Final drive oil - confused!

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

As the result of two tiny bubbles of corrosion found on my final drive three days before the corrosion warranty expired, the nice people at BMW have replaced the whole unit with one of the new drain plug types! Nice result or what?
Previous threads on here seem to suggest that the final drive oil should be replaced at 600 miles and then 6000 miles thereafter. Is the change at 600 still advisable? BMW dealer says not but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Also, BMW recommendation seems to be that 221ml of Castrol SAF-XO is the correct amount and type of oil to be used. Threads on here do seem to confirm Castrol (GL5) SAF-XO 75/140 fully synthetic but on checking with Opieoils SAF-XO seems to be 75/90! Castrol do do a 75/140 GL5 but that's sold as SAF-XJ and that's why I'm confused.
Therefore any ideas? Do I need 75/90 (XO) or 75/140 (XJ)?
Many thanks chaps.

 

[blackbird]

If I were you I would change the oil at 600 miles & every 6000 miles as its easy to do, its only going to cost you about £10 for oil.

 

[sockpuppet]

Speaking to a dealer over the weekend and he said that 600 mile service for new parts of good - though he prefers to see the bikes when they are closer to 1000 miles to do the first service as its officially a 600-1000 mile first service.

 

[rttim]

Just checked my bottle of Castrol SAF/XO and it states 75/90, API GL5.

The latest servicing schedule (on my RT, but I think the GS is the same) calls for a change at the initial 600-mile service. My dealer charged for a full litre bottle, but gave me the remainder, so I think I'll change mine anyway.

Also, rather than pay inflated BMW dealer prices (about £28 for a 1 litre bottle!), I've heard that it's readily available at LandRover dealers (used in the 4WD diffs, I think). I've not checked this out for myself, but it might worth investigating.

Hope this helps

 

[Greg Masters]

See the Castrol data sheet

Greg

 

[Zofo]

That's very clear from Castrol, but which type of drive does a GS have?

 

[Our Gee]

I had my Final Drive changed under Warranty a couple of months ago (2007 1200GS) with 4500 miles. My Dealer wanted the Bike back after 600 to change the Oil which was done as I waited and took about half an hour. No charge to me. Top Dealer. Top Service. Good Craque, Coffee and Bickies.
Cooper BMW, Bolden, Sunderland.

 

[Greg Masters]

That's very clear from Castrol, but which type of drive does a GS have?

LSDs are only fitted to 4-wheelers!

Greg

 

[Zigo]

As the result of two tiny bubbles of corrosion found on my final drive three days before the corrosion warranty expired, the nice people at BMW have replaced the whole unit with one of the new drain plug types! Nice result or what?
Previous threads on here seem to suggest that the final drive oil should be replaced at 600 miles and then 6000 miles thereafter. Is the change at 600 still advisable? BMW dealer says not but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Also, BMW recommendation seems to be that 221ml of Castrol SAF-XO is the correct amount and type of oil to be used. Threads on here do seem to confirm Castrol (GL5) SAF-XO 75/140 fully synthetic but on checking with Opieoils SAF-XO seems to be 75/90! Castrol do do a 75/140 GL5 but that's sold as SAF-XJ and that's why I'm confused.
Therefore any ideas? Do I need 75/90 (XO) or 75/140 (XJ)?
Many thanks chaps.

The SAF-XO 75/90 is the oil recommended by BMW for your GS. Stick to it! The Castrol SAF-XJ is recommended by BMW for limited slip differentials on cars.

 

[oldenoughtoknowbetter]

Many thanks for your help lads. I'll go along with the "XO" 75/90.