Rear Differential

rxkanw · 03-07-2020, 08:53 PM

Has anyone had issues with the rear differential in the car? I purchased a 2020 M5 in November. Last week had a message that "rear axle differential lock reduced." Took it to the dealer and a control unit for the rear differential needs to be replaced. It appears this has to be ordered from Germany and takes over a week to get the part.

Car has also given me the following issues:
- instrument cluster screen goes blank (has happened twice). Having dealer look at issue again after the "re-programmed" unit before.
- noise from drivers door when car is wet (in the rain or after a car wash). Dealer put lubricant on the door seals but that did not fix the issue.
- remote 3D view does not work (worked twice since I have owned the car)

Is this just bad luck on my part? Dealer has been very accommodating in trying to fix issues, but as the car is only 4 months old and this is getting a bit annoying.

phoenixbmwlife · 03-07-2020, 09:58 PM

Oh God please tell me this isn't the norm for the 2020 models. I'm so sorry you have to go through this, what a pain.

alz0rz · 03-08-2020, 06:42 AM

I had to get my differential dust shields replaced due to a whistling sound, supposedly the axles sticking to the dust shields or something. They had to remove the diff and axles to accomplish this.

bradleyjs · 03-08-2020, 12:46 PM

That sucks man! I hate to say this, but it kinda sounds like you “might” have gotten a Lemon. However, it is good to hear that the SA is working with you; that’s always positive.

Hope all turns out well for you - hang in there!

mcdokika · 03-08-2020, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxkanw

Has anyone had issues with the rear differential in the car? I purchased a 2020 M5 in November. Last week had a message that "rear axle differential lock reduced." Took it to the dealer and a control unit for the rear differential needs to be replaced. It appears this has to be ordered from Germany and takes over a week to get the part.

Car has also given me the following issues:
- instrument cluster screen goes blank (has happened twice). Having dealer look at issue again after the "re-programmed" unit before.
- noise from drivers door when car is wet (in the rain or after a car wash). Dealer put lubricant on the door seals but that did not fix the issue.
- remote 3D view does not work (worked twice since I have owned the car)

Is this just bad luck on my part? Dealer has been very accommodating in trying to fix issues, but as the car is only 4 months old and this is getting a bit annoying.

Shame on BMW!

They replaced mine last week ... I had that rear noise issue which they fixed but while fixing that they found an issue with the rear diff too. Mine has got 7k miles and built in 2019. Part came from Germany, Car was at the service for 10 days. ..

Have not had any issues since .Have to take it for diff oil change in 1200 miles.

Omar0022 · 03-08-2020, 06:50 PM

I had the instrument cluster go blank on me too and they performed a software update and since then the issue has not returned. Maybe this work order can help you with that.

rxkanw · 03-09-2020, 06:45 AM

Thanks for the copy of the work order. I'll share with my dealership. The first time I had the instrument cluster go dark they did do a refresh on the software-but hopefully yours was more involved since the problem went away.

I little disappointed to find out I am not the only one experiencing these issues. On the plus side, it does look like there are permanent solutions for both issues.

Hoping to get my car back soon. After 10+ days driving a 330, missing my car.

Oswiff · 02-06-2021, 05:15 PM

This error just popped up on my '21. Won't go away turning the car off.

It came up after I parked for 5 min in a 1/4 inch of snow/ice while grabbing takeout. As soon as I left the spot, the light came on and the error appeared.

Car has Pirelli sottozero 3 winters so no wheel spin or anything.

wicked_wicked · 09-20-2021, 04:11 PM

Oh man, i just got this exact same rear diff lock “reduced” message that people reported above. How was it resolved? Anyone else gotten this?

zdbmw · 09-21-2021, 02:36 PM

That squeaking isn't your door, its your mirror. I'm surprised the dealer didn't fix that for you. Basically, the mirror needs to be readjusted a bit to prevent it from rubbing

micvite · 04-05-2022, 07:02 PM

My brand new 2022 sitting at the vpc has this code on it lol wonder what the issue is and whether it'll be fixed by the time they deliver it

BlueString · 04-05-2022, 07:44 PM

My '21 M5 had a sensor error. It showed the vehicle needed service at 6500 miles which was not the case when I took it in. They replaced the crankshaft sensor and reset the software and afterwards back to the scheduled 10k service. SA said they noticed a drivetrain error message log and it could have been linked to that sensor that was replaced. Not sure if it's a sensor issue with the OP's case.

MlabBMW · 04-01-2024, 07:44 AM

I don't think it's bad luck. I have a 2020 M5 at my shop right now. It only has 23,000 miles on it. The steering rack already has a very loud internal clicking noise and the differential wines like an F1 car. We pulled the fluid out of the rear diff and looked like slugged up clutch material. Pretty poor build quality on these F90's if you ask me.

03-07-2020, 08:53 PM	#1
rxkanw Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 325, Porsche 911 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Has anyone had issues with the rear differential in the car? I purchased a 2020 M5 in November. Last week had a message that "rear axle differential lock reduced." Took it to the dealer and a control unit for the rear differential needs to be replaced. It appears this has to be ordered from Germany and takes over a week to get the part. Car has also given me the following issues: - instrument cluster screen goes blank (has happened twice). Having dealer look at issue again after the "re-programmed" unit before. - noise from drivers door when car is wet (in the rain or after a car wash). Dealer put lubricant on the door seals but that did not fix the issue. - remote 3D view does not work (worked twice since I have owned the car) Is this just bad luck on my part? Dealer has been very accommodating in trying to fix issues, but as the car is only 4 months old and this is getting a bit annoying. Attached Images
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03-07-2020, 09:58 PM	#2
phoenixbmwlife Brigadier General 1913 Rep 4,128 Posts Drives: M235i & G30 540i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boynton Beach iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW/M235i [0.00]	Oh God please tell me this isn't the norm for the 2020 models. I'm so sorry you have to go through this, what a pain. __________________ Lack of money is not the problem. It is merely a symptom of what's going on inside of you! - T Harv Eker Follow me on Insta https://www.instagram.com/bmwm_life_/ https://www.instagram.com/autogiftua/ https://www.instagram.com/phoenixbmwlife/
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03-08-2020, 06:42 AM	#3
alz0rz What goes here? 453 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: 2019 G30 M550i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida Space Coast iTrader: (4) Garage List 2019 BMW M550i [0.00] 2021 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00] 2019 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00]	I had to get my differential dust shields replaced due to a whistling sound, supposedly the axles sticking to the dust shields or something. They had to remove the diff and axles to accomplish this. __________________ 2019 G30 M550i GBNF: 2021 G80 M3, 2019 F90 M5 Competition, 2016 F80 M3, 2014 F22 M235i
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03-08-2020, 12:46 PM	#4
bradleyjs Lieutenant 94 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 2019 F90 M5B, 2006 E60 550i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW F90 M5B [0.00] 2006 BMW E60 550i [0.00]	That sucks man! I hate to say this, but it kinda sounds like you “might” have gotten a Lemon. However, it is good to hear that the SA is working with you; that’s always positive. Hope all turns out well for you - hang in there!
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03-08-2020, 06:50 PM	#6
Omar0022 Private 56 Rep 72 Posts Drives: BMW M5 Competition Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I had the instrument cluster go blank on me too and they performed a software update and since then the issue has not returned. Maybe this work order can help you with that. Attached Images
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03-09-2020, 06:45 AM	#7
rxkanw Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 325, Porsche 911 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the copy of the work order. I'll share with my dealership. The first time I had the instrument cluster go dark they did do a refresh on the software-but hopefully yours was more involved since the problem went away. I little disappointed to find out I am not the only one experiencing these issues. On the plus side, it does look like there are permanent solutions for both issues. Hoping to get my car back soon. After 10+ days driving a 330, missing my car.
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02-06-2021, 05:15 PM	#8
Oswiff First Lieutenant 162 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2021 m5 comp Join Date: May 2018 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (1)	This error just popped up on my '21. Won't go away turning the car off. It came up after I parked for 5 min in a 1/4 inch of snow/ice while grabbing takeout. As soon as I left the spot, the light came on and the error appeared. Car has Pirelli sottozero 3 winters so no wheel spin or anything.
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09-20-2021, 04:11 PM	#9
wicked_wicked New Member 16 Rep 18 Posts Drives: F90 M5C, Wrangler AEV, ML550 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Oh man, i just got this exact same rear diff lock “reduced” message that people reported above. How was it resolved? Anyone else gotten this?
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09-21-2021, 02:36 PM	#10
zdbmw Z 46 Rep 131 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: May 2019 Location: Russia iTrader: (0)	That squeaking isn't your door, its your mirror. I'm surprised the dealer didn't fix that for you. Basically, the mirror needs to be readjusted a bit to prevent it from rubbing
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04-05-2022, 07:02 PM	#11
micvite Colonel 1540 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 2009 mazda RX8 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	My brand new 2022 sitting at the vpc has this code on it lol wonder what the issue is and whether it'll be fixed by the time they deliver it
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04-05-2022, 07:44 PM	#12
BlueString Second Lieutenant 120 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2013 550i, 2021 F90 M5 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	My '21 M5 had a sensor error. It showed the vehicle needed service at 6500 miles which was not the case when I took it in. They replaced the crankshaft sensor and reset the software and afterwards back to the scheduled 10k service. SA said they noticed a drivetrain error message log and it could have been linked to that sensor that was replaced. Not sure if it's a sensor issue with the OP's case.
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04-01-2024, 07:44 AM	#13
MlabBMW Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: E92 M3, F15 X5 Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: Maine iTrader: (0)	Rear diff issues. I don't think it's bad luck. I have a 2020 M5 at my shop right now. It only has 23,000 miles on it. The steering rack already has a very loud internal clicking noise and the differential wines like an F1 car. We pulled the fluid out of the rear diff and looked like slugged up clutch material. Pretty poor build quality on these F90's if you ask me.
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