LSD for E39 530 sport

[crofty1984]

Am I correct in thinking the 530 sport doesn't have an LSD? my recent excursions in the snow would confirm this. Is there one available? Could I get one from a different model and fit it?
Thanks, Dan

[sniff diesel]

Quaife do one for the 540i, maybe worth contacting them as it may fit:

http://www.quaife.co.uk/BMW-540i-E39-ATB-different...

[papercup]

sniff diesel said:

Quaife do one for the 540i, maybe worth contacting them as it may fit:

http://www.quaife.co.uk/BMW-540i-E39-ATB-different...

anyone know how much this is?

[phelix]

crofty1984 said:

Am I correct in thinking the 530 sport doesn't have an LSD? my recent excursions in the snow would confirm this. Is there one available? Could I get one from a different model and fit it?
Thanks, Dan

You must have traction control on an e39 530, right? Apols if I'm stating the obvious but an LSD will just make both wheels spin (albeit at a higher power level) and then rather than just losing forward acceleration you'll get oversteer as well. No worries if you're prepared for it but your pulse might rise a bit if you're not.

[Fox-]

I can't really say that shedloads of unwanted wheelspin is a regular occourance when powernig out of corners in my 530i Sport, though.

Perhaps some better tyres might be a cheaper alternative!

[crofty1984]

Hi all
Shedloads of wheelspin out of the corners isn't my issue, it's a mixture of low-traction situations as I'm next to the alps and Snow's an issue. I don't want all power going to only one wheel if it starts to slip, and also when I do like to poke the back out ever so occaisionally, I feel that LSD makes it a lot more predictable.
TBH, it's maybe not worth it. If someone had said "Yes, get the diff from a XXX and bolt it in, I might have done.
I'm thinking about getting a Chimaera if I can sell my racing car, so I'll use that for thrills.
Thanks anyway,
Dan

[Slurms]

Check out Birds they do a range of LSD for most BMW's

[madou]

crofty1984 said:

Hi all
Shedloads of wheelspin out of the corners isn't my issue, it's a mixture of low-traction situations as I'm next to the alps and Snow's an issue. I don't want all power going to only one wheel if it starts to slip, and also when I do like to poke the back out ever so occaisionally, I feel that LSD makes it a lot more predictable
Dan

Are you already using good winter tyres ? I use Dunlop Winter Sport 3D on my E39 540iA Sport Touring

Not sure how well Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing differential would work on a low grip surface when compared to a traditional, plate style limited slip differential

[ScottHughes]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I agree with Phelix I had a 3.2 omega with a LSD and while it was great fun using rear tyres every 6000 miles it did kick the back out with the lightest touch on the go pedal, although it may have been a plate type diff which locks at a certain torque rather than a biasing diff like the quaife

At slow speeds in the snow and alike I suppose it would be just the job??

Edited by ScottHughes on Monday 12th January 21:05

[bobthemonkey]

papercup said:

sniff diesel said:

Quaife do one for the 540i, maybe worth contacting them as it may fit:

http://www.quaife.co.uk/BMW-540i-E39-ATB-different...

anyone know how much this is?

From Birds

Rear Axle QUAIFE ATB Diff. Conversion Kit +
Application : 523,525,528,530 3.07:1
Installation cost : £316.10
Parts cost : £829.06

[BikealarmBlair]

everyone NEEDS an LSD! have an E46 & will be changing mine asap

there was a company who were also making one that were at the autosports show last week but can't recall the name of them

[ScottHughes]

Try this

http://www.gearboxman.co.uk/psdiffsquaife.html

[papercup]

phelix said:

You must have traction control on an e39, right? Apols if I'm stating the obvious but an LSD will just make both wheels spin (albeit at a higher power level) and then rather than just losing forward acceleration you'll get oversteer as well.

Yep, thats sounding good

[papercup]

bobthemonkey said:

papercup said:

sniff diesel said:

Quaife do one for the 540i, maybe worth contacting them as it may fit:

http://www.quaife.co.uk/BMW-540i-E39-ATB-different...

anyone know how much this is?

From Birds

Rear Axle QUAIFE ATB Diff. Conversion Kit +
Application : 523,525,528,530 3.07:1
Installation cost : £316.10
Parts cost : £829.06

Mine is a 540 - not on that installation list

[papercup]

ScottHughes said:

Try this

http://www.gearboxman.co.uk/psdiffsquaife.html

ooh there it is

Somebody stop me

[madou]

papercup said:

Mine is a 540 - not on that installation list

Talk to Phil Crouch

I think he has already fitted one to an Alpina B10, and did not see an issues fitting to an E39 540i

[papercup]

papercup said:

ScottHughes said:

Try this

http://www.gearboxman.co.uk/psdiffsquaife.html

ooh there it is

Somebody stop me

A few of my friends have called into question ATB diffs, saying they are better for FWD cars and not as good for rear, that 'plated' diffs would be better?

Anyone have any opinions on this? Or any idea what they were on about?

I just used my E39 540 to reverse my trailer down a muddy track. I thought i'd gone too far so i tried to go back up. I couldn't; one wheel just spun as it wasn't on the gravel in the normal wheel tracks, it had gone into the mud at the edge. I had to unhook the trailer and put it away by hand. Then, without the trailer, i still couldn't move

I had to roll back and find purchase for both wheels...i either need a good LSD for this car, or to sell it and buy something 4WD, which i don't want to do (I like my 540 )

Andy

[papercup]

ScottHughes said:

Try this

http://www.gearboxman.co.uk/psdiffsquaife.html

Worth mentioning here, in case anyone else finds this or is interested, that the £660 quoted from the above site for the Quaife is out of date. Birds now have the sole rights to sell this kit and its £829 from them

[papercup]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yup, they, and Gearboxman, both gave me Birds' number. Birds have exclusive rights to all Quaife LSDs for Bimmers.

Bit the bullet; booked in on Thursday to have it fitted. At Birds. Looked around and couldn't beat the 'drive-in, drive-out' ease of it. Found others that would fit it but they only wanted the diff (out of the car), etc.

What the hell, its cheaper than selling my 540 and buying an Audi, or some ghastly off-roader.

[papercup]

anonymous said:

[redacted]