Results of Inspection II / 62, 350 Miles

Took the X3 in for it's Inspection II. I had purchased the extended maintenance back when I was around 48K with the intention of driving/keeping the X3 for at least 100K. By my calcs on known maintenance items likely to need service & their costs - I would come out about $400 - $500 ahead by going with the extended maintenance program.

All of the standard inspection items performed plus new wiper blades front & rear. The diagnostic system is checked for any fault codes, etc. as a part of that.

At some point - a fault code was thrown indicating degraded transfer case oil. So - the transfer case was serviced with new oil as well.

Not sure what that item would have cost out of pocket, but it's one step closer to making the extended maintenance a good investment (for me).

I checked the manual... I'm not seeing a spec for the life of the transfer case oil, etc. Anyone know? I also wasn't aware that would throw a fault code when it needed service. I guess some parts of the "brain" do function well after all.

Also - they had just received two new X6s today.

Not sure about it yet... looks ultra-beefy from the back. The front, from the bottom of the windshield down looks just like the X5. Actually... except for some minor design pieces... it looks just like the X5 from the door handles down - front, side & back.

One was $54K... the other was $65K (beefier tires / rims the visual difference).

Pretty cool... but the rounded/sloped roofline looks a bit out of place with the angular design incorporated into the rest of the body design. Also - the tiny back window makes the rear view very tight.

Inside - pretty much an X5 as well. I'm sure it drives like a dream though.

Perhaps your transfer case was leaking??? I though BMW used its "lifetime" fluid in the transfer case. I know they do for rear difs. My 04 3.0 only has 34k on it right now but I was planning on changing all the driveline fluids at 40 k anyway... If your transfer case was leaking, then I could see how it would trip a fault code.

interesting,.....while we are on that issue, what type of fluid would you use for the rear diff, transfer case, and tranny for a 04 x3 3.0 auto??....is there anything else that's on the drivetrain that i should replace (in terms of fluid)??

i've got 57k miles on it and planning to do eveyrthing at 60k miles

Interesting. Bavarian Auto also recommends replacing the transfer case fluid at 60k (which I intend to request, along with an ATF flush).

The transfer case fluid is "lifetime". Changing it isn't on the schedule.

You can get the fluid from a dealer parts counter or mail order. It is about $30 for 1L bottle

BMW part number is 83 22 0 397 244

I don't know if there are alternatives to the factory stuff.

Originally Posted by bmwadam

Perhaps your transfer case was leaking??? I though BMW used its "lifetime" fluid in the transfer case. I know they do for rear difs. My 04 3.0 only has 34k on it right now but I was planning on changing all the driveline fluids at 40 k anyway... If your transfer case was leaking, then I could see how it would trip a fault code.

Nope - no leaks. Garage floor is as clean as my kitchen floor... and the bottom of the X3 is dry front to back. (Yup - I look under there on occassion.)

From the work order/invoice:

********************
E** AS PER ATTACHED DME PRINTOUT - REPLACE TRANSFER CASE OIL
CAUSE: MAINTENANCE
24 REPLACED TRANS CASE OIL
315 WXMP
1 83-22-0-397-244 DISTRIBUTOR FOR TRANS. FLUID: 832251040

62631 REPLACED TRANSFER CASE OIL

************************************************** **************