Old BMWs with LSD ?

[AJI]

Currently looking for a cheap RWD car for around the £800-£1500 area but not after the usual japanese brands like 200SX or MR2 etc. etc. (Already have a jap-sportscar and owned many in the past, so looking at something cheap and different)
So started to look at the older BMWs 3 series. But which versions of the 3 series have an LSD ?


The idea is to do a few track days (hence LSD) along with usual daily chores and commuting.



Cheers.

[OllieWinchester]

From memory you could spec it on any of them, though I would have said you are more likely to find one lurking beneath one with a 6cyl motor. Do you really need an LSD for track use? They haven't got that much power.

Edited by OllieWinchester on Friday 25th June 21:19

[AJI]

OllieWinchester said:

Do you really need an LSD for track use? They haven't got that much power.

In the wet they do make a noticable difference even on a lower power machine. I've driven a couple of low power cars in the wet (MX5 with LSD for example), and whereas in the dry you're right, the LSD is rarely put to noticable use, but in the wet on a slippery track it is working much more.

Edited by AJI on Friday 25th June 21:27

[Mr.Jimbo]

They were an option on almost all of them, as said above, but I believe its fair to say they were standard on the E30 325i sport & M3 only. Lots of 318iS' had them apparently, but annoyingly, not mine

[shirt]

my e28 528i has one, the only time I felt it was there was during a trouser-browning moment in the wet. no idea why it was specced as such as its auto.

if you want a cheap project, the autobox on mine has gone but I'm reluctant to scrap it, engine is strong and has been a great car until this. if you fancy swapping a manual box in, I only want 150 for it as need the drivespace and the guy i sold it to didn't turn up to collect.

[disco!!!!]

an lsd was one of the option boxes on most bmws
but you will most likely find them underneath a 6 cylinder engine
the E36 318iS did have the possibility of an lsd but they are as rare as rocking hosre poop
you will most likely find one attached to an early 328 sport you should be able to get a cheap one within your price range but the early ones are also famous for the nikasil issues
you could always but the bmw that you want and then search the scrappys for a diff that has an lsd and swap it over

[Captain Flashman]

Mr.Jimbo said:

They were an option on almost all of them, as said above, but I believe its fair to say they were standard on the E30 325i sport & M3 only. Lots of 318iS' had them apparently, but annoyingly, not mine

I think the only model it was standard on is the M3, but most 325iS's and 318iS's have them. and yeah it makes a big difference in the wet. It's a personal choice as to what you want, i've had a 325iS and i still miss it, but i also enjoy my 318iS. I liked the broader torque band on the M20, the M42 is a little peaky and doesn't have that creamy straight six engine note.

[disco!!!!]

Captain Flashman said:

Mr.Jimbo said:

They were an option on almost all of them, as said above, but I believe its fair to say they were standard on the E30 325i sport & M3 only. Lots of 318iS' had them apparently, but annoyingly, not mine

I think the only model it was standard on is the M3, but most 325iS's and 318iS's have them. and yeah it makes a big difference in the wet. It's a personal choice as to what you want, i've had a 325iS and i still miss it, but i also enjoy my 318iS. I liked the broader torque band on the M20, the M42 is a little peaky and doesn't have that creamy straight six engine note.

they were also standard on the early E36 328 sports later 97 cars were traction control as standard and lsds were an optional extra

[reggie82]

disco!!!! said:

Captain Flashman said:

Mr.Jimbo said:

They were an option on almost all of them, as said above, but I believe its fair to say they were standard on the E30 325i sport & M3 only. Lots of 318iS' had them apparently, but annoyingly, not mine

I think the only model it was standard on is the M3, but most 325iS's and 318iS's have them. and yeah it makes a big difference in the wet. It's a personal choice as to what you want, i've had a 325iS and i still miss it, but i also enjoy my 318iS. I liked the broader torque band on the M20, the M42 is a little peaky and doesn't have that creamy straight six engine note.

they were also standard on the early E36 328 sports later 97 cars were traction control as standard and lsds were an optional extra

I don't think lsd's were an optional extra on the later cars, think you were stuck with traction control unfortunately.

[Olivera]

Is an £800 to £1500 really going to have a working LSD? I'd be very surprised. If its a track car you'd almost certainly be better buying a non-LSD BMW and welding the rear diff.

[reggie82]

Olivera said:

Is an £800 to £1500 really going to have a working LSD? I'd be very surprised. If its a track car you'd almost certainly be better buying a non-LSD BMW and welding the rear diff.

Wouldn't a welded diff be a bit of a handfull on the track (unless of course you want to go sideways everywhere)?

[Olivera]

reggie82 said:

Olivera said:

Is an £800 to £1500 really going to have a working LSD? I'd be very surprised. If its a track car you'd almost certainly be better buying a non-LSD BMW and welding the rear diff.

Wouldn't a welded diff be a bit of a handfull on the track (unless of course you want to go sideways everywhere)?

Not really, I've driven welded diff cars on the track and they are very predictable. They are usually more predictable than an old LSD car, because those do not always lock in a consistent manner, and in many cases will no longer lock at all... A welded diff will give you even power to both wheels under all circumstances. Only downside is a bit of bucking and jerkiness on hairpin corners.

[reggie82]

Olivera said:

reggie82 said:

Olivera said:

Is an £800 to £1500 really going to have a working LSD? I'd be very surprised. If its a track car you'd almost certainly be better buying a non-LSD BMW and welding the rear diff.

Wouldn't a welded diff be a bit of a handfull on the track (unless of course you want to go sideways everywhere)?

Not really, I've driven welded diff cars on the track and they are very predictable. They are usually more predictable than an old LSD car, because those do not always lock in a consistent manner, and in many cases will no longer lock at all... A welded diff will give you even power to both wheels under all circumstances. Only downside is a bit of bucking and jerkiness on hairpin corners.

Fair dues, i've never driven a car with a welded diff and my preconceptions were obviously wrong

[saladdodger]

drivng with a mig spec diff is fun but i wouldnt wanna 'race' with it, to prone for stepping out as it 100% locked.

Im sure my E36 2.5i se coupe had a diff, left two lines when you floored it.

[Shropshiremike]

Olivera said:

Is an £800 to £1500 really going to have a working LSD?

Yes.

Could it be recon'd to even better?

Yes.

IME the plate diffs last a fair bit better in terms of lockup than VC types

[AJI]

thanks for the replies....they've given me plenty to consider.

Edited by AJI on Saturday 26th June 23:19

[Tunku]

Look for black ones with tinted windows - sure to have LSD.

[Mr Will]

shirt said:

my e28 528i has one, the only time I felt it was there was during a trouser-browning moment in the wet. no idea why it was specced as such as its auto.

if you want a cheap project, the autobox on mine has gone but I'm reluctant to scrap it, engine is strong and has been a great car until this. if you fancy swapping a manual box in, I only want 150 for it as need the drivespace and the guy i sold it to didn't turn up to collect.

shame you aren't closer, I really miss my old e28 528i.

[shirt]

Mr Will said:

shirt said:

my e28 528i has one, the only time I felt it was there was during a trouser-browning moment in the wet. no idea why it was specced as such as its auto.

if you want a cheap project, the autobox on mine has gone but I'm reluctant to scrap it, engine is strong and has been a great car until this. if you fancy swapping a manual box in, I only want 150 for it as need the drivespace and the guy i sold it to didn't turn up to collect.

shame you aren't closer, I really miss my old e28 528i.

mine is bronzit with the brown velour interior. best colour combo ever!

seriously, I want it gone by the end of the month else its destined for the scrappy. if anyone is interested pm me.

[disco!!!!]

reggie82 said:

disco!!!! said:

Captain Flashman said:

Mr.Jimbo said:

They were an option on almost all of them, as said above, but I believe its fair to say they were standard on the E30 325i sport & M3 only. Lots of 318iS' had them apparently, but annoyingly, not mine

I think the only model it was standard on is the M3, but most 325iS's and 318iS's have them. and yeah it makes a big difference in the wet. It's a personal choice as to what you want, i've had a 325iS and i still miss it, but i also enjoy my 318iS. I liked the broader torque band on the M20, the M42 is a little peaky and doesn't have that creamy straight six engine note.

they were also standard on the early E36 328 sports later 97 cars were traction control as standard and lsds were an optional extra

I don't think lsd's were an optional extra on the later cars, think you were stuck with traction control unfortunately.

they were an option but more than likely they would have been a stupidly expensive option. anyone who was buying one would have though whats the point when i have tc as standard