(Sold): M-Factory Helical LSD with 3.38 Final Drive

[JeffSaysThings]

I'm offering my M-Factory Helical Limited Slip Differential for Sale. 3.38 final drive ratio, which is slightly shorter than the 3.07 OE ratio.

Only 16k miles on the unit!

The differential is currently installed in my car (which is also listed for sale), but I have the OE diff I can swap out if I find a buyer for the differential alone.

I found that the LSD made a great addition to the car... it improves drivability and make the car more fun. The car truly should have come this way stock!

There is no unusual maintenance required with this differential. This is a direct swap with your OE diff... once you receive the differential, you swap your output flanges over (they pop right out) and it bolts in!

No pictures yet, but it looks like a e46 diff that's painted shiny black.


EDIT: Sold with the car!

[BMWCurves]

GLWS! A couple of questions for you:

1. Does it make any "clunking" noise during braking, engaging gears, etc?
2. What decrease in fuel economy did you notice with the 3.38 final drive ratio?
3. Have you had any other "issues" or annoying aspects with the diff while you've had it installed?

[JeffSaysThings]

I have answers!

1. I think it sometimes makes a clunk when you engage 1st gear but I've generally stopped noticing it. That's it though; drivability is OE quality or better.

2. I noticed a small decrease in fuel economy, particularly on the highway. Maybe 1 or 2 mpg. The rpms are higher than stock, but not high enough that you'd think anything of it. I think it's an improvement...I always felt like the OE gearing was a bit too tall for the ZHP powerband.

3. No issues whatsoever.

Traction control intervenes less frequently in daily driving and when the car does does grip it's more controllable than with the OE open diff.

[az3579]

Well, here I was seriously thinking about it until you said there's a clunk when engaging 1st gear. Sigh...
Dreams ruined.

[Vas]

Did M-Factory do a rebuild service on the housing prior to installing the LSD?

[JeffSaysThings]

Well, here I was seriously thinking about it until you said there's a clunk when engaging 1st gear. Sigh...
Dreams ruined.

Really? If someone didn't point it out I don't think I'd ever even notice it. My old (but brand new) WRX made far more drivetrain noises that my ZHP could even dream of.

Did M-Factory do a rebuild service on the housing prior to installing the LSD?

Yes, I bought a used housing and shipped it to M-factory. They rebuilt it and shipped it back with the LSD installed.

[Vas]

Even more tempting now to pull the trigger on this.

[ELCID86]

I have this same setup and love it. I do have a slight clunk while engaging 1st gear sometimes. I very seldom notice it and I don't think it happens every time (and William, mine is not as noticeable as Dan's was).

Vas. Go for it!

[az3579]

Really? If someone didn't point it out I don't think I'd ever even notice it. My old (but brand new) WRX made far more drivetrain noises that my ZHP could even dream of.

I'm super picky about noises. I couldn't drive an E46 M3 because they ALL seem to have that hideous clunking when engaging first. Absolutely hate that sound.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

It's the way and LSD works, right?