328i xDrive transfer case fail.. due to staggered wheels?

mikebattag · 01-22-2019, 03:20 PM

So I've been hearing a grinding noise in my car for a couple weeks now. I brought it to the dealer last night and after a talk on the phone today, I found out my transfer case went bad. In the summer and fall I ran a staggered set of 18 inch wheels before switching back to the stock 17s for the winter. 8.5 in front and 9.5 in the rear, 225/40/18 x 255/35/18. This is in between the 1% rotational diameter. I've been told that if I stay in between 1% its fine to run staggered on xdrive. Is it possible that this was the cause of the transfer case failure?

FaRKle! · 01-22-2019, 03:41 PM

We have a thread going on in the diesel section about transfer case failures with a database of events. In my opinion, the data doesn't suggest that a staggered setup causes it.

mikebattag · 01-22-2019, 03:44 PM

Its a 328i. not diesel.

FaRKle! · 01-23-2019, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebattag

Its a 328i. not diesel.

1QuikWS6 · 02-03-2019, 02:36 PM

Staggered setup with proper size tires does not cause transfer case failure

BMW sells the xdrive cars with OEM staggered setup

Ran staggered on my 09 328ix for 9 yrs and no problem, run staggered now on my 2015 435ix with no problems

cfm56d7b · 02-03-2019, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

Staggered setup with proper size tires does not cause transfer case failure

BMW sells the xdrive cars with OEM staggered setup

Ran staggered on my 09 328ix for 9 yrs and no problem, run staggered now on my 2015 435ix with no problems

+1 Staggered BMW OEM wheels and tires do not cause xDrive failure. My previous 2013 BMW 335i xDrive sedan came with optional 19" 401 Style staggered wheels.

The only caveat: if your specific xDrive model was never with staggered wheels / tires, BMW can claim that non OEM wheels could be the reason for xDrive failure, EVEN if the same wheels / tires are offered in another F3x model. It's the most unusual position. There is another forum member dealing with the same problem. His F3x wagon came only with square wheels / tires with no optional staggered wheels / tires.

Did the dealer indicate how the problem will be corrected?

wdeerfield · 02-04-2019, 06:24 AM

i had metal shavings in my transfer case at 40kmi. replaced under warranty and i had factory staggered wheels.

mikebattag · 02-28-2019, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

Staggered setup with proper size tires does not cause transfer case failure

BMW sells the xdrive cars with OEM staggered setup

Ran staggered on my 09 328ix for 9 yrs and no problem, run staggered now on my 2015 435ix with no problems

+1 Staggered BMW OEM wheels and tires do not cause xDrive failure. My previous 2013 BMW 335i xDrive sedan came with optional 19" 401 Style staggered wheels.

The only caveat: if your specific xDrive model was never with staggered wheels / tires, BMW can claim that non OEM wheels could be the reason for xDrive failure, EVEN if the same wheels / tires are offered in another F3x model. It's the most unusual position. There is another forum member dealing with the same problem. His F3x wagon came only with square wheels / tires with no optional staggered wheels / tires.

Did the dealer indicate how the problem will be corrected?

It was replaced under warranty since I had my stock wheels on as a winter setup... the dealer told me afterward that if I had the aftermarket wheels on when I brought it in, insurance wouldn't have covered it so I dodged a bullet on that one lol. I'm just paranoid to put my other wheels on now that this happened. I can't seem to find anything that says not to run this wheel setup, besides the mechanic at bmw telling me to stick to whatever is posted on the door (assumed he has to say that). The part itself is under warranty as well as the car for another year so I'll probably throw them back on and if anything happens again I'll bring it back in with the stock wheels. What other causes are there for a transfer case failure? My car only has 50k

cfm56d7b · 02-28-2019, 05:57 PM

Thanks for sharing an update. Very glad to learn the problem was resolved to your satisfaction.

Still - this entire dialog with BMW is both illogical and makes very little sense.

01-22-2019, 03:20 PM	#1
mikebattag Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xdrive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	328i xDrive transfer case fail.. due to staggered wheels? So I've been hearing a grinding noise in my car for a couple weeks now. I brought it to the dealer last night and after a talk on the phone today, I found out my transfer case went bad. In the summer and fall I ran a staggered set of 18 inch wheels before switching back to the stock 17s for the winter. 8.5 in front and 9.5 in the rear, 225/40/18 x 255/35/18. This is in between the 1% rotational diameter. I've been told that if I stay in between 1% its fine to run staggered on xdrive. Is it possible that this was the cause of the transfer case failure?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-22-2019, 03:41 PM	#2
FaRKle! Brigadier General 4016 Rep 3,538 Posts Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 35 [0.00] 2017 BMW 328dx Wagon [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	We have a thread going on in the diesel section about transfer case failures with a database of events. In my opinion, the data doesn't suggest that a staggered setup causes it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-22-2019, 03:44 PM	#3
mikebattag Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xdrive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Its a 328i. not diesel.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2019, 02:36 PM	#5
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1619 Rep 8,476 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	Staggered setup with proper size tires does not cause transfer case failure BMW sells the xdrive cars with OEM staggered setup Ran staggered on my 09 328ix for 9 yrs and no problem, run staggered now on my 2015 435ix with no problems __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-04-2019, 06:24 AM	#7
wdeerfield A family of bimmers 2745 Rep 7,741 Posts Drives: '18 G01 X3M40i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clifton Park, NY iTrader: (0)	i had metal shavings in my transfer case at 40kmi. replaced under warranty and i had factory staggered wheels. __________________ 2018 PB/Black G01 X3M40i \| 699M \| ZDA \| ZPP \| ZPX \| Maxton front lip \| X3M vents \| 15mm Spacers \| Diamond G20 style grills
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2019, 05:57 PM	#9
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 5884 Rep 10,255 Posts Drives: 2017 440i Gran Coupe & 2015 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (2)	Thanks for sharing an update. Very glad to learn the problem was resolved to your satisfaction. Still - this entire dialog with BMW is both illogical and makes very little sense.
	Appreciate 0 Quote