Gearbox Oil - New Spec??

[GSmonkey]

I was ringing around some of the BMW garages to see if I could buy Castrol SAF-XO in retail packs. The guy at SLM parts say they have revised the spec of the oil to "EP 80 90", which I'm assuming is Gulf EP Gear Oil 80/90 which is to API GL-4. Anybody else heard the same??

 

[Mrs C]

I have had a look but can't find any reference to the oil spec for the final drive changing from SAF-XO (API GL5) to 80/90 - we're still using XO in our workshop. Probably like most dealers we don't keep it in retail packs but they can be got if required.

Gearbox oil is the fairly common Castrol EPX80w/90.

 

[Mouse]

Interesting, the manual says use SAF-XO for both gearbox and FD.

As far as I know the XO's spec is API GL5 75W90. I suspect you could happily use either, but while in warranty I would use what BMW say.

 

[mitch]

Gear Oil

Change Oct 2004

 

[Mouse]

To summarise what that doc file says: Use a brand name hypoid gear lubricant SAE 90 API GL 5, capacity 0.9 litres. Although it says "still fill to bottom of thread" - whether this means the gearbox actually got bigger or it's just a revised statement of the capacity I don't know, but I would guess at the latter.

Any particular reason not to use a multigrade oil? (eg a 75W90 instead of just a 90) As I understand it the multigrade may not last as long?

 

[GSmonkey]

Cheers guys....looks like I'll stick to the SAF-XO