BMW M Differential Guide
BMW's repair literature names a differential lock for most M cars from the E36 M3 to the F10 M5, and the hardware changed over time: a 210 lock unit in the E36 M3 (S50), a 215 lock unit in the E39 M5, the variable M differential lock in the E46 M3, the 215 lock unit in the E60 M5 and E9x M3, and the controlled lock, marketed as the Active M Differential, on the F10 M5 and the F06, F12 and F13 M6. This page lists each M car with its unit, ratio, fill and oil.
Part of the BMW differential guide. To look up a particular car, use the E-series lookup or the F and G series lookup.
Quick read
- Which cars: the M3, M5, M6, M2, M4, Z4 M and 1 Series M Coupe listed below, from the E34 M5 to the F90 M5.
- Oil: MSP/A for most M cars and SAF-XJ for the E82 M and the E9x M3.
- Fill: 1.0 L to 1.9 L depending on the car; the E9x M3 takes 1.1 L, which BMW states in its SAF-XJ bulletin.
- Service: the parts catalog notes an oil change interval for the E60 M5, E63 and E64 M6, E82 1 Series M, E9x M3, F10 M5, F12 and F13 M6 and the F80, F82 and F83, and a lifetime fill for the E39 M5, Z4 M, F87 M2 and F90 M5.
- Main watch item: grinding noise when cornering, covered by BMW bulletin 33 01 02 (850).
M Differential At a Glance
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Which M car has which differential? | The table below gives the unit BMW names for each: 210 with lock (E36 M3 S50, Z4 M S54), 210N with variable M differential lock (E46 M3), 215 with lock (E39 M5, E60 M5, E9x M3, E82 M), and 220M with controlled lock (F06, F10, F12, F13 M cars). |
| What is the Active M Differential? | BMW's press office describes it as an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential on the F10 M5 that varies locking between 0 and 100 percent. |
| Which oil? | MSP/A for E34 M5, E36 M3, E39 M5, E46 M3, E60 M5, E63 and E64 M6, Z4 M and the F06, F10, F12, F13, F80, F82, F83 and F87 cars; SAF-XJ for E82 M and E90, E92 and E93 M3; G4 for the F90 M5. |
M Models by Chassis
| Model | Built | BMW unit | Ratio | Rear fill | Rear oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z3 M (S52) | 02/1998-07/2000 | 3.23 | 1.4 or 1.7 L (differs by type code) | MSP/A with limited-slip differential, OSP | |
| Z3 M (S54) | 02/2001-05/2002 | 3.15 | 1.4 L | MSP/A with limited-slip differential, OSP | |
| E30 M3 (S14) | 03/1987-12/1990 | 4.10 (25% lock part) | 1.7 L | no rear oil line listed | |
| E34 M5 3.6 (S38) | 12/1989-04/1993 | 3.73 (no gearbox condition, from 07/1991); 3.91 (no gearbox condition, to 07/1991) | 1.9 L | no rear oil line listed | |
| E36 M3 (S50) | 12/1993-01/1996 | 210 with differential lock | 3.15 (manual); 3.23 (automatic) | 1.7 L | MSP/A |
| E36 M3 3.2 (S52) | 04/1996-08/1999 | 3.23 (manual, from 04/1996); 3.38 (automatic, from 09/1996) | 1.3 L | MSP/A | |
| E39 M5 (S62) | 09/1999-06/2003 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 | 1.6 L | MSP/A |
| E46 M3 (S54) | 02/2001-08/2006 | 210N with variable M differential lock | 3.62 | 1.1 L | MSP/A |
| E60 M5 (S85) | 09/2005-12/2009 | 215 with differential lock | 3.62 | 1.1 L | MSP/A |
| E63 M6 (S85) | 03/2006-07/2010 | 3.62 | 1.1 L | MSP/A | |
| E64 M6 (S85) | 09/2006-07/2010 | 3.62 | 1.1 L | MSP/A | |
| E82 1 Series M (N54T) | 03/2011-12/2011 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 | 1.2 L (BMW's SAF-XJ bulletin gives 1.1 L) | SAF-XJ |
| E85 Z4 M (S54) | 01/2006-08/2008 | 210 with differential lock | 3.62 | 1.1 L | MSP/A, SAF-XJ |
| E86 Z4 M (S54) | 04/2006-08/2008 | 210 with differential lock | 3.62 | 1.1 L | MSP/A, SAF-XJ |
| E90 M3 (S65) | 12/2007-07/2008 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 (no gearbox condition, M double-clutch transmiss. w/Drivelogic, from 12/2007); 3.85 (no gearbox condition, from 12/2007) | 1.1 L | SAF-XJ |
| E90 LCI M3 (S65) | 09/2008-10/2011 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 (no gearbox condition, M double-clutch transmiss. w/Drivelogic); 3.85 (no gearbox condition) | 1.1 L | SAF-XJ |
| E92 M3 (S65) | 12/2007-02/2010 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 (no gearbox condition, M double-clutch transmiss. w/Drivelogic, from 12/2007); 3.85 (no gearbox condition, from 12/2007) | 1.1 L | SAF-XJ |
| E92 LCI M3 (S65) | 03/2010-06/2013 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 (no gearbox condition, M double-clutch transmiss. w/Drivelogic); 3.85 (no gearbox condition) | 1.1 L | SAF-XJ |
| E93 M3 (S65) | 03/2008-02/2010 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 (no gearbox condition, M double-clutch transmiss. w/Drivelogic, from 03/2008); 3.85 (no gearbox condition, from 03/2008) | 1.1 L | SAF-XJ |
| E93 LCI M3 (S65) | 03/2010-10/2013 | 215 with differential lock | 3.15 (no gearbox condition, M double-clutch transmiss. w/Drivelogic); 3.85 (no gearbox condition) | 1.1 L | SAF-XJ |
| F06 M6 (S63N) | 03/2013-02/2015 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | MSP/A | |
| F06 LCI M6 (S63N) | 03/2015-09/2018 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | MSP/A | |
| F10 M5 (S63N) | 03/2012-10/2016 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | 1 L | MSP/A |
| F12 M6 (S63N) | 03/2012-02/2015 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | 1 L | MSP/A |
| F12 LCI M6 (S63N) | 03/2015-05/2018 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | 1 L | MSP/A |
| F13 M6 (S63N) | 07/2012-02/2015 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | 1 L | MSP/A |
| F13 LCI M6 (S63N) | 03/2015-08/2017 | 220M with controlled lock | 3.15 | 1 L | MSP/A |
| F80 M3 (S55) | 03/2014-06/2015 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F80 LCI M3 (S55) | 07/2015-10/2018 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F82 M4 (S55) | 03/2014-02/2017 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F82 M4 GTS (S55) | 03/2016-11/2016 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F82 LCI M4 (S55) | 03/2017 on | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F82 LCI M4 CS (S55) | 07/2017-11/2019 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F83 M4 (S55) | 07/2014-02/2017 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F83 LCI M4 (S55) | 03/2017 on | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F87 M2 (N55) | 11/2015-06/2017 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F87 LCI M2 (N55) | 07/2017-06/2018 | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F87 LCI M2 Competition (S55) | 07/2018 on | 3.46 | 1 L | MSP/A | |
| F90 M5 (S63M) | 11/2017 on | 3.15 | 1 L | G4 |
A blank unit means BMW's assignment tables opened for this page do not name one. The F80, F82, F83, F87 and F90 units are not established yet.
Service Parts at a Glance
| Part | BMW number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| MSP/A oil, 1 L | 83 22 2 365 988 | current |
| SAF-XJ oil, 3 x 0.5 L | 83 22 2 282 583 | current |
| Hypoid Axle Oil G4, 0.5 L | 83 22 2 447 362 | current |
| Servomotor, rear differential, right (F06, F10, F12, F13, F8x M cars) | 33 14 2 284 191 | current |
Known Failure Points and Service Items
01 Grinding noise when cornering
BMW bulletin 33 01 02 (850) covers the E46 M3 to 12/2003, the E85 and E86 M cars to 08/2008 and the E90, E92, E93 M3, E60 M5 and E63, E64 M6; the fix is a special oil, part 83 22 2 282 583.
Watch for grinding at low speed turns; BMW says the special oil needs about 1000 km to reach full effect.
02 SAF-XJ only, E9x M3 and E82 M
BMW says only SAF-XJ, part 2 282 583, is approved for the E9x M3 and the 1 Series M Coupe, and the fill is 1.1 L.
Watch for the wrong oil being used at a shop; the bulletin names no other oil for these cars.
03 Driveshaft slip joint, 2015 and 2016 M3 and M4 (NHTSA 15V782000)
NHTSA recall 15V782000 covers 2015 and 2016 M3 sedans built May 30 to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 coupes built July 3 to September 11, 2015, and 2015 and 2016 M4 convertibles built May 29 to August 4, 2015. The driveshaft slip joint may have left the factory without grease and can fail, which ends drive to the rear axle. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it as needed.
Watch for an F80 M3 or F82 or F83 M4 from these build dates with no record of the driveshaft inspection.
04 Driveshaft weld, 2015 M5 and M6 (NHTSA 16V540000)
NHTSA recall 16V540000 covers 2015 M5 sedans and M6 coupes, convertibles and Gran Coupes built September to December 2014, whose driveshaft may have been poorly welded. The shaft can crack and fail, which ends drive to the rear wheels, and a parked car can roll if the parking brake is off. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it as needed.
Watch for a loss of drive to the rear wheels, the risk NHTSA names, and check that the recall was done.
05 Driveshaft flange joint, 2016 and 2017 M3 and M4 (NHTSA 18V713000)
NHTSA recall 18V713000 covers 2016 and 2017 M3 sedans, M4 and M4 GTS coupes and 2017 M4 convertibles. The joint between the driveshaft and its flange can fail and end drive. Dealers replace the driveshaft.
Watch for a loss of drive, the risk NHTSA names, and check that the driveshaft was replaced under the recall.
Common Questions
Which BMW M cars have a limited-slip differential?
BMW's repair literature names 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; for the F80, F82, F83, F87 and F90 the parts catalog lists servo-controlled differential parts, but no BMW document opened for this page names the lock.
How much oil does an E90 M3 differential take?
BMW states 1.1 L for the E9x M3 and the parts catalog agrees.
What differential does the E46 M3 have?
BMW's table lists a 210N unit with variable M differential lock.
What oil does the F10 M5 differential take?
The parts catalog and BMW's oil table list MSP/A for the F10 M5.
Sources
- BMW parts catalog data to December 2019.
- BMW service information 33 01 96 (149), 33 01 02 (850) and the SAF-XJ bulletin for the E9x M3.
- BMW final drive assignment tables.
- NHTSA recall records 15V782000, 16V540000 and 18V713000, api.nhtsa.gov recall data (opened October 1, 2026).
- BMW press release, Introducing The All-New 5th Generation BMW M5, June 22, 2011, press.bmwgroup.com.
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