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Thread: E46 330i axle compatibility?

  1. #1
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    E46 330i axle compatibility?

    With all the racing e46's, I figured this might be a place to get a quick answer. Looking at parts diagrams, it seems that my 2001 330i, rwd, MT, has a drivers side axle that is replaceable with non automatic trans 330i axles, or an 325i/xi, or 328 i/xi rear drivers axle. Am I wrong? Do they all fit? Realoem only has a different part number for the 330i auto driveshaft. is that one stronger because of the shorter final drive?

    I come to you guys for help because I had my drivers side axle fail on me this past weekend. I'm not trying to replace it with some FEW junk, since it's a drift car. I want to source one used off ebay, but it's a bit difficult to figure out exactly which model's axle would fit.

    I appreciate any help that you can give,

    Thank you!

  2. #2
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    If you go to rel oem and use the last seven of the vin then go to section 33 to axles then click on the part number it will go the a listing that lists the cars that use that axle

  3. #3
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    If you have a later 330i, you'll have the 94mm diff flanges with the offset spaced bolt holes. If you have an earlier one, it will have the 86mm with equally spaced bolt holes. The 94mm ones can only be replaced by 330i late style. The 86mm ones can use the 330i auto or the XI axles (I think), unless you also swap the diff flanges. You cannot use the non XI 328 or 325 since the wheel bearing and spline size is smaller.

    As suggested, RealOEM is your friend.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  4. #4
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    The 330i/330Ci automatic axles (rear) are the same as the 2001 330i/330Ci axles. The CV joints are much, much stronger than on the later axles with the 94mm diff flanges (the ones with the offset bolt spacing). I used to have about one rear CV failure a year until I switched to the automatic / early manual axles. If you do this you need to switch to the early rear ABS sensors as well.

    Benefit of this is you can run solid diff flanges as well, I think off of non-M E36. The E46 ones are cast hollow well into the splines. They break.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by John V View Post
    The 330i/330Ci automatic axles (rear) are the same as the 2001 330i/330Ci axles. The CV joints are much, much stronger than on the later axles with the 94mm diff flanges (the ones with the offset bolt spacing). I used to have about one rear CV failure a year until I switched to the automatic / early manual axles. If you do this you need to switch to the early rear ABS sensors as well.

    Benefit of this is you can run solid diff flanges as well, I think off of non-M E36. The E46 ones are cast hollow well into the splines. They break.
    Yes ... we do this as well. Bu the e36 flanges only work on Diffsonline diffs, not the stock e46 diff since the circlip is in a different spot.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by ScotcH View Post
    Yes ... we do this as well. Bu the e36 flanges only work on Diffsonline diffs, not the stock e46 diff since the circlip is in a different spot.
    They work fine with my Blanton diff, and with my backup MFactory diff.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by ScotcH View Post
    Yes ... we do this as well. Bu the e36 flanges only work on Diffsonline diffs, not the stock e46 diff since the circlip is in a different spot.
    The e36 flanges can have a 46 position for the circlip cut, the opposite also works if you need a 46 flange to fit a 36 LSD. Machine shop + lathe + some money later
    Wanganstyle Powertrain
    http://www.wanganstyle.com/

    S54B32 E36 M3 DTA S100 Sedan Street car full swap:
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1437471

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by wanganstyle View Post
    The e36 flanges can have a 46 position for the circlip cut, the opposite also works if you need a 46 flange to fit a 36 LSD. Machine shop + lathe + some money later
    Don't do this ... they WILL snap at the cut location. Been there, done that, not doing it again
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by ScotcH View Post
    Don't do this ... they WILL snap at the cut location. Been there, done that, not doing it again
    Sounds like it was cut too deep.

    Little known fact;

    The z3 3.0 cars had e36 style subs with 6 bolt y style 2-2-2 holes just like the 46 330.

    The real solution to strange problems of this kind is to fit an Lsd actually designed for the 46 instead of hacked e36 Lsd.
    Wanganstyle Powertrain
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    S54B32 E36 M3 DTA S100 Sedan Street car full swap:
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1437471

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by wanganstyle View Post
    Sounds like it was cut too deep.

    Little known fact;

    The z3 3.0 cars had e36 style subs with 6 bolt y style 2-2-2 holes just like the 46 330.

    The real solution to strange problems of this kind is to fit an Lsd actually designed for the 46 instead of hacked e36 Lsd.
    Agreed ... but guess what, the original DiffsOnline diffs for the e46 (as in what BW ran in WC) had e36 guts in them, so required these types of hacks :P

    The new DiffsOnline diffs are properly built to use the e46 output flanges.

    And the issue with the ring groove wasn't that it was cut too deep. It creates a stress point, even is shallow. Because the flange is hollow (the e36 one is solid), it snaps right at the cut.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  11. #11
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    E46 330i axle compatibility?

    Quote Originally Posted by ScotcH View Post
    Agreed ... but guess what, the original DiffsOnline diffs for the e46 (as in what BW ran in WC) had e36 guts in them, so required these types of hacks

    The new DiffsOnline diffs are properly built to use the e46 output flanges.
    Guess what; these issues are not my fault.

    There were proper fitting units avail even back in the day; a decision to not use proper parts is obvious and the consequences still stand.

    You would hope that after 20 years some adaptation would have happened to use native prop shafts.
    Wanganstyle Powertrain
    http://www.wanganstyle.com/

    S54B32 E36 M3 DTA S100 Sedan Street car full swap:
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1437471

  12. #12
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    So, I feel kind of weird resurrecting my own thread, but I want to ask for a few clarifications, because I'm feeling the same vibration that I did before my last axle snapped. I'm just going to order a few and have some spares on hand, since this seems to be an issue for my drift car. Basically, I can buy any used OEM axle which is for the rear of 1) an Auto trns (any year) OR EARLY Manual trans, and 2) is off a 330i specifically, because 325i/328i ones don't fit. But wait, the 325xi/328xi rear axles fit too?

    So, are they side dependent? Can I put an originally left side axle on my right side? vice-versa? or are they explicitly side dependent? From what I remember, there's nothing that made it side specific when I had it off.
    Last edited by awp235; 10-29-2018 at 01:41 PM.
    Keep it simple: half gutted '01 330i, welded diff, BC coils, SLR Super kit

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by awp235 View Post
    So, I feel kind of weird resurrecting my own thread, but I want to ask for a few clarifications, because I'm feeling the same vibration that I did before my last axle snapped. I'm just going to order a few and have some spares on hand, since this seems to be an issue for my drift car. Basically, I can buy any used OEM axle which is for the rear of 1) an Auto trns (any year) OR EARLY Manual trans, and 2) is off a 330i specifically, because 325i/328i ones don't fit. But wait, the 325xi/328xi rear axles fit too?

    So, are they side dependent? Can I put an originally left side axle on my right side? vice-versa? or are they explicitly side dependent? From what I remember, there's nothing that made it side specific when I had it off.

    They are side dependent ... the passenger side is longer. People have used spacers in the past so that a driver side can be used, but I've never tried that.
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  14. #14
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    But any xi rear (assuming correct side) from an e46 will work, assuming 325/328 xi?
    Keep it simple: half gutted '01 330i, welded diff, BC coils, SLR Super kit

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by awp235 View Post
    But any xi rear (assuming correct side) from an e46 will work, assuming 325/328 xi?
    I just had a look again on RealOEM ... it's really messed up. Looks like 328 is the odd ball, 325i/ auto 330i are the same, and 330Ci and late 330i are different again. You also need to worry about ABS sensor trigger wheels, as that affect your choices as well. Just stick to your model, and you should be fine, lol
    Check out the 8legs Racing page: https://www.facebook.com/8legsRacing/


  16. #16
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    It is really messed up! So I looked under my car to be sure, I have the offset holes. Realoem labels mine as the 94mm, and I carried over the same differential flanges to my current diff, so for axles I'm looking for the ones that came on the car. ABS sensors dont matter to me, because they're removed for a dual caliper rear anyway. I found a set of both sides on ebay, which I put an offer on, from a 2001 330ci, I took the vin and the part numbers are the same for my 2001 sedan/ the ci that the donor car was.

    Thank you for your help!
    Keep it simple: half gutted '01 330i, welded diff, BC coils, SLR Super kit

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