e36 m3 evo vs e46 m3 rear end?

[s50b30]

I have had alot of e36's without any rear end problems. Even with the 188 diff.
The 210mm evo diff is supposed to be bulletproof.
But how is the rear end on an e46 m3 in comparrison?
I is the diff as reliable as the e36 m3 diff?
And how is halfshafts holding up?

I am finally getting ready to start a higher hp build, that im trying to get as reliable as possible.
Just left to decide e46 vs e36.
Engine and tranny is coming from another car.

Thanks for inputs!

[s50b30]

no one?
how does the variable diff in the e46 m3 work With drifting?

[bennyfizzle]

There isn't a whole lot of people running the large-case diffs int he states, which happens to be the majority of the population on this forum. Sorry :/

[s50b30]

You got the big diff in the e46 m3, dont you?

[papiichulo]

They're non compatible with an e36.

[MPD47]

You can put an e46 m3 diff into an e36, the question is, why would you. If you have the option, start with the e36 evo differential. The e46 m3 variable diff wears out quickly, doesn't provided consistent lockup and requires replacement with a 210 case based lsd unit to be built as a proper clutch based LSD setup.

[s50b30]

Can you swap the internals from e32/e34 210 diff to the e46 housing?

[wanganstyle]

Yes; I build e46m differential cases often with os giken L1
racing units or e39 m5 lsd units (we don't have e36 evo here in usa- otherwise I'd use those).

E34 M5
E34 540
E32 750
e39 m5
e36 3.2 evo
e46 m3
E60 m5
E92 m3

share 210mm ring and pinion standard.

The e36 evo lsd unit with its equal length stub axle outputs will direct replace the M-variable and it's unequal length outputs.

[s50b30]

Wow. That is great info!
Is it just the 3.2 lsd that is a direct fit.
or does e32 lsds also fit?

[wanganstyle]

Wow. That is great info!
Is it just the 3.2 lsd that is a direct fit.
or does e32 lsds also fit?


e32 v12 LSD units are the same 210mm LSD 25% but with M12 clearance holes for bolts;
E36 EVO and E39 M5 and some E34 M5 are M14 bolts and holes.

any gear from WBS car is a M14 bolts in the ring gear

if you have a precision Mill you can drill out the M12 holes to M14 size and bolt on a WBS M car ring gear.
If you have a WBS M car LSD unit with M14 holes you can size down to M12 with billet hole adapter reducers.

[s50b30]

What does wbs meen?

[tikamak]

Yes; I build e46m differential cases often with os giken L1
racing units or e39 m5 lsd units (we don't have e36 evo here in usa- otherwise I'd use those).

E34 M5
E34 540
E32 750
e39 m5
e36 3.2 evo
e46 m3
E60 m5
E92 m3

share 210mm ring and pinion standard.

The e36 evo lsd unit with its equal length stub axle outputs will direct replace the M-variable and it's unequal length outputs.

So if rebuilding an E46 M3 with an E39 M5 or E34 M5 LSD 25%, what are the stub axles needed? the ones from the E36 3.2 evo ? the equal length ones? what about the seals?