Do e46 diffs whine?!

[Simon13]

I've go a whine from the rear i'm pretty sure its a wheel bearing but i'm sure i've heard the diffs can get a whine on.

But after 120k would be surprising theres no leaks so i assume it has oil in it!

Before i take the plunge and buy a bearing

[manse73]

Mines on 155k and the only whining noise I get is from the wife

[mcbonio]

They do make a little gear/spooling noise along with the gearbox, but shouldn't whine.

[DanThe]

Pair of axle stands under the back and run it in gear, you will soon narrow the noise down, good chance its a wheel bearing though

[Simon13]

I've done that this morning but to be honest i'm still not sure. I'm pretty sure it is the bearing, but luckily the diff isn't anything special. If it is was i'd be inclined to gear it down a touch 3.38 diff from an auto 330. Mine is currently on a 3.64. That would get the revs down and the mpg up a touch

[DanThe]

Cant beat a stethoscope

[bss325i]

Or a long screw driver if you dont have a stethoscope.

Rear wheel bearings are common on E46's.

Your B3S will have a 188 medium case diff and are usually ok, bit of back lash in high mileage though.

[alpina123]

Don't know about alpinas but 330 auto petrols do seem to suffer diffs

[bss325i]

The Alpina B3S is based on the 330.

You only frag them right, not repair?

[alpina123]

Yeah that's what I'm saying sell a lot of 330 auto diffs

[bss325i]

Well without being rude, your view will be tainted as all you will be seeing is a customer that requires a part not one that doesn't.

Countless E46's with 188 case diffs have passed through the workshops i have worked in and i can count on one hand the amount of them that have had excessive noise which to me means it's not a common problem.

168 diffs on the other hand.....

[alpina123]

Yeah I understand what you mean no one ever rings and sais I'm ringing for the fun of it Theres nothing wrong with my car you are correct on the small case diffs though especially 3.38 they are truly shite, how many miles has Simons car done do you know?

[bss325i]

About 120k i think?

168 diffs are toilet. The amount of them ive changed on E8x and E9x 1 and 3 series!

[alpina123]

Yep e90 and e87 are worse, my dad's b3 touring has done 186k and the diffs good and dry

[Simon13]

My car has done 121k i'm pretty sure its the bearing. But if i get it done and it isn't and the diff then i'm gonna gear it down a touch see how it fares

[mcbonio]

My 330ci 3.38 diff has 126k on it, oil was changed at 100k. Not a peep out of it, not even the slightest clunk.

[Simon13]

twas the bearing, all quiet now much nicer!

[magpie]

Yep e90 and e87 are worse, my dad's b3 touring has done 186k and the diffs good and dry

said the expert in noisy diffs !