3.0si Differential

[Sellers]

The Diff on my 3.0si has gone, making horrible noises when driving.

Took it to a mechanic mate who has sent it off to his gearbox repair guy quoting £750 to recon it.

Has anyone else had theirs done and at what cost? Or what diffs will fit my car? I've got part numbers from mine (33107565145), it has a 3:23 ratio. Can other models/part numbers be fitted? There are lots to choose from on ebay just non are my part number.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You can stuff a NEW LSD in there for that. Recon indeed.

 

[GuidoK]

You can fit almost any e46 or z4 diff, as long as you dont use the 330i diff. That not only has different driveshaftflanges (those are interchangeable) but I think also a different propshaft flange.
Edit: apparantly not, the 330i propshaft has a cv joint but mounts to the same flange.

It's possible that you have to change the driveshaftflanges for certain diffs/models. When you do, change the seals (the ones at the driveshafts, the one at the pinion side is difficult to replace). That is always a sensible thing to do when you buy a used diff

the e86 3.0si has a 3:46 diff, but with a different part number than the 3.0i automatic. Not sure what's different. Maybe the drainplug. some diffs dont have one :thumbsdown:

If your diff has gone and you go for an lsd, it's imho not only necessary to also change the bearings (which are very difficult to get), but probably also your crowngear and pinion. So also in that case it's sensible to buy a donor diff.
If there are metal particles in the oil, almost everything has a chance to be damaged.

 

[Sellers]

Thanks for your help!

I'm looking for some thing just bolt on ideally.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/221901838782

Something like this?

 

[Machine monkey]

I have the internals from my diff sat at home you can have. Its from a 03 3.0l 60k miles standard open diff. Any mechanic should be able to open and swap them over. I did it with mine. You will need new oil and oil seals. Shouldn't cost anymore than a few hundred quid i would think its no more than a half a days work.

 

[Machine monkey]

https://www.facebook.com/499831030134684/photos/a.500568330060954.1073741830.499831030134684/500568316727622/?type=3
Or have a look hear they have many diffs.

 

[jeffers]

Whats an original diff worth? I have the original, open diff, from my E86 sat in the garage I'd be happy to sell. Previous owner fitted an LSD

 

[Roundozo]

How many miles on it?

 

[Machine monkey]

They are not worth much? Is yours a whole diff in its case? If not and its like what i have just the internals of an open diff its about worthless. Thats why i am offering mine for free. Not a lot of people want them.

 

[jeffers]

Yeah, its the whole thing.

Car had 40k on it when i bought it so less than that. Taken off an 2008 E86 (3.0)

 

[Roundozo]

If the OP doesn't want it, I might be interested.

 

[jeffers]

Just looking at the ebay link above and trying to gauge what mines worth, it has half the mileage of the ebay one. £250?

 

[GuidoK]

Here's a complete lollipop (diff casing etc) in 1:3.23 for £125
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-2-5-5-SPEED-MANUAL-DIFF-DIFFERENTIAL-3-23-RATIO-7514149-/331764452626

If you use this one you need to use the driveshaft flanges of your old diff. (these flanges are lk80mm according to the etk, yours are lk86mm). when you do that change the seals.

 

[ba3bas]

Why not just fit an mfactory or quaife lsd

 

[GuidoK]

I think he first has to look if his crown/pinion wheel and bearings didnt get damaged?
If his diff makes noise it probably has metal flakes in the oil and that gets everywhere... causing damage.
Fit an lsd, the diff gets more damaged as damaged bearings and gears eat up and you can change everything again including your new lsd. Not a good idea.

buying new crown wheel, pinion, flange bearings and pinion bearing (IF you can get them) is probably 10 times more expensive than getting a used diff of ebay. Only the drive flange bearings are probably more expensive. And I'm not even counting the extra paid labour.