E36 driveshaft

[Drifter17a]

Hi guys

Is there a major difference between e36 328 and say 316 driveshaft?

I need to buy a replacement driveshaft which i have but the thickness of it is almost half of mine. See attached

[Drifter17a]

answer is no
the 325i is better and solid compared to 328i is what i found on the net

i have installed it on my e36 and it seems fine

[iSore]

316i, 318i 318iS and 320i shafts are no good as the inner CV joint is too small and won't bolt to the diff. Most 316i's are drum brakes anyway and definitely won't fit.

[helix402]

Pretty sure 328 driveshafts are unique to the 328.

[iSore]

328i and 323i ones are 'waisted' as above, and 325i ones were just straight. They interchange in pairs as the diff and outer hubs are all the same.

That reminds me of E46 driveshafts, mainly 330d/i. ; some clown at BMW decided that making some driveshafts and diff output shafts with unequally spaced bolt holes would be a good laugh.

BMW love to make life harder than it needs to be. Did they really need to have three different sizes of diff casings? Ford had one sized diff from 1300 to Cosworth.

[Drifter17a]

The 328 has the solid, fat bit and then solid as per picture
the 328 ones seem to be hollow in middle whereas 325 ones are solid all the way and heavier .

it did fit mine just fine