1 Series Transmission

[ham]

Hi, Sorry for the crossover from Caterham but would like some information from BMW lovers. At the moment Caterham use Ford transmission parts in their cars which have always been a problem, particularly the diff, which has loads of backlash and whine. It seems they are now moving over to using BMW parts. As far as I know the prop, diff and drive shafts will come from the 1 Series with a final drive of 3.64, this will be linked to the present gearbox which is a Ford type 9, a proven box. Basically just wondering what the BMW diff is like and do you have any problems?
Appreciate any help with this query.

[aeropilot]

I assume this will be the bolted diff unit rather than the strengthened welded one as fitted to the manual trans 135i....??

Be interesting to see if/what they offer in terms of a LSD for that unit then...?

[ham]

Thanks for the response, yes, it's a bolted unit and Caterham are offering an open diff or LSD at extra cost.

[aeropilot]

ham said:

or LSD at extra cost.

I wonder which one......???

[ham]

Hi, I don't know which LSD it is but the difference in cost between that and the open diff is £540. Seems a lot to me especially as most of my driving is road! In fact it's nearly half the cost again of the whole transmission instalation which includes prop, diff and driveshafts?

[aeropilot]

ham said:

Hi, I don't know which LSD it is but the difference in cost between that and the open diff is £540. Seems a lot to me especially as most of my driving is road!

It's not a lot for a LSD (depending on which type) and is worth every penny

[toys]

aeropilot said:

ham said:

Hi, I don't know which LSD it is but the difference in cost between that and the open diff is £540. Seems a lot to me especially as most of my driving is road!

It's not a lot for a LSD (depending on which type) and is worth every penny

Gotta be the Quaife ATB diff (that Birds fit to various BMW models). It does sound good value though! I had the Quaife in my old 7 Superlight and it was fab. Seriously considering having one fitted to my 130i now.

[aeropilot]

toys said:

aeropilot said:

ham said:

Hi, I don't know which LSD it is but the difference in cost between that and the open diff is £540. Seems a lot to me especially as most of my driving is road!

It's not a lot for a LSD (depending on which type) and is worth every penny

Gotta be the Quaife ATB diff (that Birds fit to various BMW models).

That was my thought, but don't Birds have an 'exclusive' on the Quaife unit for those diffs.....???

[ham]

You'll need to excuse my total ignorance but what are birds?

Edited by ham on Tuesday 18th January 19:25

[aeropilot]

ham said:

You'll need to excuse my total ignorance but what are birds?

http://www.birdsauto.com/

HTH

[ham]

Thanks for that

[edition]

I'm also thinking of fitting a LSD to my 130....


Just the price putting me off atm!

[ham]

Now that you've got me thinking about LSD what are the different types and which one is better. Also what would be the advantage if I use the car mainly for road use and would you expect there to be more or less noise ie, backlash, whine etc from LSD?
Thanks for any help and advice.

[aeropilot]

ham said:

Now that you've got me thinking about LSD what are the different types and which one is better. Also what would be the advantage if I use the car mainly for road use and would you expect there to be more or less noise ie, backlash, whine etc from LSD?
Thanks for any help and advice.

For predominately road use the Quiafe unit is definately best
Maintainance free, and zero noise or backlash with it. In normal mundane driving you won't even notice it.