LSD

M

Mark 03z4

Member
Hi guys
New to z4 ownership,just picked up a 2003 manual 2.5 z4 ,car has 116000miles a great history ,has factory hardtop ,bbs alloys cruise control heated seats and cd changer
All is good
I would like to know two things please

LSD what is my cheapest used option here ? Is the diff from e46 and is there a simple other bmw model to source a LSD FROM ?

And secondly is 6speed gearbox is it a simple job to get the prop and box from a 6 speed model and maybe the clutch and fit it ?

My car also has. Sport button??
Thanks for your help in advance
 

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Mark 03z4 said:
LSD what is my cheapest used option here ? Is the diff from e46 and is there a simple other bmw model to source a LSD FROM ?
Click to expand...

I did a lot of research when getting my LSD done. Here is a table showing the different diff types for the E85 as they do differ slightly from model to model (final drive ratio, crown sizes and output shaft mounting diameter).

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Same differences apply to the E46. However, if you're careful and find one with the correct specs (mainly crown size and output shaft diameter), yes they are interchangeable. The only time the diffs are not interchangeable is when swapping one from a Z4M or E46 M3 as these use a different rear end and it will not fit without the subframe swapped also.

In terms of LSD, I went with a fitted Quaife one from Birds Auto as it came with their 2 year warranty, but this was definitely not the cheapest way to do it. The cheapest way is to do it yourself using a Blackline LSD (cheapest on the market currently), but you would have to measure and set the backlash yourself (which I was not confident enough to do).
 
Hi and welcome to the forum - your Z4 looks very smart. :thumbsup:
 
They are great cars aren't they!

You mentioned headlights earlier. I've had Halogens and Xenons and to be honest I didn't have an issue with the Halogens, although the Xenons are definitely better. People have gone for LEDs but they can have issues and some have found fitting better Halogen bulbs helps - things like Osram Nightbreakers for example.

As you've got an N52 engine a 6 speed from an E9* 3 Series might be what you need.

And the simplest brake upgrade might be 3.0Si front brakes as they are bigger.

Anyway good luck with the modifications. :thumbsup:
 
Cracking car, best bang for buck is the Blackline LSD unit it's virtually the same as a Qaife. Mine cost £485 then another £150 to install i did the fitting myself. I've done 4 track days this year and cant fault it. :driving:
 
They used to be really expensive - about £80 each IIRC - and for a while driver's side ones weren't available.

But now you can get after-market ones on Ebay for more like £50 a pair.

Although they are probably just as fragile as the BMW ones!
 
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