Another Setback...

[Motorhole]

Ok, didn't see this one coming!

Just tried to fit a Z3M diff to my E30, which has a 5-stud 318ti compact rear suspension setup. No problem fitting the diff...but the driveshafts are too small for the output flanges! Had been led to believe these would fit.

So what are my options? I imagine E36 compact output flanges in the diff are a no-go, with it being medium case vs. E36 compact small case? Or rebuild the driveshafts with Z3M inner CV joints? Is that possible? Or will I need to fork out for a pair of Z3M driveshafts, rip off my trailing arms and get it all fitted?

[jmc330i]

If the 318ti rear setup fits an E30 medium case diff, I'd say you need E30 325i output flanges in the diff.
That's the only thing that needs changing when fitting a Z3M diff to a standard E30 rear end, so as long as the 318ti driveshafts fit a 325i diff, that's what you should need.

[Motorhole]

I dont think the compact driveshafts do fit a standard 325i rear end. I got a feeling the profile of the output flanges is a different shape...

[jmc330i]

Just reading the Wiki, it says the 318ti trailing arms are a bolt on swap, says nothing about changing diff output flanges when using a medium case E30 diff.
This would suggest the E36 compact driveshafts fit the E30 medium case output flanges, in which case that is what you need - medium case E30 diff flanges fitted to the Z3M diff.

[Motorhole]

Cool thanks chaps. Sounds like this can be resolved without having to fork out for some Z3M driveshafts!