3.46 Differential

[Zchild]

Hey there Gearheads and Bimmer dreamers I'm sure this thread has got history as well as legs, but I'm currently planning my next mod and have chosen upgrade my 2.93 differential on my 00 323i to a 3.46. I'm wondering has anyone upgraded and is 3.46 a little too ambitious and maybe I should consider the 3.15. Any-who, get back at me with opinions as I'm planning this upgrade for sometime in May 2K7. Happy Motoring...

[ChosenGSR]

Are we talking about auto or manual? I don't think the 3.46 is too aggressive. It's probably a happy medium between better acceleration and revving way too high for highway driving.

[Zchild]

Are we talking about auto or manual? I don't think the 3.46 is too aggressive. It's probably a happy medium between better acceleration and revving way too high for highway driving.

Manual of course, sorry I didn't state that upfront, would the 3.15 give me a better combination?

[glindsay]

I too had a 2.93 in my '03 330Ci 5-speed and replaced the dif with new from BMW 3.38 used behind the 330 automatics.

There are many pros and cons for placing a different ratio dif in a car and I certainly had my reasons and never looked back. But it would help us all to understand yours and given such can offer specific objective advice.

I found the E46 Fanatics site to be a great resource. One useful Do It Yourself (DIY) post is
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=145570
and searching for other dif posts are particularly useful to gain relevant opinions.

[OwnedbyDuncan]

If you are going through all that trouble you may want to consider a limited slip or a quaiffe(sic) diff.

Deal with a reliable seller. And change the fluid to Redline soonest.

Also consider replacing anything that may fail later on seals, bearings, CV joints, boots etc.

Dave Apker and the collies

[1996 328ti]

I don't know the different gear ratios from your tranny to mine, but. . .
At 80 mph I'm reving at around 3800 rpm.
I don't like having the revs above 4K for any length of time.
Between all the solid bushings I have, there is a lot of buzzing and vibration.

[rodpaine]

I just put a 3.46 LSD in my '83 528e, replacing the 2.93 LSD and I documented the installation on my web site at this page http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7aq8e/id20.html. The 3.46 is turning out to be a very good choice, over the 3.25 and 3.64 ratios I investigated and drove, given the type of driving I do, which is long distance and rural.
FWIW,
-Rod