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View Full Version : LSD... how do I know if a car is equipped with one?

radkins
10-22-2004, 02:40 AM
Is there an easy way to tell if my 'potential' 318ti Sport has standard LSD?

Thanks,
-Rob
ClubSport
10-22-2004, 10:52 AM
Is it a manual transmission? There should be a metal tag on the diff that says S3,45 if it is limited slip. Another way to tell is to get both rear wheels off the ground and spin one, with the tranny in neutral. With BMW's clutch type LSD, the wheels will spin in the same direction.
radkins
10-22-2004, 11:21 AM
It is an automatic. Were any of the auto's equipped with LSD?
1996 328ti
10-22-2004, 01:08 PM
LSD was an option before traction control was available sometime in 96.
I kinda doubt that their was an LSD for automatics because I think the gear ratio was different. As ClubSport said, the diff ratio for the manual was 3.45.
Silver00spike
12-13-2004, 02:00 AM
Is it a manual transmission? There should be a metal tag on the diff that says S3,45 if it is limited slip. Another way to tell is to get both rear wheels off the ground and spin one, with the tranny in neutral. With BMW's clutch type LSD, the wheels will spin in the same direction.

so if they spin in different directions, then its an open diff right?
motorsport
12-16-2004, 12:51 AM
correct
97Hellrot318ti
03-24-2005, 08:19 AM
ok, so a 1997 active (what I think mine is... definitely not base) would have what kind of Diff?
GDB
03-24-2005, 02:13 PM
ok, so a 1997 active (what I think mine is... definitely not base) would have what kind of Diff?

probably open, although you could get the LSD as an option.
1996 328ti
03-24-2005, 02:21 PM
probably open, although you could get the LSD as an option.Don't think it was an option in 97. You can also look for a small tab attached to the diff. If it says S345 it is a 3.45 LSD.
John Firestone
03-24-2005, 11:36 PM
LSD was an option before traction control was available sometime in 96.
I kinda doubt that their was an LSD for automatics because I think the gear ratio was different....I don't recall the combination ever being prohibited on the German price lists. If it were, I would have remembered that when I ordered my car. The only thing you could not combine LSD with was ASC (except possibly(?) on the M3 which had LSD standard).
97Hellrot318ti
03-25-2005, 12:01 AM
I don't recall the combination ever being prohibited on the German price lists. If it were, I would have remembered that when I ordered my car. The only thing you could not combine LSD with was ASC (except possibly(?) on the M3 which had LSD standard).

Ah ok... well I have ASC so I guess that means I probably don't have an LSD.