Cheaper LSD alternative.

[BimmerWill]

Just got an email from ecs about these. Wondering what you all think or if anyone has experience with these.

Seems like it would be fairly straight forward.

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E46_325i_325ci_328i_328ci_330i_330ci_MFactory_ Limited_Slip_Differential_1999_2000_2001_2002_2003 _2004_2005_2006/?utm_source=emailcampaign&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=retail&utm_campaign=BMW_E46_3Series_i_Ci_MFactory

[TigerTater]

Just got an email from ecs about these. Wondering what you all think or if anyone has experience with these.

Seems like it would be fairly straight forward.

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E46_325i_325ci_328i_328ci_330i_330ci_MFactory_ Limited_Slip_Differential_1999_2000_2001_2002_2003 _2004_2005_2006/?utm_source=emailcampaign&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=retail&utm_campaign=BMW_E46_3Series_i_Ci_MFactory

Lol. I just got the email also. I was about to post the same thing! Very curious on this brand. Price is tempting.

[BimmerWill]

Yes it is. I'm shocked there isn't an additional price for a 1.5 or 2 way.

[stephenkirsh]

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E46_325i_325ci_328i_328ci_330i_330ci_MFactory_ Limited_Slip_Differential_1999_2000_2001_2002_2003 _2004_2005_2006/

Anybody seen these before?

[stephenkirsh]

Damnit. I just made the same thread lol.

[BimmerWill]

I just started a thread on it maybe 20 minutes ago.

[stephenkirsh]

I just saw. Tapatalk doesn't auto update the forum for me.

Mods: delete please :(

[BimmerWill]

Haha I saw it lol.

[johnrando]

Merged.

[BimmerWill]

Merged.
Thanks Rando :thumbsup

[stephenkirsh]

Yes it is. I'm shocked there isn't an additional price for a 1.5 or 2 way.

So what's 1.5 or 2.0 mean?

Maybe it's a mistake since they just launched them.

[BimmerWill]

So what's 1.5 or 2.0 mean?

Maybe it's a mistake since they just launched them.
Got this from a post off Drifting.com

"The main difference is that a 1-way will control slip on acceleration, a 2-way on acceleration and deceleration, and a 1.5 way on both but to a limited extent (making for easier turning than a 2-way).

You can also get tunable LSD's, which usually have some sort of friction plate system which can be re-arranged to precipitate different levels of slip. Usually there will be an inner shaft connected to the driveshaft and an outer shaft connected to the wheels with a number of clutch discs in between. These discs would be something like DWDWDWDWDW (on a 10-disc system with D being the driveshaft and W being the wheels) with the highest limit on slip (9 contact surfaces), but they could be arranged to be DDWDDWWDWW (5 contact surfaces) for less limited slip effect.

I hope this helps rather than confuses...

-MR"

Username: Mranlet

[stephenkirsh]

Interesting. So it sounds like you'd want a 2.0? Unless the "1.5 makes for easier turning than a 2-way" means something different than I thought it does.

[wsmeyer]

Interesting. So it sounds like you'd want a 2.0? Unless the "1.5 makes for easier turning than a 2-way" means something different than I thought it does.

They are referring to turning under engine braking condition. With a 2.0 way the outer wheel will generate more engine braking force countering steering.

[slater]

i got the same email from ECS and asked them about installation -

1. the factory rear diff has to be machined to accept this
2. they are not going to be offering a turn-key solution

we could approach dan @ diffsonline about possibly offering this unit as an option...? i can only see it being about $400 cheaper than the quaife as he seems to charge about $1000 for his services (R&D, custom-machined LSD carrier, etc).

peter

[BimmerWill]

You'd want a 1.5 more than likely for a DD otherwise your inside wheel would be chirping every time you made sharp turns such as a parking lot. Also a 2 way locks up the rear on braking as well as acceleration so you would run into problems in cornering situations.

1 ways are more for grip/auto cross and 2 ways are more for drifting. A 1.5 is supposed to be a balance between the two.

[BimmerWill]

i got the same email from ECS and asked them about installation -

1. the factory rear diff has to be machined to accept this
2. they are not going to be offering a turn-key solution

we could approach dan @ diffsonline about possibly offering this unit as an option...? i can only see it being about $400 cheaper than the quaife as he seems to charge about $1000 for his services (R&D, custom-machined LSD carrier, etc).

peter
Interesting. I have a friend who could do the machining for me so it may still be a viable option for me.

[slater]

Interesting. I have a friend who could do the machining for me so it may still be a viable option for me.

nice. group buy? :)

peter

[danewilson77]

Fits 330i/Ci 2001-2003?

Are they implying that it won't work with ZHP? Diff housing diff-erent?

[BimmerWill]

Fits 330i/Ci 2001-2003?

Are they implying that it won't work with ZHP? Diff housing diff-erent?
Hmm I didn't notice that..

[TheFinanceGuy]

Fits 330i/Ci 2001-2003?

Are they implying that it won't work with ZHP? Diff housing diff-erent?

I see what you did there.


Nice catch. I didn't see that line either. Someone ask ECS

[rguti153]

Weak

[stephenkirsh]

Yea there's no word on final drive ratios. I'm assuming the "for automatics" is a 3.46 and "for manuals" is the 2.93 (or what ever the non zhp diff ratio is).

[slater]

Fits 330i/Ci 2001-2003?

Are they implying that it won't work with ZHP? Diff housing diff-erent?


Yea there's no word on final drive ratios. I'm assuming the "for automatics" is a 3.46 and "for manuals" is the 2.93 (or what ever the non zhp diff ratio is).


right from the MFactory website... should absolutely fit our cars, provided we have the stock rear diff:

http://www.teammfactory.com/helical-lsd_165

Part Number: MF-TRS-05E46

Fitment: BMW E46/E8X/E9X

Description: E46 325i/328i/330i (MT) / E8X 120d/Z4 3.0i (MT) / E9X 320d (MT) Helical LSD. For Final Ratio less than 3.07

however, as i mentioned earlier... i contacted ECS, they "said" machining off the diff carrier is required. might want to contact MFactory for a second opinion...

peter

[HokieZHP]

The MFactory diffs seem to be of good quality. On the E9x platform, lots of guys run them and have had good luck with them. I may be picking one up in the next few months for my 335

[BimmerWill]

Looks like it may be a solid option. We might could get a group buy together if enough are interested.

[slater]

The MFactory diffs seem to be of good quality. On the E9x platform, lots of guys run them and have had good luck with them. I may be picking one up in the next few months for my 335

who is doing the install for the E9x guys?



Looks like it may be a solid option. We might could get a group buy together if enough are interested.

definitely. i wonder if diffsonline would be interested. hmmm. i only speculate because dan (@ diffsonline) is supposed to do amazing work - i know a guy who has a diff from him and loves it.

peter

[HokieZHP]

who is doing the install for the E9x guys?

peter

I'm sure just local shops. I'd have my friend in Roanoke do the install at his shop

[slater]

I'm sure just local shops. I'd have my friend in Roanoke do the install at his shop

so no machining necessary?

peter

[94jedi]

I'm sure just local shops. I'd have my friend in Roanoke do the install at his shop

I'm in Raleigh. Might have to look up your friend in Roanoke for this.

[slater]

update... i guess, if this is considered an update. :)

i called MFactory and spoke to david, who is one of their techs that deals with BMWs. he said they will do the install if desired, it is $995 for the diff, $400 for install and $50 for BMW factory parts (shims/seals/etc). so $1445 - that's a GREAT price. this is only if the ring gear is bolted on - does anyone know if ours are? i haven't looked inside one before. he mentioned if the ring gear was welded on, there would be about $400-$500 in machining costs required.

if someone could confirm about the ring gear in our diffs, that would rock. at $1445 i will most likely be buying one of these at tax return time. :)

peter

[HokieZHP]

Yeah the welded diffs require more work. Mine is welded which is a pain

[BimmerWill]

Yeah the welded diffs require more work. Mine is welded which is a pain
I wonder if there is a simple way to determine if ours has the welded one or not versus having to take it apart.

[HokieZHP]

I wonder if there is a simple way to determine if ours has the welded one or not versus having to take it apart.

Not sure for ZHPs. It varies by model year, xi vs rwd, model, etc with the e9xs. So there's a chart that lists it all

[BimmerWill]

Not sure for ZHPs. It varies by model year, xi vs rwd, model, etc with the e9xs. So there's a chart that lists it all
Oh I didn't realize there was a chart that listed them all.

[HokieZHP]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=657738

Scroll down in this thread and there's a chart

[sillieidiot]

all the info on this diff has been on e46f for awhile now. paraklas (or something like that) did the first review on it. and i think they are/were a sponsor for awhile.

[wertyu78]

all the info on this diff has been on e46f for awhile now. paraklas (or something like that) did the first review on it. and i think they are/were a sponsor for awhile.

I'm pretty sure Dan at Diffsonline sells these. The ring gear is bolted in. Your best bet is to reach out to Dan or Mfactory directly and going with the purchase, swap diff, send core back option. +1 for Dan.

If you can wing it, go ahead and buy a true clutch type LSD as nothing is quite the same - but at $999 for the Mfactory ain't bad.

[terraphantm]

I wonder if there is a simple way to determine if ours has the welded one or not versus having to take it apart.

I don't think they started welding them until after the 335s came out. All E46s should be bolt-on

[derbo]

I don't think they started welding them until after the 335s came out. All E46s should be bolt-on

335i are the first ones with welded diffs.

[Crickett]

I'm pretty sure Dan at Diffsonline sells these. The ring gear is bolted in. Your best bet is to reach out to Dan or Mfactory directly and going with the purchase, swap diff, send core back option. +1 for Dan.

If you can wing it, go ahead and buy a true clutch type LSD as nothing is quite the same - but at $999 for the Mfactory ain't bad.

So buying an MFactory 1.5-way with buy/swap/core option would be The Best[emoji769] way to go (in your opinion)?

[slater]

So buying an MFactory 1.5-way with buy/swap/core option would be The Best[emoji769] way to go (in your opinion)?

are you tracking the car? (like wyatt)

personally, mine will likely never see the track, maybe once a year. i'm going for a helical LSD - maintenance-free (aside from fluid changes) and will give me everything i want.

peter

[slater]

all the info on this diff has been on e46f for awhile now. paraklas (or something like that) did the first review on it. and i think they are/were a sponsor for awhile.

i found and read that thread - very informative. based on his findings, i might tackle this myself, looks pretty simple.

peter

[wertyu78]

are you tracking the car? (like wyatt)

personally, mine will likely never see the track, maybe once a year. i'm going for a helical LSD - maintenance-free (aside from fluid changes) and will give me everything i want.

peter

I think it's a matter of preference - I prefer a true clutch type LSD because of the added performance and true mechanical grip benefits, nothing beats it. As far as maintenance goes, regular fluid changes should be the only regular maintenance needed - clutches every 100-150k, dependent on how it was driven.

I also believe this is why BMW chose to use a true clutch type LSD in every chassis leading up to the E46. Nothing wrong with a helical, though!


So buying an MFactory 1.5-way with buy/swap/core option would be The Best[emoji769] way to go (in your opinion)?

I think this would be the most cost effective/painless method. Dan at diffsonline is a great guy to talk to, give him a shout and tell him what your goals are - he can work with you on the best solution. I've heard the same with the Mfactory, guys.

[derbo]

I think it's a matter of preference - I prefer a true clutch type LSD because of the added performance and true mechanical grip benefits, nothing beats it. As far as maintenance goes, regular fluid changes should be the only regular maintenance needed - clutches every 100-150k, dependent on how it was driven.

I also believe this is why BMW chose to use a true clutch type LSD in every chassis leading up to the E46. Nothing wrong with a helical, though!



I think this would be the most cost effective/painless method. Dan at diffsonline is a great guy to talk to, give him a shout and tell him what your goals are - he can work with you on the best solution. I've heard the same with the Mfactory, guys.

I want your setup. :)

[wertyu78]

I want your setup. :)

Derek, everything is for sale. Everything.

[MFactory]

ECS Tuning are an Authorised Distributor for MFactory, and have most popular fitments in stock :)

[M0nk3y]

I think it's a matter of preference - I prefer a true clutch type LSD because of the added performance and true mechanical grip benefits, nothing beats it. As far as maintenance goes, regular fluid changes should be the only regular maintenance needed - clutches every 100-150k, dependent on how it was driven.

I also believe this is why BMW chose to use a true clutch type LSD in every chassis leading up to the E46. Nothing wrong with a helical, though!



I think this would be the most cost effective/painless method. Dan at diffsonline is a great guy to talk to, give him a shout and tell him what your goals are - he can work with you on the best solution. I've heard the same with the Mfactory, guys.


+1

I annoyed Dan a million times and he responded back every time in a professional manner. Set me up with an awesome diff and have no reason not to run stickers on my car for him :)


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