[MacklinUSOB]

So, I'm sure I'm one of many with at least some curiosity on this subject... Has anyone seen or had installed an LSD on an N20 car? It's a shame the M Performance diff is only offered on the N55/B58 cars...

After looking online I found an option from MFactory, but investigating it reveals itself to be a welded kit of some sort, and that makes me disinterested. Does anyone have experience with this product, or know of a non-weld based replacement?

Appreciate it guys!

[add911_11]

I used Qualife LSD and no complaint.

I am on B48 330i

[Stubok]

Originally Posted by add911_11

I used Qualife LSD and no complaint.

I am on B48 330i

Where did you get it? Having a hard time finding A place to get this.

How hard was it to get fitted?

[add911_11]

I ordered it through Bird's auto UK. There is an email address which can lead you the way.

If you brought the version with the pumpkin, it is simply a blot on job. For me, it took about 4 hours inclusive of testing and refill diff oil.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by add911_11

I ordered it through Bird's auto UK. There is an email address which can lead you the way.

If you brought the version with the pumpkin, it is simply a blot on job. For me, it took about 4 hours inclusive of testing and refill diff oil.

Thanks for all of this information, it really looks like they have the 28i market cornered as far as diff options go... time to start saving some extra!

[add911_11]

Qualife do have different version for manual/automatic drivetrain... so do check with them carefully.

[BeFantastic]

I looked a lot into this too, it appears the options are Quaife, Wavetrac, and ECS tuning appears to have a few options for Mfactory too - helical or plate LSDs.

My main worry is changing the final drive ratio though.

[Stubok]

Originally Posted by add911_11

I ordered it through Bird's auto UK. There is an email address which can lead you the way.

If you brought the version with the pumpkin, it is simply a blot on job. For me, it took about 4 hours inclusive of testing and refill diff oil.

When you say pumpkin, you mean the whole enclosure?

I'm a little confused as to which differential the 328i has. I've seen comments on welded vs bolted... not sure what those references are to. (Update: found the following at Wavetrac - http://www.wavetrac.net/application_bmw.htm). So that clears that up.

According to my Bentley Manual the 328i has the 188LW rear differential which is the same as the 335 with AT.

Also did you buy the pry tool they reference? And all new seals and bolts? Or just replaced what was there?

I just noticed you said you have a 330i with B48. I guess this changes things.

So back to the OP's original question of whether there is a Bolt on option for the 328i N20.

[add911_11]

Originally Posted by Stubok

When you say pumpkin, you mean the whole enclosure?

I'm a little confused as to which differential the 328i has. I've seen comments on welded vs bolted... not sure what those references are to. (Update: found the following at Wavetrac - http://www.wavetrac.net/application_bmw.htm). So that clears that up.

According to my Bentley Manual the 328i has the 188LW rear differential which is the same as the 335 with AT.

Also did you buy the pry tool they reference? And all new seals and bolts? Or just replaced what was there?

I just noticed you said you have a 330i with B48. I guess this changes things.

So back to the OP's original question of whether there is a Bolt on option for the 328i N20.

Yes, my phrase of "pumpkin" is simply the enclosure that holds the differential in place.

If you buy the LSD only, you have to use the original enclosure, open it, change the LSD, then welded it back and bolt back on the drivetrain.

If you buy the complete pumpkin package (like me), it is simply the bolt on drivetrain job.


I believe those pictures from the manual are showing the differential after cracking open the enclosure.

The enclosure must be present when driving, thats where the rear diff oil goes.

This kind of LSD is just the same as the typical Jap car LSD. In Jap car's application, most of the product do not come with the enclosure, hence the garage have to crack open and re-welded the enclosure.

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by add911_11

Yes, my phrase of "pumpkin" is simply the enclosure that holds the differential in place.

If you buy the LSD only, you have to use the original enclosure, open it, change the LSD, then welded it back and bolt back on the drivetrain.

If you buy the complete pumpkin package (like me), it is simply the bolt on drivetrain job.


I believe those pictures from the manual are showing the differential after cracking open the enclosure.

The enclosure must be present when driving, thats where the rear diff oil goes.

This kind of LSD is just the same as the typical Jap car LSD. In Jap car's application, most of the product do not come with the enclosure, hence the garage have to crack open and re-welded the enclosure.

So, just to clarify why they are the same in the Bentley manual first, the gear assembly is the same on the 35i auto and 28i BUT their respective enclosures are different dimensions/cannot be swapped, correct?

Edit: My confusion was having trouble finding an M LSD for my 6MT N20, there is none.