BMW X3 diff vs E46

[Andrew.Spa]

My X3 E83 diff is acting up , so I stripped it and am weighing up the cost difference between a good used diff and the bearing kit.

What I am asking here , because not one BMW 'specialist' can tell me if the E46 diff can fit. I am not too concerned with the ratio and the side cups can be changed. The only issue that I seem to find online is whether or not the prop has a 6 bolt joint or a 4 bolt yolk.

Mine is 4 bolt.

So ....does anyone have any knowledge of whether or not the E46 diff ( don't worry about ratio) can fit directly in the car and if the cups are changed and it is a 4 bolt yolk if it will be good to go ?

Thanks in advance

 

[individj]

as far as i know it will fit. You must change output flanges..swop them with your X3's

 

[Andrew.Spa]

as far as i know it will fit. You must change output flanges..swop them with your X3's

Thanks

That is what I also think , but I would like to verify before spending thousands on something that I cannot return.

 

[individj]

also..shouldnt be thousands

 

[Andrew.Spa]

Only one of my suppliers have a kit for this specific diff at R5500 and a used diff ranges from R6500 - R8500.

E46 diffs go for between R2500 and R4500.

Hence my request and also I need to get this car back on the road asap so I need to be able to make an informed decision. mgwaiting:

 

[Sankekur]

As far as I can tell it should work, here if thread of guy in the US that swapped an X3 diff into his e46: https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=529965

So the other way round should be possible as well, but might involve output and or input flange(s).

 

[Andrew.Spa]

As far as I can tell it should work, here if thread of guy in the US that swapped an X3 diff into his e46: https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=529965

So the other way round should be possible as well, but might involve output and or input flange(s).

Thanks . I actually saw that thread and was more convinced that it will work , because mine is a 4 stud, so it would just be a side shaft flange change.