Which BMWs left the factory with a LSD

[Sankekur]

i would like to know regarding e34's:rollsmile:
or is it only the m5 ls diff for e34?

Nope the m5 diff won't fit your e34.

And neither will an e34 535i LS unit fit

Actually, my mom's former 1991 535i manual had a medium case (type 188) 3.64:1 limited slip diff so it will work on a 525i.

That's definitely something....I am assuming then the rear suspension was changed to take a medium case diff at some point (swapped to 520i or 525i suspension).

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

You can order an M Performance LSD for the F chassis. Last price I got was R80k for the unit only.

 

[Sankekur]

You can order an M Performance LSD for the F chassis. Last price I got was R80k for the unit only.

Is this then an actual mechanical LS or one of the so called e-diffs that they put in the new M cars?

 

[individj]

R80k sounds cheap for mechanical hey

 

[CocoPops]

You can order an M Performance LSD for the F chassis. Last price I got was R80k for the unit only.

Is this then an actual mechanical LS or one of the so called e-diffs that they put in the new M cars?

They are Mechanical Diffs, the New M's also have Mechanical Diffs coupled with E control off the diff (Like a 458).

 

[individj]

thats a great price. a must

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Afaik it is a mechanical diff, not the e-diff. That price is from a year ago so with all the economic turmoil it is probably well over 100k now.

From the US models, I think it's this one:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=33108659987

 

[individj]

the car we don't see on here is the E46..trying to find models besides the //M or to see if it was offered with a winter package

 

[Waseem 333i]

E30 333i has 2.93 lsd

 

[Carbon]

The big question is FOR WHAT CAR?

BMW had 3 main diff sizes measured in mm.

Small case (168mm)
Medium case (188mm)
Large case (210mm)

The Sub-frame is different for all the above and will either have to be modified or swapped to fit a different diff.

The second question is, why do you need one? If it is for track use, then none of the above are worth the effort. When new, they were 25% lockup units, that would allow the one wheel to turn 85% faster then the other. It helps, but not much. Old ones will be closer to 90% if not completely open.

Your cheapest option would be to buy a open diff and weld it up, and swap it in for track days. (about an hours work in a garage with a wrench)
The car will handle a lot like a 70s Porsche, with slow turn in, and gobs of traction out of corners. Pretty fun setup if you know how to trail brake.

Your best option would be KAAZ, OS Giken, Wavetrack etc for tack work, or Quaife (pronounced kwaff) for dual purpose.

 

[individj]

think for a budget OEM LSD to help with cornering.

 

[Carbon]

think for a budget OEM LSD to help with cornering.

LSD doesn't aid cornering.

 

[individj]

it aids getting out of the corner

 

[Sankekur]

the car we don't see on here is the E46..trying to find models besides the //M or to see if it was offered with a winter package

Probably because the e46 could be had with AWD.

You can order an M Performance LSD for the F chassis. Last price I got was R80k for the unit only.

Is this then an actual mechanical LS or one of the so called e-diffs that they put in the new M cars?

They are Mechanical Diffs, the New M's also have Mechanical Diffs coupled with E control off the diff (Like a 458).

I think you misunderstood, I realise that there will be a mechanical component to the diff in the form of clutch packs or the like....what it am referring to wrt mechanical vs e-diff is whether the amount of friction that is generated with the wheels relative rotation is purely by mechanical means as it the case with traditional LS' or whether it is able to be modulated or controlled electronically.
But the answer then is yes the diffs are e-diffs and not true mechanical (or traditional) LS diffs.

 

[individj]

but the e30 & e34 also had AWD option

 

[nirvash]

any idea on the price for a new set of clutch packs for say a medium case e34 ls diff?
also what sort of availability is there for these parts?

 

[Fordkoppie]

When new, they were 25% lockup units, that would allow the one wheel to turn 85% faster then the other.

A slight correction here...

It means that it locks 25% of what the input torque is

 

[Carbon]

When new, they were 25% lockup units, that would allow the one wheel to turn 85% faster then the other.

A slight correction here...

It means that it locks 25% of what the input torque is

Well, close, it is actually 25% of the torque applied to the high speed wheel. The only difference to input torque is losses in the diff, so I guess 25% of input torque is close enough.

That being said, I still prefer to explain LSD operation with wheel speed. It is not very accurate, but it is easier to visualize. 0% torque = 0 rotation, and 100% torque = full speed. The speed/torque relationship is not linear, thus the inaccuracy, but still close enough to explain the concept.

 

[Sankekur]

but the e30 & e34 also had AWD option

Though in all likelihood a much more rudimentary version of what it fitted to the later models, which might explain why would still have additional option for an LS.

Maybe it is just because BMW wanted their newer cars to be safer and more predictable to the majority of drivers, ie more understeery and less oversteery

 

[moranor@axis]

they dropped LSD on most cars because traction control systems meant they could
most owners would not notice if the car had LSD or not so why have two systems with the same end goal

yes I wish they continued with mechanical units on all models but I can see why they did it