E90 M3 diff on a 335i? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

chesney72 · 11-04-2010, 08:14 AM

Expecting this to be "NO" but thought I'd ask.

335i is a nice car and good fun but I reckon a good LSD would add to that. The M3 has a proper LSD so could this be fitted to a non M3 E90/91

Other option is the Quaiffe I suppose.

JayKay335i · 11-04-2010, 09:21 AM

Search. Somebody fitted an m3 diff. Not sure if it was e90 or e46. The aftermarket ones are also good choices.

chesney72 · 11-04-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Search. Somebody fitted an m3 diff. Not sure if it was e90 or e46. The aftermarket ones are also good choices.

Cheers,

It's purely as I've seen an M3 rear diff advertised and thought it would be easier to just swap the whole diff rather then fit an aftermarket one.

Will it affect the final drive ratio though?

I'll do a search or if anyone else finds the link please let me know.

fl335i · 11-04-2010, 10:08 AM

subscribing... Had the same thought the other day. Why spend 3k and all the labor to put a LSD in my 335i when I could maybe swap out for a M3 diff assy from a wrecking yard.

Jake C · 11-04-2010, 10:24 AM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=M3+Diff

- J

chesney72 · 11-04-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake C

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=M3+Diff

- J

good man thanks!

Doesn't appear to be a straight fit but do-able! Will read it through but I presume the rear end is the same for manual and auto and it would be the driveshaft length that would be different.

fl335i · 11-04-2010, 11:57 AM

Looks like exactly as he said. Diff, shafts and d-shaft. I think I'm going to go this route. I rather have OEM parts vs aftermarket whenever possible. Not to mentions if I have a LSD installed in my curret diff, I'm paying for labor, shipping... vs paying for parts. I rather pay for OEM parts, not labor.

Kevin Harney · 11-04-2010, 12:57 PM

Nice link Jake !!! Thanks.

chesney72 · 11-04-2010, 01:42 PM

Only part of the M3 method I don't like is the gear ratios changing so cruising in top will be at higher rev's.

Kevin Harney · 11-04-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesney72

Only part of the M3 method I don't like is the gear ratios changing so cruising in top will be at higher rev's.

From what I read it did not seem to be a significant change. Did I read wrong ? ie 3.08 to 3.15 ....

MKE_M3 · 11-04-2010, 07:46 PM

I think an aftermarket diff designed for yuor car's rearend is probably a lot less complex and less labor than fitting a diff not designed for your car's rear end. My 2 cents. I am waiting for a wavetrac LSD that I got for a good deal through a group buy. I expect the all in cost to be about $1800, including labor.

e90TiAg335i · 11-04-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdemetry

I think an aftermarket diff designed for yuor car's rearend is probably a lot less complex and less labor than fitting a diff not designed for your car's rear end. My 2 cents. I am waiting for a wavetrac LSD that I got for a good deal through a group buy. I expect the all in cost to be about $1800, including labor.

That would be true unless you have a welded ring gear like mine. Then it's probably cheaper going the m3 route. The only labor you'd have to pay for is the driveshaft cutting and balancing. I'm definetly going the m3 route when I come across the right deal!

fl335i · 11-05-2010, 07:58 AM

If you got welded gears, so much better. Not only is a LSD, it's re-geared and OEM quality. +1 for the M3 diff. Just more of a PITA to find a the parts at the right price.

BX TT3 · 11-05-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90TiAg335i

That would be true unless you have a welded ring gear like mine. Then it's probably cheaper going the m3 route. The only labor you'd have to pay for is the driveshaft cutting and balancing. I'm definetly going the m3 route when I come across the right deal!

+1

GeorgeSmooth · 11-05-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M335i Oreo Package

+1

You also need to buy the M3 driveshafts as the 335 has a different bolt patern.

e90TiAg335i · 11-05-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

You also need to buy the M3 driveshafts as the 335 has a different bolt patern.

You'd only have to buy the rear half of the m3 driveshaft and cut down the front driveshaft from the 335. Then have them balanced.

MKE_M3 · 11-05-2010, 07:24 PM

I'm not sure why you think the labor will be less. Cutting drive shafts, installing differant axles, etc. is all work you don't need to do with teh Wavetrac kit for welded diffs.

MKE_M3 · 11-05-2010, 07:26 PM

Perhaps someone who did the M3 swap can quote what their "all in" price was. BTW, I would much rather have the M3 diff than quaife or WaveTrac as it is one of the best LSDs on teh market, supplying nearly 100% of torque to the wheel with the most traction. I didn't go that route because I expected it to be far more complex and expensive. If I was wrong, DOH!

klipseracer · 11-06-2010, 12:55 AM

Its been done, and you'll just have to be able to live with custom and warranty issues... In all honesty, with a welded diff you're better off sourcing some m3 parts and living with the ratio change. Otherwise just go get a wavetrac. There is or was a great group buy going on. I wish I had a LSD

e90TiAg335i · 11-06-2010, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdemetry

I'm not sure why you think the labor will be less. Cutting drive shafts, installing differant axles, etc. is all work you don't need to do with teh Wavetrac kit for welded diffs.

Because all I'd have to pay for is the driveshaft modification and balancing.

GeorgeSmooth · 11-06-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90TiAg335i

You'd only have to buy the rear half of the m3 driveshaft and cut down the front driveshaft from the 335. Then have them balanced.

I know. I am the only one that has done this thus far.

MKE_M3 · 11-06-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeSmooth

I know. I am the only one that has done this thus far.

How much, all in, did it cost? How much work did you do yourself? It would really help the community if we knew more details.

11-04-2010, 08:14 AM	#1
chesney72 Second Lieutenant Drives: JB4 G5 335i Sport Touring Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 272 iTrader: (1)	E90 M3 diff on a 335i? Expecting this to be "NO" but thought I'd ask. 335i is a nice car and good fun but I reckon a good LSD would add to that. The M3 has a proper LSD so could this be fitted to a non M3 E90/91 Other option is the Quaiffe I suppose.
	Tweet

11-04-2010, 10:24 AM	#5
Jake C Lieutenant Drives: 2009 335i 2010 335d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: US/UK Posts: 403 iTrader: (0)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=M3+Diff - J __________________ In Memory of LeRoi Moore 1961-2008.

11-06-2010, 12:55 AM	#19
klipseracer Colonel Drives: 2007 E90 335i, 05 E46 330i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,928 iTrader: (27) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2005 330i [0.00]	Its been done, and you'll just have to be able to live with custom and warranty issues... In all honesty, with a welded diff you're better off sourcing some m3 parts and living with the ratio change. Otherwise just go get a wavetrac. There is or was a great group buy going on. I wish I had a LSD __________________ Join the Facebook group for N54/5/2 owners and enthusiasts! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=112468002137607 Procede Rev II \| STETT CAI \| AMS FMIC \| Snow Stage 2 \| 3" DP/MP \| BSH OCC \| Performance Steering Wheel \| Amuse Rep Trunk \| CF Hood \| MORR VS7 \| H&R Street Performance Coilovers \| Rixt3r Vent Gauge

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-04-2010, 09:21 AM	#2
JayKay335i Banned Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH Posts: 5,049 iTrader: (1)	Search. Somebody fitted an m3 diff. Not sure if it was e90 or e46. The aftermarket ones are also good choices.

11-04-2010, 10:08 AM	#4
fl335i Captain Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: FL Posts: 625 iTrader: (1)	subscribing... Had the same thought the other day. Why spend 3k and all the labor to put a LSD in my 335i when I could maybe swap out for a M3 diff assy from a wrecking yard.

11-04-2010, 11:57 AM	#7
fl335i Captain Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: FL Posts: 625 iTrader: (1)	Looks like exactly as he said. Diff, shafts and d-shaft. I think I'm going to go this route. I rather have OEM parts vs aftermarket whenever possible. Not to mentions if I have a LSD installed in my curret diff, I'm paying for labor, shipping... vs paying for parts. I rather pay for OEM parts, not labor.

11-04-2010, 12:57 PM	#8
Kevin Harney Captain Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 767 iTrader: (0)	Nice link Jake !!! Thanks.

11-04-2010, 01:42 PM	#9
chesney72 Second Lieutenant Drives: JB4 G5 335i Sport Touring Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Scotland Posts: 272 iTrader: (1)	Only part of the M3 method I don't like is the gear ratios changing so cruising in top will be at higher rev's.

11-04-2010, 07:46 PM	#11
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,502 iTrader: (0)	I think an aftermarket diff designed for yuor car's rearend is probably a lot less complex and less labor than fitting a diff not designed for your car's rear end. My 2 cents. I am waiting for a wavetrac LSD that I got for a good deal through a group buy. I expect the all in cost to be about $1800, including labor.

11-05-2010, 07:58 AM	#13
fl335i Captain Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: FL Posts: 625 iTrader: (1)	If you got welded gears, so much better. Not only is a LSD, it's re-geared and OEM quality. +1 for the M3 diff. Just more of a PITA to find a the parts at the right price.

11-05-2010, 07:24 PM	#17
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,502 iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure why you think the labor will be less. Cutting drive shafts, installing differant axles, etc. is all work you don't need to do with teh Wavetrac kit for welded diffs.

11-05-2010, 07:26 PM	#18
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,502 iTrader: (0)	Perhaps someone who did the M3 swap can quote what their "all in" price was. BTW, I would much rather have the M3 diff than quaife or WaveTrac as it is one of the best LSDs on teh market, supplying nearly 100% of torque to the wheel with the most traction. I didn't go that route because I expected it to be far more complex and expensive. If I was wrong, DOH!