Hey guys, just wondering what the concensus on the service schedule on the rear end was? What fluid do you recommend?

BMW says its a lifetime fluid which is bullshit since a lifetime to BMW is apparently 100K. :thumbsdown:

I've seen 60k as the recommended for people who actually care about their cars for both the transmission and differential.

I did my auto trans and differential at 66k after ALOT of reading and research.
Used a little under two quarts for the diff.
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=133&pcid=4

Good luck. :thumbsup:

My dealer mechanic checked my diff oil at 100k and it was fine. This oil isn't subjected to the temp extremes of engine oil.

I'm with you JGT. I need to change the trans fluid myself, but got some more reading to do on it. I got 72K on the clock and need to get her changed soon.

Check out the DIY section. There is an EXCELLENT write up with pics on the transmission fluid drain and one on the differential.
I bought everything I needed from BavAuto and RMeuropean.com and took it to local mechanic friend since I didn't have a brake bleeder, siphon pump and didn't want to deal with about 5 gallons of dirty transmission, differential, brake fluid and engine oil.
:thumbsup:

Here's what I used for everything:

Redline 5W-30 for the motor oil.
Redline 75W-90 for the differential.
ATE Super Blue for the brakes.
Pentosin ATF1 for the transmission.

RMeuropean.com has the transmission filter kit for considerably less than BMW and its OEM.
The BMW dealer will sell you everything seperately. Filter, drain plug, gasket... :thumbsdown:

Then I was like shit might as well order some spark plugs too from RMeuropean. :twoup:

The differential on a 2008 550i has no fill plug. It is truly "lifetime", I guess.

I did both my auto tranny and diff fluid at 50k miles and after 3 years. Got it done at the dealer-was 600 or so for both services but plan on keeping my car to 100k and for a few more years so thought it was worth it. Also had my coolant flushed at 40k and will get it done every 30k.

Oil is every 10k for me. 5k is excessive, 15k is probably fine but my piece of mind comes at 10-12k miles per oil change.

Interesting. :think: Did you physically check and see?
I know some differentials (later models I believe) only have the fill plug and no drain plug in which case you would use a siphon pump to get what you can out. Mines had both so it wasn't necessary to use a pump.

I'm pretty sure that calpalmer is mistaken. Pre-LCI 33117525064 has a drain plug and LCI 33117561105 has a drain plug. The only case I can think of when there wouldn't be one is on the 52x.