LSD... how do I know if a car is equipped with one?

[radkins]

Is there an easy way to tell if my 'potential' 318ti Sport has standard LSD?

Thanks,
-Rob

[ClubSport]

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]

It is an automatic. Were any of the auto's equipped with LSD?

[1996 328ti]

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]

Originally Posted by ClubSport

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]

correct

[97Hellrot318ti]

ok, so a 1997 active (what I think mine is... definitely not base) would have what kind of Diff?

[GDB]

Originally Posted by 97Hellrot318ti

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]

Originally Posted by GDB

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]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

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]

Originally Posted by John Firestone

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.