535 E34 Final Drive Ratio

[3CSi]

Hey! What is the final drive ratio of a 1990 535 E34 manual? I've been thinking of changing to a 3.46 from an E32, but I don't know if the gearing will be higher or lower, though I was hoping to lower it.

[clevertd]

It's 3.46.

[bigsixe34]

^Yep, it's 3.46 already. Most people upgrade manual 535i's with 3.73 or 3.91 gears. There is a formerly more frequent member named Stir Fry A Lot who went from the stock 3.46 to 3.64 and then again up to 3.73. I remember him saying that the difference between the 3.64 and 3.73 was much more noticeable than from 3.46 to 3.64, even though it was only half the difference.
In short: Don't waste your time and money on a 3.64 if you want shorter gearing...Go a little shorter.
Edit: I also just noticed that you said you want to go "lower" with the gearing. By that do you mean numerically or rationally?

[Bwaterman]

The later model 535s came with a 3.64

[3CSi]

It's non-LSD at the moment, that's the only reason I'm changing. Been thinking about a 3.91 from a M5.

[abulrum]

I have LSD 2.93 ! I can get 180 km/h on the 3rd gear !

[clevertd]

It's non-LSD at the moment, that's the only reason I'm changing. Been thinking about a 3.91 from a M5.

Different size case.

[bigsixe34]

I have LSD 2.93 ! I can get 180 km/h on the 3rd gear !

OK but, what's the point? Your 5th/economy gear is probably unuseable/uneconomic now...

[Meeve]

I have LSD 2.93 ! I can get 180 km/h on the 3rd gear !

and now accelerate like your average auto m20.

[Heiska]

Different size case.

noup. 535 and m5 use same 210 size final drive and output shafts are same see here. it's bolt on. done that. but output shaft -> final drive bolts need change if use s38b38 final drive

[shogun]

some more info on final drive ratios for various models incl. E34 https://web.archive.org/web/20180306.../diffratio.htm

[moroza]

Yes, I realize this is an ancient post, but for the benefit of anyone finding this in the future...

noup. 535 and m5 use same 210 size final drive and output shafts are same see here. it's bolt on. done that. but output shaft -> final drive bolts need change if use s38b38 final drive

US-market 535i used medium-case (188mm) diffs. Euro-market 535i and all M5 used large-case (210mm). Hence the Finnish member saying it'll work and the US member saying it won't. Your Market May Vary.

[E34DinanZeemax]

What about going to the 3.15? I'm a noob to LSDs.... it's a semi-expensive upgrade, what can someone expect from upgrading?

[demetk]

What about going to the 3.15? I'm a noob to LSDs.... it's a semi-expensive upgrade, what can someone expect from upgrading?

That ratio works well with a turbo. I'm running a 3.07 in my e28 turbo.