LSD 3.15 - 3.25 188mm (Non-torsen)
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2025 8:37 pm
This is the final piece of the puzzle for my M52 swap, give me a shout if you have one or know someone who does 

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Are you tracking the car? Any reason you want a plated diff? Can't say I have seen many 3.15 plated ones. 3:25 are also quite rare in the UK as they generally came on the 325e in the US. 3.15 diffs from the Z3 are mainly Torsen
Maybe the odd track day but nothing major. Everything I’ve read is basically saying to go for a clutch plated one, then I was thinking if I’m going to spend the money may as well go all the way.flybynite wrote: ↑Mon Jun 09, 2025 5:14 pmAre you tracking the car? Any reason you want a plated diff? Can't say I have seen many 3.15 plated ones. 3:25 are also quite rare in the UK as they generally came on the 325e in the US. 3.15 diffs from the Z3 are mainly Torsen
Easiest way is to make one up from bits and pieces, especially as any plated diff you get will likely need complete overhaul anyway.
Good luck with the hunt anyway![]()
I have driven both a lot in the past and for road use I prefer the Torsen. I find it far more progressive. If you have power and grip with a plate clutch locked up you are only going in a straight line.e30newman wrote: ↑Mon Jun 09, 2025 7:08 pmMaybe the odd track day but nothing major. Everything I’ve read is basically saying to go for a clutch plated one, then I was thinking if I’m going to spend the money may as well go all the way.
What’s your thoughts? Will I notice a difference / is it worth it?
flybynite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:10 pmI have driven both a lot in the past and for road use I prefer the Torsen. I find it far more progressive. If you have power and grip with a plate clutch locked up you are only going in a straight line.e30newman wrote: ↑Mon Jun 09, 2025 7:08 pmMaybe the odd track day but nothing major. Everything I’ve read is basically saying to go for a clutch plated one, then I was thinking if I’m going to spend the money may as well go all the way.
What’s your thoughts? Will I notice a difference / is it worth it?
Downside of the Torsen is if you lift a wheel it acts like an open diff, which is why they can be a problem on track if you are bumping up kerbs all the time as it can unsettle the car mid bend. On the road they are fine and unlike the plate ones they tend to last and be bulletproof. Any plate LSD you get will need a lot spending on it whereas the Torsen will likely be good to go with no more than an oil change.
I hedge my bets as I have one of each to go in my pair of E30s![]()