[Tom Droze]

Okay guys, being a single guy and only needing your approval, I need your thoughts on this. Because I will be having a MFactory LSD installed in my 328i pretty soon I got to looking around on the Internet. Besides the M3 differential bushings I wanted a wow factor and I came across this for the 135i / 335i.

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...e93-p2493.aspx

I did some research on Real OEM and discovered that the OEM rear differential cover for the 335i and the 328i are the same part number (33117518404), which would suggest this would fit my 328i. I figure if I give up the hookers and the binge drinking for a month, I will have the $799 needed to spring for this (just kidding about the hookers and binge drinking by the way).

So, any words of wisdom?

[approximate]

doesn't fit!
different types of differentials (188 vs 215)

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by approximate

doesn't fit!
different types of differentials (188 vs 215)

After doing more research, I just discovered that that manual transmission and the automatic transmission have a different part number for the differential cover, I assume the manual transmission is the large differential (215) and the automatic is the small differential (188). Gosh darn it all!

[Tom Droze]

Since the differential cover doesn't fit, I suppose I will have no choice but to replace my Goodyear run flat tires with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

[MarkkyyMan]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

Since the differential cover doesn't fit, I suppose I will have no choice but to replace my Goodyear run flat tires with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

You will be glad you did.

[approximate]

use the finned oem cover (33117516280), it should fit.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by approximate

use the finned oem cover (33117516280), it should fit.

I can't confirm 100 percent that it will fit, but I found nothing online to suggest it would not fit. So for $120 I am willing to roll the dice on this one! Thank you for the tip!

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

I figure if I give up the hookers and the binge drinking for a month, I will have the $799 needed to spring for this (just kidding about the hookers and binge drinking by the way).

So, any words of wisdom?

Words of wisdom? Hmm. Never give up binge drinking, it keeps you sane. And I can think of better things to spend 799 on, like those hookers. In 20 years you wont remember your diff cover, but you will remember the sloppy BJ at 3am. 799 is a lot of BJ's.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by mike3000fl

Words of wisdom? Hmm. Never give up binge drinking, it keeps you sane. And I can think of better things to spend 799 on, like those hookers. In 20 years you wont remember your diff cover, but you will remember the sloppy BJ at 3am. 799 is a lot of BJ's.

The sloppy BJ at 3am, hmmmm... I seem to recall that being part of the Grand Slam Breakfast offering at Denny's!

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

The sloppy BJ at 3am, hmmmm... I seem to recall that being part of the Grand Slam Breakfast offering at Denny's!

if you hit the right dennys at 3am, there are plenty of dancers getting off of work with an appetite. the good old days. only so many places them girls can eat after work. that was another life though.

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by approximate

use the finned oem cover (33117516280), it should fit.

Like the OP, I'd like a trick cover for my 335's diff, that's the small carrier. That part number doesn't cross-ref to my diff that I can find, but I'd love it if it would fit. What more info can your provide?

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by M-Steep

Like the OP, I'd like a trick cover for my 335's diff, that's the small carrier. That part number doesn't cross-ref to my diff that I can find, but I'd love it if it would fit. What more info can your provide?

Other than the OEM finned cover listed above, I have no other info. I did email VAC Motorsports to see if they would consider a manufacturing a finned aluminum differential cover for the 188 small differential. No word back yet.

[M-Steep]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

Other than the OEM finned cover listed above, I have no other info. I did email VAC Motorsports to see if they would consider a manufacturing a finned aluminum differential cover for the 188 small differential. No word back yet.

They just told me "no" a couple days ago. Maybe two requests in a week will start to change their minds.

[justpete]

For a bling-less alternative if a clutch-type LSD is being used on the track often enough to justify it, there's always active cooling with a pump and small oil radiator like this system -- http://store.bimmerworld.com/differe...oler-p339.aspx

It's possible to weld the appropriate bungs on the stock diff cover including one for the temp sensor of a Stack oil temp gauge. The Pro Control version can be set up to control the pump and fan thermostatically using relays so no switches need to be installed and it's automatic. Costs a bit more but hey, ya get what ya pay for. And you don't lose ground clearance cuz hitting the kerbs is half the fun.

[hassmaschine]

it's nit-picky, but type 188 is technical "medium". the 168 is the small one.

on that one diff cover that might fit, what if you ordered just the gasket that matches it? then you could see if it matches the diff housing, and it wouldn't cost nearly as much as ordering the cover and hoping it fits.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

it's nit-picky, but type 188 is technical "medium". the 168 is the small one.

on that one diff cover that might fit, what if you ordered just the gasket that matches it? then you could see if it matches the diff housing, and it wouldn't cost nearly as much as ordering the cover and hoping it fits.

I went through this drill on Real OEM, the problem is that the differential gasket for my car has been discontinued and BMW now recommends using gasket sealer instead of a gasket. However, the part number for the 525i differential gasket did cross reference to my car. Do I accept this as 100 percent certainty that it will fit, no I don't, but it did provide enough certainty that I ordered the cover.

[M-Steep]

Didn't know you'd managed to cross-ref the gaskets; I got lost in the RealOEM maze! That sounds promising, and thanks for taking the plunge - I would really appreciate update on how it works out. Post up or PM, if you would, please. Here's hoping it fits - that would be a cool piece at a great price.

[M-Steep]

FYI, I did find a very helpful side-by-side pic in the Bentley manual of the 188L and 215L covers. The 188L (medium - the one we want), looks to be a match to the finned piece (part. #33117516280). So we got that going for us.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

I can't confirm 100 percent that it will fit, but I found nothing online to suggest it would not fit. So for $120 I am willing to roll the dice on this one! Thank you for the tip!

I just got a call from ECS Tuning and this cover is only available out of Germany so the wait time is three to five weeks... I told them to process the order!

[GTKrockeTT]

Did ECS say if it would fit or not? The 33117516280 part number is supposed to be for a 5 series - http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...117516280.html

Haven't looked into, but maybe the diff is the exact same between the two?

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by GTKrockeTT

Did ECS say if it would fit or not? The 33117516280 part number is supposed to be for a 5 series - http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...117516280.html

Haven't looked into, but maybe the diff is the exact same between the two?

ECS doesn't know if it will fit. I did all the cross referencing I could reasonably do online (including the gaskets) and I'm fairly confident it will fit, as both cars share the 188 differential in common. I will report on it once I know for certain, but as I mentioned earlier, the delivery is three to five weeks out. I am also installing a LDS, which is why I was sourcing a finned differential cover.

[hassmaschine]

what kind of LSD are you getting? that's the one mod I'm keen on doing on my E90. the pegleg stinks.