[Donq]

I have a welded diff on my 08 e92. I was wandering could I buy a bolted diff from a totaled e92 or e90 320d, 325d, 330d swap the cassette and put the bolted unit with lsd in my car. Thanks

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Donq

I have a welded diff on my 08 e92. I was wandering could I buy a bolted diff from a totaled e92 or e90 320d, 325d, 330d swap the cassette and put the bolted unit with lsd in my car. Thanks

Shouldn't be a problem, but you have to make sure that the size of the diff unit is the same as the one on your car. Just because it's from another 325d doesn't necessarily mean it's the same sized unit - BMW had a brief period where it was difficult to predict which size diff came on what car...

Also, by the time you've bought the replacement differential, assuming it's ok that is, you might as well have bought the welded swap out from Birds in the first place!

[Donq]

Thanks Tony. I know that is my best choice however since I am not local it involves high shipping charges and than shipping my diff back to birds. (total around 400 pounds) If I find a bolted diff here how can I found out if it will do the job. Thanks

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Donq

Thanks Tony. I know that is my best choice however since I am not local it involves high shipping charges and than shipping my diff back to birds. (total around 400 pounds) If I find a bolted diff here how can I found out if it will do the job. Thanks

The only way is to visually compare the two differential housing sizes between your car and the one from the breaker.

Are you sure it costs that much to ship?!

[E92Fan]

I did a bit of info digging for you, based on the VIN number of your car

a) your car uses a welded 188L-style differential with a 2.35:1 final drive ratio
b) your car also uses the latest style 3-bolt flange for the connection between the prop shaft (input shaft) to the differential. This 3-bolt mounting came into use when the diffs changed from bolted to welded construction. Earlier bolted diffs used a nut-type connection for the prop shaft

The problem you have is that you need an early bolted 188L 2.35:1 differential that uses the 3-bolt flange - this is basically impossible to find as this configuration doesn't exist as far as we can find out

If you want to continue down the breakers' solution, then you need to find a differential off a 2006 manual 325d or 330d which has a 2.35:1 final drive - there should be a sticker in the top of the diff unit which tells you what ratio it is. You will also need to buy the prop shaft (main input shaft) off that exact same car too.

Alternatively, buy an assembled version from Birds and exchange yours in return.

[Donq]

Thanks Tony in that case I think I will stick with the assembled unit from birds