E46 2005 M3 DIFF

[Adrian J Seekola]

Howzit guys

I'm currently looking to replace the diff on my 2005 M3 E46 manual.Any one know what plan of action should I take...I smoked the diff yesterday at 220km/h.....totally my fault wasn't paying attention to the leak of diff oil on the garage floor. ...[PENSIVE FACE]

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[Peejay]

Try to look for a good second hand one.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Speak to this man he has one.
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/member.php?action=profile&uid=6179

 

[LPM320]

Aweh Suspect

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Thanks for the referral A1exander, but I won't be parting with the diff just yet. GOnna see how this 3:91 runs for a while before I part with the stock on.

Thanks.

 

[Adrian J Seekola]

Thanks guys....will be looking to do some research on a mod diff as well and try to get mine current one recon'd

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Anyone knows of labs that our e46 diff mods well[FACE WITH MEDICAL MASK]

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[Crash_Nemesis]

What do you mean by labs?

 

[Adrian J Seekola]

Modifications specialist

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[Pho3niX90]

Get it repaired and have the peace of mind that it's better than a secondhand one. There is a gearbox and diff place in centurion that does an amazing job.

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

I'll report back on what my modded diff is like.

But from everyone I have spoken too and every tuner shop online have all said, the number one mod for the e46 M3, is diff swap. The 3:91 and 4:11 ratios really bring the car alive.

There is a reason why this mod is called a poor man's supercharger.

See video below. Camera car is stock diff. Middle car is 4:11 and car on far right is 3:91 diff.

[video=youtube]

 

[slotcars1]

Sho that is quite a diff... erence :fencelook:

see what I did there

 

[Adrian J Seekola]

Did some research today looks like the 4.10 gear ratio is pretty much the a awesome mod to complete

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[Crash_Nemesis]

Just bare in mind. It is not a simple swap. Don't believe anything anyone tells you. You will need to source and replace all bearings in the diff as well as seals.

So it's not just replacing the ring and pinion.

 

[Adrian J Seekola]

Good tip I will have it done professionally by a diff centre....just having to decide, to mod my oem or purchase 4.10

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[SKYF]

Sell the M buy a 135:rollsmile:

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

I went to a diff centre... they broke the bearings. I then took the diff to Boetie Budler. He installed it correctly. The bearings in the e46 M3 are Koyo bearings.

You need two side shaft bearings part # JLM104948-N
You then need a pinion bearing, part # KHN803149
and finally a bearing at the end of the diff, part # HM89448

The bearings cannot be sourced from BMW. The seals can.

The 4:10 ratio is great for NA car. My car is boosted, so 4:10 is too short. 3:91 is perfect as it brings in boost sooner and isn't too short that my first gear becomes unusable.

If you are staying NA, you will have a great increase in acceleration. You will lose top end and also your 6th gear cruise speed will be 3700rpm at 120 and not 3000rpm.

 

[Adrian J Seekola]

With that said I rather keep the oem aside for later use if I'm for some reason not happy...I'm keeping this ride NA....

My garage has a 328i boost'd WIP....Thanks crash will keep posted on the diff workings!

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[Crash_Nemesis]

Cool man. Good luck.

:thumbs: