[MLJR235]

So after about two weeks of waiting on my M Perf lsd to show up, yesterday was the day.

Sadly, it did not arrive in good condition. See for yourself and let me know what y'all think. I'm just set on returning it and sourcing a new unit elsewhere...

[Ron Jeffries]

does the diff itself appear damaged? i noticed nothing.

[overcoil]

This is totally out of my realm, but do the diffs come shipped filled with gear oil ? and if filled is the breather vent plugged during shipping ?

Also was this sent from a dealership or a BMW parts warehouse ?

Anyway, when I order and receive heavy equipment the stuff comes just like the pics above.

[MLJR235]

It looks like they dropped it a few times, it's covered in oil, and there seems to be a slight non-consistent shape on the "pinion shaft" (not sure on name but the front end that bolts up to drive shaft) when you rotate it by hand, maybe got dropped on that part warping it a bit ?? I'm not an expert on diffs but I do work in transport, I know what people do to packages during transit and don't feel like taking a chance on getting it installed and then some issue comes up, then me having to take off, return it, then reinstall another unit.

The original shipper should have placed this on a pallet, which I heard is how BMW ships them, and sent it by LTL Carrier.

Shipping this in that inner carton box, which FEDEX reboxed to hide the condition is not acceptable.

Anyway, just wanted to see what you guys thought or if this is how diffs are usually transported? I will be returning it for another unit. Maybe they'll package it better or actually ship it the correct method.

Let's just say that after dropping $2500 for something, I was not expecting to receive it looking like they rolled it down a hill before dropping it off... Seems I am asking too much?? idk

[TAZ007]

While I agree that the packaging looks bad, these types of parts often are packaged with a light oil coating. I would inspect the housing for cracks and determine the torque on the bolts before returning. This is a robust component and the chances it is severely damaged are low.

[Jcoop901]

I get Cat parts and John Deere parts delivered daily. Looks perfectly normal to me.

Exactly what were you expecting?

[makrop]

Why not order through the dealer and have it shipped to the dealer? Free shipping. You can pick it up and install wherever else you want. Just because you buy it through the dealer, you don't have to have it installed there. Unless you found a better price somewhere else, but in my experience the genuine BMW stuff is what is is as far as price. Very rarely have I found a part cheaper somewhere else like that. Maybe my dealer is just the exception though...

[Aspen235]

Mine came with a wood pallet, but otherwise in cardboard and plastic. It came nearly full of oil. Maybe yours lost some oil throught the vent.
I can't see any damage in the pics.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by Jcoop901

I get Cat parts and John Deere parts delivered daily. Looks perfectly normal to me.

Exactly what were you expecting?

If you accept your parts in damaged packaging daily, that's great. I don't plan to chance the shaft being damaged and having to deal with an uninstall, return, and reinstall situation.


I don't see it as just for me to shell out near $200 for shipping, them skimping and using fedex ground, without adding any additional protection, and me taking a chance on installing a damaged unit... I have zero reasons to accept this nor am I going to.

I appreciate all the insight and hell maybe the unit is not damaged but why the hell would i take the short end of this whole deal. Obviously, it was tossed around, and it weighing 90lbs, that's a hell of an impact to take.

Already got a return label and refund on way. Will order from local source to avoid any future issues like this.

[p912guy]

Looks pretty normal to me. As others have mentioned, just because the box / packaging is damaged and oily doesn't mean the diff is damaged.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by Aspen235

Mine came with a wood pallet, but otherwise in cardboard and plastic. It came nearly full of oil. Maybe yours lost some oil throught the vent.
I can't see any damage in the pics.

That's how it should have delivered on a pallet. Mine did not and got tossed around. Impact damage may not show but trust me, it has impact damage that tore up the packaging.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Looks pretty normal to me. As others have mentioned, just because the box / packaging is damaged and oily doesn't mean the diff is damaged.

maybe true, but i'm not gonna test it out for them. I'm sending it back and they can deal with testing/inspecting for any damages.

Be honest, would you pay full price $2500 for a diff you saw went 3000 miles via fedex ground in nothing but that inner box??

Remember that big Fedex box was used at my local hub, they repacked it to conceal the bagged-up torn up box it shipped in the whole way.

[freakystyly]

I'd have a qualified mechanic inspect it at the very minimum. Indy or otherwise, if they would be willing to guarantee the part, go for it. Yes it was shipped poorly but diffs are made (or used to be) very robust, hell it's even a jacking point of the car.

PS. The pics don't show a hint of damage so you may not get an understanding ear.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope it works out and you are able to enjoy the LSD goodness.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

I'd have a qualified mechanic inspect it at the very minimum. Indy or otherwise, if they would be willing to guarantee the part, go for it. Yes it was shipped poorly but diffs are made (or used to be) very robust, hell it's even a jacking point of the car.

PS. The pics don't show a hint of damage so you may not get an understanding ear.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope it works out and you are able to enjoy the LSD goodness.

Thanks, man. I'll probably do that and see what they say. I was super excited to get this on and then my heart sank when i started unboxing it

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by MLJR235

That's how it should have delivered on a pallet.

...and, ideally, without oil in it. The diff doesn't need oil in it until it's ready to be run.

I once saw the same differential shipping result at the receiving desk of a big shop: in a cardboard box with the diff leaking oil. That diff had been shipped all of 50 miles. Back it went, and the shop moved on to another source.

Good on you for securing a refund with a return label. Sourcing at or from a local dealer certainly sounds like a reliable way around this nonsense.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by dradernh

...and, ideally, without oil in it. The diff doesn't need oil in it until it's ready to be run.

I once saw the same differential shipping result at the receiving desk of a big shop: in a cardboard box with the diff leaking oil. That diff had been shipped all of 50 miles. Back it went, and the shop moved on to another source.

Good on you for securing a refund with a return label. Sourcing at or from a local dealer certainly sounds like a reliable way around this nonsense.

Thanks and yup, it's going back tomorrow for sure. Not chancing it on a $2500 part, end of story.

[SoftShoe]

FWIW, mine wasn’t quite as bad.
It clearly hit and busted through two walls of the box. That was on the shaft side and another side. But it was seated in and packed under custom molded foam which greatly restricted movement in all directions.

Just now installed.
I’ll let you know how broken it is…

And how wise you were for returning yours (I did think about it for mine.)

[MLJR235]

My diff had zero cushion molding inside. Just the diff inside a box with minimal support packing. Shipping packages/ distribution is my work and trust me , something of this weight would have never left our floor how I received it. Not even styrofoam was used in my box ��

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by MLJR235

My diff had zero cushion molding inside. Just the diff inside a box with minimal support packing. Shipping packages/ distribution is my work and trust me , something of this weight would have never left our floor how I received it. Not even styrofoam was used in my box ��

Yup, the more information presented I concur you are making the prudent decision. My hope is everything goes smooth for you here on in.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

Yup, the more information presented I concur you are making the prudent decision. My hope is everything goes smooth for you here on in.

i would have loved to put it in my car but there are too many cons, in my eyes, to take the plunge.

I’ll be posting back up here once I finally get a new unit installed. I suppose i will just have to be patient.

I truly appreciate everyone’s comments and opinions.

[SoftShoe]

How’s it going?
Were you able to source a new one?
Is the old one gone (without difficulty, I hope)?

How are your spirits?

[Shovelman]

Sadly the returned part will probably be repackaged and resold