Urgent Advice - Rear Differential

J

JackZ4

Member
 Nottingham
Afternoon all,

I have a 2006 BMW Z4 Coupe (e86) 3.0si that I have owned for 12 years since I was 20, so have heavy sentimental attachment to it.

A few days ago I was driving home after picking up my partner and as I went to accelerate a loud bang happened from the rear of the car, held the clutch in and coasted down the hill to a lay-by.

According to my mechanic the differential internals have gone 🤦‍♂️

Looking online, I believe my Z4 has the following differential, 3.46 ratio and part number 3310’7564160.

Can this differential be rebuilt for a reasonable price and do we know any trusted companies?
If I need to source a new differential as a replacement, does it have to be like for like?
Or could I potentially source another differential with a different 3.** ratio from another z4 or different bmw model?

If someone has a differential hanging around and would consider selling, I would be over the moon and very grateful.

Thank you in advance and appreciate any advice,
Jack
 
Never heard of that happening before - at least not withought it making a horrible noise for many hundreds of miles first. I'd get a second opinion before you spend any money.
 
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I'd definitely want to be sure the problem really was the diff. Maybe get a second opinion from a BMW specialist (not a dealer)!

In 50 years I've only ever had one diff break, and that was when I launched my 2.8i Capri from a set of traffic lights at about 3,000 rpm. I knew it was broken because I could see the dents in the rear cover where the teeth had tried to escape. :LOL:
 
CuppaTea said:
Only ever launch Ford's in the 2K range 😉

My peasant spec Mondeo would fall apart on a 3K launch lol
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Your Mondeo would have just lit up the front tyres on a 3K launch!

My RWD Capri just took off - until that day anyway! That's why I've had manual BMWs for over 20 years as there aren't really any alternatives.
 
3002 tii said:
Just curious in the 12 years you owned the car how many times did you change the diff fluid?
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I honestly couldn’t tell you without looking at the book which is currently at my parents house as I haven’t long moved.

Mr Tidy said:
I'd definitely want to be sure the problem really was the diff. Maybe get a second opinion from a BMW specialist (not a dealer)!

In 50 years I've only ever had one diff break, and that was when I launched my 2.8i Capri from a set of traffic lights at about 3,000 rpm. I knew it was broken because I could see the dents in the rear cover where the teeth had tried to escape. :LOL:
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The big bang I heard I would say was definitely mid launch. I had picked up the misses, after changing into second gear and powering on, it instantly went boom 😬

peter1450 said:
Has your mechanic visually inspected the diff ? I’d check the drive shafts first , plenty of aftermarket diffs available but pretty expensive!
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Yes. I have inspected the car as well, he’s pulled the rubber things of the axle joints and shown me the differential, we initially assumed it was the clutch that had gone.

In all fairness, the car has ticked over 180,000 miles and I do drive it properly.

I had been feeling an unusual vibration when I was in wales 2 weeks ago, but the differential definitely hadn’t shown any signs of making a noise before this 😥

peter1450 said:
Has your mechanic visually inspected the diff ? I’d check the drive shafts first , plenty of aftermarket diffs available but pretty expensive!
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I’m no expert with cars, I simply drive them. I have noticed a few diffs available online, but which ones are compatible with mine. Can I take other BMW z4 diff as long as it’s is a type 188k? I’ve also heard people suggesting diffs from a bmw e46 or bmw x3, but I have no clue.

From my understanding I have type 188k, 3.46 ratio that is attached to a N52 engine:

IMG_9647.png

Thank you everyone for their responses 😊
 
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