210mm diff questions for E36 fitment - when is a 210 not a 210?

[NOTORIOUS VR]

The local Bay Area junkhoarders are selling them for $1200 on Craigslist.

A new Lsd unit from wavetrac retail is only $1395 for the 210mm

Certainly the prices have gone up over the years abut that's a little excessive IMO for a part that will need to be rebuilt.

Re. diff, I'd be just fine with a fresh rebuilt stock LSD/diff. No fancy diff needed.

anyways, it seems this thread has gone off course from it's original intention. No one can confirm what exact diffs are 100% compatible other than the E32 750il and E34 M5 diffs and no one seems to want to/can verify that other "large case" differentials like 540 diffs are not internally the same.

[wanganstyle]

Certainly the prices have gone up over the years abut that's a little excessive IMO for a part that will need to be rebuilt.

Re. diff, I'd be just fine with a fresh rebuilt stock LSD/diff. No fancy diff needed.

anyways, it seems this thread has gone off course from it's original intention. No one can confirm what exact diffs are 100% compatible other than the E32 750il and E34 M5 diffs and no one seems to want to/can verify that other "large case" differentials like 540 diffs are not internally the same.

Bmw parts counter will sell you a new one if not nla.


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[NOTORIOUS VR]

Bmw parts counter will sell you a new one if not nla.

[tofunin]

I'll check out the local picker junk yard when a E34 540 shows up but im pretty sure it will be the same diff as an open E32 740/750

[chikinhed]

If you needed to rebuild the diff anyway it would be nice to know what parts from which diffs would work to build one that works for our purposes.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I'll check out the local picker junk yard when a E34 540 shows up but im pretty sure it will be the same diff as an open E32 740/750

Would be interesting to know for sure, this as I've been told is not the case.

[tofunin]

Would be interesting to know for sure, this as I've been told is not the case.

So from what I have seen and re-read from my previous research they're pretty much the same casing only difference is the input flange and the VSS connector.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...nger-Available

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=1374

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Mainte...fferential.htm

[NOTORIOUS VR]

So from what I have seen and re-read from my previous research they're pretty much the same casing only difference is the input flange and the VSS connector.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...nger-Available

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=1374

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Mainte...fferential.htm

I've seen and read all of the pages I could find (including the ones you just posted), and you're right externally they all look identical except for small differences like the input flange, VSS, mounting points on the case, cover, etc.

Unfortunately internally is where they are said to be different... if you look at my OP you will find that the LSD is even a different part number. This leads me to believe there might be some truth to the internals being different in some way. If they're physically smaller (and/or weaker) or just not interchangeable that I do not know.

The only way to know for sure is if someone has access to the diffs and takes them apart to compare side by side.

[wanganstyle]

Iirc I shipped butters a 2,93 210mm gear quite a while back.

210mm diff with 2,93 Lsd oem
Doesn’t exist in the USA as shipped in a car from the Bmw factory commonly.

This having been said there is a E34 540i running around with a 2.82 Lsd in the Bay Area, a E34 with a 2.93 Lsd, a 850 with a 2.93 Lsd.......I may have been involved with this Frankensteinization.



If you want a e32/34 210mm in 2,93 with LSD that uses the rally road kit to bolt into a e36 You gotta build it sorry;

1994/5 E34 540i 6mt msport has an open diff; I have built an Lsd for one well known forum members car (abl imports)

The E34 540ia msport has an open diff. Have one in local friends shop now. The Bmw factory did build a 2.65 Lsd; it came
Oem in a very common e31 model; 850csi. Perhaps option on some 850-6mt.

Local friend has one 850csi in his shop

This post and prior above should explain it all; was involved in various local random friend project Frankensteins


There is a local E34 540ia with m variable Lsd from e92m and 2,93 changed to 3.15 from a e34m5

There is another local E34 540i-6mt running around with original 2.82 and e92 m variable differential.

There is also a local e31 with 2.93 and e46 m variable Lsd running around.

Everything was customized; multi generational gathering of players style

[NOTORIOUS VR]

This post and prior above should explain it all; was involved in various local random friend project Frankensteins


There is a local E34 540ia with m variable Lsd from e92m and 2,93 changed to 3.15 from a e34m5

There is another local E34 540i-6mt running around with original 2.82 and e92 m variable differential.

There is also a local e31 with 2.93 and e46 m variable Lsd running around.

Everything was customized; multi generational gathering of players style

Honestly dude, you're not adding anything informative to this thread what so ever and certainly not actually answering the questions in the OP. You're posts explain exactly ZERO, so not sure if you're just trolling or just here to make noise.

There is no question that you can make other parts work in other diffs, but unless you're actually going to come up with a list of interchangeable parts I don't understand what you're doing right now. You said in your PM to me that you don't want to help with DIY stuff, so why are you here? Just to advertise?

[wanganstyle]

Honestly dude, you're not adding anything informative to this thread what so ever and certainly not actually answering the questions in the OP. You're posts explain exactly ZERO, so not sure if you're just trolling or just here to make noise.

There is no question that you can make other parts work in other diffs, but unless you're actually going to come up with a list of interchangeable parts I don't understand what you're doing right now. You said in your PM to me that you don't want to help with DIY stuff, so why are you here? Just to advertise?

Read prior two statements and your original question can be answered. Don’t need to ask for spoon feeding as we are all adults and should be able to read between the lines as done in professional life at work.

This is a public forum and posting is open to all.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Read prior two statements and your original question can be answered. Don’t need to ask for spoon feeding as we are all adults and should be able to read between the lines as done in professional life at work.

Don't be daft. Nothing YOU have said is related to what my OP is about. I'm asking for the community to help with my question, what you've posted so far isn't any help. You obviously don't want to be a part of the community (you said so in our Facebook chat) and your posts reflect that.

This is a public forum and posting is open to all.

That's generally something people say when you're caught with their pants around their ankles.

[wanganstyle]

Don't be daft. Nothing YOU have said is related to what my OP is about. I'm asking for the community to help with my question, what you've posted so far isn't any help. You obviously don't want to be a part of the community (you said so in our Facebook chat) and your posts reflect that.



That's generally something people say when you're caught with their pants around their ankles.

Are you often caught on your knees?


***you are still not reading the obvious data point answering your question***

Above statement as I would repost to a noob;


3,15 from e39 m5 = direct interchange to the place of original 2,93 from 34 540ia open.

To the even more noob sauce I’d spoon feed some more

Open unit from 540i-6 direct interchange with m variable from e46m/92m/60m

The same housing will bolt
Into a e31 and can also take a m variable Lsd or open or clutch type. Ain’t care

I don't give away time as a consultant for $0 nor support DIY projects for free; but Misinformation is not ok

the housing of the E28/24 M5 M6 cars and the E32 740/750 v8/v12 cars and the housing of basically every single other 210mm traditional unit between e23-e60 generations is the same

the gears interchange,
clutch type lsd units interchange internal parts but have 3 different series

the early 210mm clutch type LSD is from E28/24 and e23 7 series era
the middle revision is from e34/32
the late version is in e34 m5 late model, e39m and e36 3.2 euro evo

the m variable also has 2 series, gen 1 and gen2; these unit were OEM equipment in the E46M3 and e60M5 and e92M3

gen 1 was in early 46m, gen2 was in late. Gen one can be taken apart and inspected for damage, gen2 is sealed but seems to be more robust.

both would be a good inexpensive street option for a LSX swap car needing a 210 conversion and inexpensive LSD for drag racing; just buy a complete e46m3 donor and a e32/34 540/740i open 2.93 as they are the cheapest

one could build a 210mm e32/34 3.64 m-variable LSD (from any 46m/60m/92m) unit dirt ass cheap style for drag racing/drifting into a wall

[someguy2800]

Sometimes you just have to buy some stuff and figure it out.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Are you often caught on your knees?


***you are still not reading the obvious data point answering your question***

Above statement as I would repost to a noob;


3,15 from e39 m5 = direct interchange to the place of original 2,93 from 34 540ia open.

To the even more noob sauce I’d spoon feed some more

Open unit from 540i-6 direct interchange with m variable from e46m/92m/60m

The same housing will bolt
Into a e31 and can also take a m variable Lsd or open or clutch type. Ain’t care

I don't give away time as a consultant for $0 nor support DIY projects for free; but Misinformation is not ok

the housing of the E28/24 M5 M6 cars and the E32 740/750 v8/v12 cars and the housing of basically every single other 210mm traditional unit between e23-e60 generations is the same

the gears interchange,
clutch type lsd units interchange internal parts but have 3 different series

the early 210mm clutch type LSD is from E28/24 and e23 7 series era
the middle revision is from e34/32
the late version is in e34 m5 late model, e39m and e36 3.2 euro evo

the m variable also has 2 series, gen 1 and gen2; these unit were OEM equipment in the E46M3 and e60M5 and e92M3

gen 1 was in early 46m, gen2 was in late. Gen one can be taken apart and inspected for damage, gen2 is sealed but seems to be more robust.

both would be a good inexpensive street option for a LSX swap car needing a 210 conversion and inexpensive LSD for drag racing; just buy a complete e46m3 donor and a e32/34 540/740i open 2.93 as they are the cheapest

one could build a 210mm e32/34 3.64 m-variable LSD (from any 46m/60m/92m) unit dirt ass cheap style for drag racing/drifting into a wall

Now that is what I'm talking about, would have been easier just to give these points from the beginning. The extra detail paints a clear picture that large case = large case and internally large case stuff can be swapped around.

As you say misinformation is NOT ok and I agree with that 100%. There seems to be plenty of confusion and lack of info that leads to misinformation unfortunately. I'd like to thank you for your info/input!

Sometimes you just have to buy some stuff and figure it out.

You're right, but fringe access to parts makes that difficult for some and with just some basic info/clarification which seems to have come up now (above) makes the risk less pronounced to just throwing money away. I have no problem releasing my findings, I'm just here to learn and enjoy my car. But certainly for the amount of people who run 210mm diffs, the info is really lacking as a community.

[pbonsalb]

What is the story with 215mm diffs?

[wanganstyle]

What is the story with 215mm diffs?

What’s 215mm?

There is 188k and 215k

Those are both compact and completely different standards than 188mm and 210mm

If you are talking about case bearings this is complete irrelevant to the e36 application;

The e92m pinion bearings are same as 215k e92 335 and e38 215k

The e92m uses a 210mm Lsd and gear and side bearings; it’s an m car still.

The bigger 215k pinion bearing set is non interchange with older 210mm Diffs; they also are plastic double roller ball bearing style and not sold by Bmw; the e92 crowd is stuck with these and will be paying dearly for it long term.

[mjungbluth]

https://metricmechanic.com/wp-conten...ferentials.pdf





I have no personal experiences with Metric Mechanic, but enjoyed the info and wanted to add to this dormant conversation.


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