[tomtom]

I am thinking of getting this LSD.
Anyone have this yet? If so, how do you like it?
Any suggestions on shops with experience with install?

[CoolToolGuy]

This is not a job for the average shop, perhaps not even the best service and repair shops. Rear end work is a bit of a dark art, and since things don't often go wrong with them most mechanics don't have the know-how or the tools to do it properly.

You should ask your prospective installer if they know what the following things are, and whether they know how to set them:

• Pinion depth
• Preload
• Backlash

The replacement of the stock diff can change these settings, and if they are off by as little as .002" it can make the difference between getting the power down and sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow.

I had mine installed by At Speed Motorsports in Hanover, MD.
http://www.atspeedmotorsports.com/

They definitely know what they are doing, but we both broke new ground on this project. BMW does not openly provide parts info on their diffs, and for the bolted-on ring gears they use stretch bolts to secure them to the diff. Stretch bolts are typically only used once, but it seems these might be able to be reused. In addition, they use a snap ring as a shim, and there are various thicknesses of snap rings. If you luck out and use the same one you are good, but anything else requires parts made of Unobtanium.

There is a photo thread on the 1Addicts forum where someone (he's the Coolguy, I'm the CoolToolGuy) had his installed by Koala Motorsports - it looks like they also know what they are doing, and they do a lot of diff work.

My understanding is that later model manual-trans cars come with a welded ring gear, so the quickest solution is to buy the whole final drive from someone who offers the final drive with the Quaife and turn yours in as a core. The Steptronics (at least in the 1 Series) come with a bolted ring gear, so it can be fit to yours. You may still want to buy the whole unit and trade yours as a core.

Another option is to wait for Dinan or Schnitzer LSD availability. My understanding is that Dinan will use a diff similar to Quaife, but not the Quaife. There may be other solutions out there, but I can assure you that this requires a diff specialist.

How do I like it? I haven't had time to push it around - I got the car back last Friday night. I'll try to run it through its paces in the next couple weeks.

My 2 cents.

Have Fun,
Rick

[tomtom]

thanks for advice Rick.
really no one have an LSD in Ontario??

[mikev333]

I got this defenition from wiki... will you track the car? what benefit do you get from an LSD? getting a coilover may be a better buy. but dont let me stop you... sorry im a noob with this LSD...
=====
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is shown by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely—the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, and thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use, such as driving in mud, off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the angular velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some traction available on at least one of the wheels.

[who's ur daddy?]

I'd have to say RMP or Bimmersport as the BMW superstars in the GTA area if you're going to do something like this...

[CoolToolGuy]

Originally Posted by mikev333

I got this defenition from wiki... will you track the car? what benefit do you get from an LSD? getting a coilover may be a better buy. but dont let me stop you... sorry im a noob with this LSD...
=====
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is shown by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely—the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, and thus the vehicle will remain stationary.

That is especially true of the Quaife diff, but on (in?) a BMW with the eLSD it is not a problem - if the wheel is slipping the eLSD will apply the brakes to that wheel and power goes to the other wheel. Then - voila! off you go.

Have Fun,
Rick

[SGxi]

I would try RMP first, since they are currently building an E90 track car, so they would have some experience with the in and out of an E90.

[NH01]

I'd say RMP as well,

But... Unless you are an experienced track (circuit) driver, I dont think you'll need a LSD. orr.. if your just planning to use it to do donuts or drifting then sure =P

Originally Posted by tomtom

I am thinking of getting this LSD.
Anyone have this yet? If so, how do you like it?
Any suggestions on shops with experience with install?

[stressdoc]

I would definitely make the drive to Cleveland to Koala Motorsports. This is not something to screw around with. The installer must have tools and experience. The few shops that know what they are doing can do the job fast (5hrs) and correctly. Call Brett and talk it over. IMO if you are in a rainy / snowy place a LSD is great.