E39 Part - Interchangeable Parts w/ E38?

[AquilaBMW]

So.... as some of you already know, I am going to part out the M5 :(. I am just wondering what things are inter-changeable? I already know the struts won't work on an E38. But what about the brakes? Those things look great.

I am not planning to bother with switching over the cluster unless no one buys it from the part out. The rear view mirror is already gone :D.

If you can think of anything, please lemme know. Cheers!

[spitfire980]

the diff and the half drive shaft

Maybe seats?

[GSXRliterbikz]

Front seats will swap. I think door handles. Some electronics. Possibly mirrors. How much you want for the cluster? Pm me if you like.

[dazednkenfused]

no, on the mirrors....front seats, steering wheel, rear view, radiator, cluster....

side note, still need the program for auto fold mirrors. =)

Can the cluster be reprogrammed???

[AquilaBMW]

the diff and the half drive shaft

Maybe seats?

Diff - Yes, but not sure it's plug and play. What's the need for the 1/2 drive shaft? Is that to match up to the Diff?


Front seats will swap. I think door handles. Some electronics. Possibly mirrors. How much you want for the cluster? Pm me if you like.

Yes on seats, but not interested in the seats. Not sure on door handles. Mirrors are a no no - Ken and I actually confirmed this :(. I will check on cluster for you Nick. Cheers!

Michael


no, on the mirrors....front seats, steering wheel, rear view, radiator, cluster....

side note, still need the program for auto fold mirrors. =)

Can the cluster be reprogrammed???

I think the auto fold function comes from Intravee... Cluster can be reprogrammed, but I don't know how to do it.

[AlexDj]

How much for the diff?

Shipped to 98031
Pm me

[spitfire980]

Diff - Yes, but not sure it's plug and play. What's the need for the 1/2 drive shaft? Is that to match up to the Diff?

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6817/diffs.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5466/flanges2img000222010021.jpg

(1) mounting points are the same. Direct bolt in.
(2) width is the same. Axle shafts can be re-used.
(3)length is different. M5 LSD is longer. Drive shaft will need to be shortened. IIRC it's about a half an inch (will have to check on that). When swap is done on an e39 the M5 drive shaft is used (if obtained with diff). Back section for auto's and complete unit for manual cars.
(4)axle flanges on M5 diff are large diameter. May need to do some parts exchanging to match up flanges.

Comment from a post by BMW5868 on the flanges
For the record there are 3 flanges that are used that are designated by the "LK" which is the diameter of the bolt holes on the flanges, the flanges differ if it is a LSD or Open End rear diff., the spring retainers are located in different spots and the bearing race is longer as per the pic's. so that allows for 6 different applications. The 740i sport and 750il uses the larger flanges with axles (31mm) thick axles, 740i non sport (27mm).
FYI : Summary
33131428285 740i sport,750 larger flange app's OE diff 102mm/12mm, 31mm A/S
33131428284 740 non sport smaller flange OE diff 94mm/10mm, 27mm A/S
33131214068 M5 LSD large flange 102/12mm, 38mm A/S

[boxjelly]

Don't e39 M5s have leather sun visors? Pretty sure that is a direct swap/upgrade for an e38.

[AquilaBMW]

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6817/diffs.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5466/flanges2img000222010021.jpg

(1) mounting points are the same. Direct bolt in.
(2) width is the same. Axle shafts can be re-used.
(3)length is different. M5 LSD is longer. Drive shaft will need to be shortened. IIRC it's about a half an inch (will have to check on that). When swap is done on an e39 the M5 drive shaft is used (if obtained with diff). Back section for auto's and complete unit for manual cars.
(4)axle flanges on M5 diff are large diameter. May need to do some parts exchanging to match up flanges.

Comment from a post by BMW5868 on the flanges
For the record there are 3 flanges that are used that are designated by the "LK" which is the diameter of the bolt holes on the flanges, the flanges differ if it is a LSD or Open End rear diff., the spring retainers are located in different spots and the bearing race is longer as per the pic's. so that allows for 6 different applications. The 740i sport and 750il uses the larger flanges with axles (31mm) thick axles, 740i non sport (27mm).
FYI : Summary
33131428285 740i sport,750 larger flange app's OE diff 102mm/12mm, 31mm A/S
33131428284 740 non sport smaller flange OE diff 94mm/10mm, 27mm A/S
33131214068 M5 LSD large flange 102/12mm, 38mm A/S

A bored mind is a Devil's playground, especially the Devil that drives a BMW! Taking a break from my hectic life and of course having random thoughts .... as usually.

I got curious about this idea again - replacing the M-Sport's Diff with the M5 unit.

So, it seems it should work as it will fit and the side flanges are the same. Will the 1/2 shaft from the M5 bolt right up to the E38's drive shaft?

Ultimately, what is the benefit of installing the M5 Diff since both are 3:15 ratios?

[spitfire980]

A bored mind is a Devil's playground, especially the Devil that drives a BMW! Taking a break from my hectic life and of course having random thoughts .... as usually.

I got curious about this idea again - replacing the M-Sport's Diff with the M5 unit.

So, it seems it should work as it will fit and the side flanges are the same. Will the 1/2 shaft from the M5 bolt right up to the E38's drive shaft?

Ultimately, what is the benefit of installing the M5 Diff since both are 3:15 ratios?

:evil2 yep! haven't heard anything to the contrary, the main benefit from our E38 3.15 diffs is LSD which im sure the devil in you is saying :redspot

[AquilaBMW]

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6817/diffs.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5466/flanges2img000222010021.jpg

(1) mounting points are the same. Direct bolt in.
(2) width is the same. Axle shafts can be re-used.
(3)length is different. M5 LSD is longer. Drive shaft will need to be shortened. IIRC it's about a half an inch (will have to check on that). When swap is done on an e39 the M5 drive shaft is used (if obtained with diff). Back section for auto's and complete unit for manual cars.
(4)axle flanges on M5 diff are large diameter. May need to do some parts exchanging to match up flanges.

Comment from a post by BMW5868 on the flanges
For the record there are 3 flanges that are used that are designated by the "LK" which is the diameter of the bolt holes on the flanges, the flanges differ if it is a LSD or Open End rear diff., the spring retainers are located in different spots and the bearing race is longer as per the pic's. so that allows for 6 different applications. The 740i sport and 750il uses the larger flanges with axles (31mm) thick axles, 740i non sport (27mm).
FYI : Summary
33131428285 740i sport,750 larger flange app's OE diff 102mm/12mm, 31mm A/S
33131428284 740 non sport smaller flange OE diff 94mm/10mm, 27mm A/S
33131214068 M5 LSD large flange 102/12mm, 38mm A/S


:evil2 yep! haven't heard anything to the contrary, the main benefit from our E38 3.15 diffs is LSD which im sure the devil in you is saying :redspot

Okay... here is where stupid n00b me comes out. Can someone in simple terms explain the REAL benefit of an LSD. I have asked this before, but still out of the loop on this.

Both Diffs are 3:15 Ratio, so I assume performance will still be the same. Other than the ability to leave different length streaks on a burnout, what are the benefits of the LSD?

[spitfire980]

Okay... here is where stupid n00b me comes out. Can someone in simple terms explain the REAL benefit of an LSD. I have asked this before, but still out of the loop on this.

Both Diffs are 3:15 Ratio, so I assume performance will still be the same. Other than the ability to leave different length streaks on a burnout, what are the benefits of the LSD?

Ask and you shall receive

The LSD helps you get the power to the ground better. You will get traction and drive from both sides instead of just one and helps get traction out of a corner.This has its advantages in allowing more traction, especially during hard cornering, because a normal or "open" diff will allow the inside wheel to lose traction and spin as fast as it wants, while the outer tire (with most of the traction anyway) just freewheels. When you accelerate out of a bend you typically understeer because the front axle becomes light. If you add additional torque to the outside via an LSD (it doesn't matter whether it's on the front or the rear), that pulls the vehicle in and gives less understeer.

Another advantage is the opposite. Every LSD reduces throttle-off [lift-off] oversteer in a bend to a quite significant extent. Same goes for lane changing manoeuvres. If the vehicle becomes unstable the LSD more or less automatically reduces torque to stabilise and that's yaw damping.

Gathered from several internet sources so dont shoot the messenger

[kimokk]

Did anyone sort this out? To install an M5 diff on an e38 do you just need a shorter half shaft to mate up and replace the flanges for non-sport e38s?