Diff - worth going for new over reconditioned?

Barbarian Conan

Barbarian Conan

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My car made a whining noise, which turned out to be the diff.
BMW wants to replace at R35K, but I can get it reconditioned for R22K from an indy, both including installation etc.

Any opinions?

R13K is quite a bit of money, but the new diff will give me more peace of mind. I plan to drive the car for about a year, but that might turn into 2+, you never know.
 
It's a 2008 BMW 135i. I expect they will give a 6 month warranty, and I think that is what BMW gives as well.
 
If it's whining, I would imagine that the bearings are toast.

Not being familiar with performance cars, and BMW in particular, but wouldn't a qualified indy be able to replace the bearings without needing to replace the entire unit? If you need a crown wheel and/or pinions it's another matter entirely, of course.
 
Not in warranty & if your not keeping it wouldn't you be able to find a better price for one at a wreckers yard?
 
Barbarian Conan said:
My car made a whining noise, which turned out to be the diff.
BMW wants to replace at R35K, but I can get it reconditioned for R22K from an indy, both including installation etc.

Any opinions?

R13K is quite a bit of money, but the new diff will give me more peace of mind. I plan to drive the car for about a year, but that might turn into 2+, you never know.
Click to expand...

Where are you based?

I've been through this exercise once ended up paying twice because first idiot didn't do it right.

Need somebody reliable to do it for you like Mayfair gearbox for example or even ZF themselves in JHB.
 
falcon786 said:
Where are you based?

I've been through this exercise once ended up paying twice because first idiot didn't do it right.

Need somebody reliable to do it for you like Mayfair gearbox for example or even ZF themselves in JHB.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for the JHB branch but the Durban Branch is filled with incompetent and dishonest mechanics. I took my car there and they basically told me the whole gearing system had to be gutted and replaced at an exorbitant cost. I went to Rex Diff and Gearbox for a second opinion and they fixed the issue which was a faulty hose and a top-up of gearbox fluid.

Mayfair Gearbox = :thumbsdown:
 
Nicholas Lisse said:
Have you tried speaking to BMW breakers yards?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I contacted one now to see if they can source one for me.

falcon786 said:
Where are you based?

I've been through this exercise once ended up paying twice because first idiot didn't do it right.

Need somebody reliable to do it for you like Mayfair gearbox for example or even ZF themselves in JHB.
Click to expand...

I'm in Roodepoort, the mechanic is in Randburg, but they will outsource the diff replacement to a place in PTA.
That's what I'm afraid of. Getting the car back and things seeming "off", then trying to get it resolved.

Tman* said:
Get a second opinion from ZF if you have not already
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I had a first opinion from BMW, with the indy giving me the second opinion. I know ZF makes the BMW gearboxes, I didn't know they did the diff as well.
I trust that the indy did their due diligence, as they wouldn't even give a hypothetical quote until they had a look at the car. I don't usually trust BMW and their "replace it and see if the problem goes away" reputation, therefore the second opinion.
 
Reconditioned. Diffs are pretty simple mechanical devices, and there should be no issues with a reconditioned one. The same happens with CV joints. If you go to Driveshaft Centre, most of the CVs you'll get are reconditioned, because the original dealer parts are many times the price, and no better.
 
Claymore said:
Reconditioned. Diffs are pretty simple mechanical devices, and there should be no issues with a reconditioned one. The same happens with CV joints. If you go to Driveshaft Centre, most of the CVs you'll get are reconditioned, because the original dealer parts are many times the price, and no better.
Click to expand...
I am just as surprised about the quoted reconditioning fees, they look steep.
 
Chuck some mo-di and new oil. Whiny diff is nothing more than a little wear between crown and pinion teeth. Nothing bad will happen and should continue serving you for several more 100k Kms.

That's if indeed they correctly diagnosed and not simply a rogue bearing that cost R250 and them trying to rip you a new ahole.
 
I have a parts guy that might be able to source you a new diff. So at least you know what the actual price is and then you could take it to the indy and get him to install it.
 
Thanks for all the comments.

The indy did stuggle to find someone who could source parts to recondition, and they said that the only one they could find needed to source the parts from BMW?

I did try a couple of breakers, and no-one could get me a used diff.

Anyway, BMW gave me a R6K discount so I decided to just get a new one. Always ask for a discount.

That will put my maintenance on the car for this year at less than R3K per month, still cheaper than buying a new Polo Vivo if you don't take a risidual.
 
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