Diff Replacement

[kiesh]

Hi boys n girls
Just got my first E30, (320i). bought it as a cheap run around, paid Ԛ£250 quid for it with a years MOT, and in damn good condition considering price! It does however need a new diff as mine sounds like a circular saw! Just wondering if you know whether i can put a 318 diff on as i have been offered one for Ԛ£50 and was told it would fit but lower the ratio...I like lower ratio it means acceleration is sweeet doesnt it!!

Would like to show you pics of my bargain beasty, but i cant figure out how to add them to my profile, any ideas?

Kieran

[Hyperion]

Welcome Kiesh
you must post up some pics of the car when you get a chance.
Hmm about the Diff not too sure about that, i thought the two models had the same diff's but i could be very wrong
Someone more technical minded will give you an answer soon.
cheers

[BrAdZ]

Yerp should fit,

Best thing to do is get the numbers off the tag on the diff you have been offered, 55 sounds about right for a non lsd

[Hyperion]

Hey Bradz
could you clear up the LSD thing for me,those the LSD diff work like a traction control?!?! to stop the wheels from spinning and to get the power to the road right.......

[BrAdZ]

nope........

On an open diff when you accelarate hard only one wheel will spin....

On an LSD it stops this and makes both wheels spin and the same pace, therfore making the car get more grip and go faster.

I dont know if you have an lsd on your 325i, have you ever built up the revs and droped the clutch? does your car leave 1 or 2 lines?

[Hyperion]

No never done that, its a auto, and im too scared to blow the box.
So no putting her in neutral reving then putting her into Drive for me.

is there any other way of finding out?

[E30BeemerLad]

No never done that, its a auto, and im too scared to blow the box.
So no putting her in neutral reving then putting her into Drive for me.

is there any other way of finding out?

jack the car up so both rear wheels are off the ground, then turn one of the wheels by hand, if the opposite wheel turns in the same direction then you more than likely have an LSD, if the other wheel turned in the opposite direction or not at all then you most likely have an open diff.

Not sure about the other fella's query about the diff ratios, the diff casing etc should be the same I think and should bolt straight in. Won't be able to tell what ratio he has in until he takes his out as i'm sure the numbers are at the top and half the time there is so much corrosion you can't read them anyway.

Where abouts in the North East are you fella? I'm from Norton/ Billingham originally.

Welcome to the zone by the way

[kiesh]

Currrently living in sunderland, at uni here, normally can be found harrasing the locals down winchester direction! I think i'll probably go for this 318 diff then, see what happens!

Would love to post pics, but like a said i cant find where i do it! Its pretty bog standard anyway at the mo, red, 2 door, manual, good cond etc etc.. if any of you know where i can find some fairly cheap alloys and a reasonable lowering kit (think the 60mm will be a bit ott! what you reckon?) let me know!

[Jos]

Apex kit on the zone shop in the next few days is what you want as far as cheap kits go, supposed to be very good for the money.

[Brianmoooore]

Got a list of diff ratios somewhere, but can't find it. Diff ratio on a 318 won't be much different from a 320 (if at all), and will fit straight in.(The mounting holes are the same, in spite of what you might think while actually changing it.)
Tourings and autos usually have higher ratios than saloons, and their have been occasional changes along the production runs.
Speedo drive is after the diff, so won't be messed up by a ratio change.
The metal tab can usually be read if you take it off and polish it up.

[Hyperion]

Get some pics together then go here:

http://www.imageshack.us/

Browse to where you saved your pics on your PC, and then click host.

Then just post the links then we can see it. cool.

[smithy318i]

Another local on the zone... Good.

[kiesh]

WOW Brian, you the daddy! thanks for the help, any suggestions of a good diff change (ignoring LSD's...tooexpensive!)