue and break, which ends drive to the rear wheels. Dealers inspect the joint and replace it depending on its production date.
Watch for a sudden loss of drive, the risk NHTSA names, and check that the recall was done on these cars.
08 Driveshaft to rear differential joint, 2021 to 2026 cars (NHTSA 26V525000)
NHTSA recall 26V525000, filed in August 2026, covers 2022 to 2026 840i and 840i xDrive, 2021 to 2023 540i, 540i xDrive and M550i xDrive, and 2024 to 2026 750e xDrive cars. The joint between the driveshaft and the rear differential can be damaged, which can cut drive to the rear wheels or let a parked car roll if the parking brake is off. Dealers inspect the joint and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear differential as needed. These model years are later than the parts data in the tables above.
Watch for a recall notice on these cars; BMW planned to mail owners from October 2, 2026.
Common Questions
What oil does a BMW rear differential take?
Most BMWs take OSP up to the 2011 changeover and Hypoid Axle Oil G1 or G3 from 07/2011, while limited-slip M cars take MSP/A, and the E9x M3 and E82 1 Series M take SAF-XJ.
How much oil does a BMW differential hold?
The parts catalog lists from 0.52 L to 2.12 L for the rear differential depending on the model, for example 1.2 L (manual) for the E90 335i and 1.1 L for the E46 M3.
Does my BMW have a limited-slip differential?
BMW documents a differential lock for the E36 M3 (S50), E39 M5, E46 M3, E60 M5, E63 and E64 M6, E82 1 Series M, Z4 M, Z3 M (S54), E9x M3 and the F06, F10, F12 and F13 M cars, and links option 209 to the limited-slip differential on the E36 and Z3; for any other car, check its option list, because the parts catalog lists limited-slip parts that only some cars received.
Do BMW differentials need an oil change?
BMW states that E31, E36 (not the M3 and M Roadster), E38, E39 and E46 cars built from 09/1997 have lifetime fill, while the parts catalog tells M model owners to follow an oil change interval.
What is the final drive ratio of an E90 335i?
The parts catalog lists 3.08 (no gearbox condition, from 09/2006); 3.46 (automatic, from 09/2006) for the E90 335i with the N54 engine, built 09/2006-08/2008.
What do the letters in 188L or 215K mean?
BMW's tables use N for normal drive and K for compact drive, L for a smooth-running unit and LW for a smooth-running unit optimised for efficiency.
Sources
- BMW parts catalog data, final drive, front differential, transfer case and fluid tables, US model types with US catalog entry and production dates, data to December 2019.
- BMW service information 33 01 96 (149), operating fluids for final drives, enclosures 1 to 16, issues 1998 to 07/2024.
- BMW service information 33 01 98 (327), life-time oil; 33 02 95 (007), changeover of differential oils; 33 01 02 (850), grinding noise when cornering; 00 33 15 01, pinion shaft; 00 60 14 (199), X5M and X6M maintenance content.
- BMW repair literature tables 'Rear differential: Assignment to model series' and 'Rear axle final drive: Assignment to model series' for the E36 to the F36.
- BMW repair literature, functional description of rear axle lateral torque distribution (Dynamic Performance Control).
- NHTSA recall records 98V142000, 99V272000, 17V067000 and 26V525000, api.nhtsa.gov recall data (opened October 1, 2026).
Now find the part.
Search by chassis or engine, or browse the whole catalog