Csl diff

[Chad]

if anybody's interested just thought I'd post some images of my csl diff , apparently they are different to std m3 diff, apology if it's to shiny, haha .. been doing a bit of maintenance as per usual , checkin things out for fun. Any way may help someone if they do there own maintenance. A Bit of carrier shimming just to take up a bit of slack. And before I get the usual you need to do the pinion shims I know��

[select]

Interesting thanks.

What do you reckon is different from standard m3? Because I am fairly certain that they are the same for both m3 and csl.

[Chad]

Interesting thanks.

What do you reckon is different from standard m3? Because I am fairly certain that they are the same for both m3 and csl.

Hi select. If you google up e46 m3 lsd , the hole where you see the plates is round on the m3. . Where as on csl it's more of a u shape hole . I always thought they were the same as no info on this on differences spec csl to m3. I could be wrong of course but don't think so , z4 looks the same ,but number on lsd is different, if you can see it on pictures,

[alexk]

Very interesting.

Found this post -> http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393888

[select]

Very Interesting indeed.

I had a quick look at the ETK and sure enough there have been various part numbers for the differential. However according to ETK the actual diff has been always the same for CSL and M3 and has not ever been shared with the Z4M.

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/33102282480

Hi select. If you google up e46 m3 lsd , the hole where you see the plates is round on the m3. . Where as on csl it's more of a u shape hole . I always thought they were the same as no info on this on differences spec csl to m3. I could be wrong of course but don't think so , z4 looks the same ,but number on lsd is different, if you can see it on pictures,

I think thats because - as i have stated above - there have been quite a few revisions of the differential in the past. So its production year related not an actual difference between M3 and CSL.
In short, im sure if you were to take a differential from a 2003 M3 and compare with a CSL it would turn out to be the same.

[NZ_M3]

In contrast to the other E46 M3 differential pictured below

Which carried the GKN part number GKN-V-405251 as opposed to the CSL/Z4M one which is GKN-V-406953.

My understanding however is the differential was updated in and around 2002 till 2015 with this new variant, but with the older one still in productiontill 2005 so it was a mixed bag of which one you got.

I believe but I can't confirm if you bought the new 481 part number differential now it'll be the CSL/Z4 one with GKN-V-406952 LSD

I also believe that if you cut one open the internal clutch are the same between both, it was just a casing change to manage lubrication issues with early diff groans and complaints.

[shimmy]

I think I've had a diff from every year of production Curtesy of BmW warranty

[select]

Yes Tom, you are right. You can check the mess with ETK.

33102282080
Sep '00 - Nov '05
Delivery discontinued by the factory


33102282481
Feb '02 - Feb '15
Delivery discontinued by the factory


33102282480
Feb '02 -
Currently in use i think?

//Edit: Shimmy.. :hahaha:

[Chad]

Hi guys from memory this diff was a new one fitted on the car in late 2005, they just told me by the way we have fitted you a new diff. No reason or paperwork given. must have been on some kind of recall :thumbs:

[AndyMac]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I come from the pleb side of the garage, just a stock E46 M3.

I've recently got a replacement diff for my car, the replacement looks identical the one in the OP's first post.

Part No. is slight different : GKN-V 406953 & 33.14-2282900E

Replaced the stock diff, which had the round holes.

Can anyone tell me which is supposed to be better? Or the more current diff.

Thanks

[NZ_M3]

Hi Guys,

Sorry I come from the pleb side of the garage, just a stock E46 M3.

I've recently got a replacement diff for my car, the replacement looks identical the one in the OP's first post.

Part No. is slight different : GKN-V 406953 & 33.14-2282900E

Replaced the stock diff, which had the round holes.

Can anyone tell me which is supposed to be better? Or the more current diff.

Thanks

They are both the same (crap) according to a well known guy here in New Zealand that can rebuild these correctly and have taken a fair share of them apart, able to reconfigured and modified them. I have spoken to him directly about this and he says they both measure similarly and operate the same way.

Basically one is not better than the other but the earlier one with the round hole is easier to take apart, modify and rebuild according to him due to the way they are assembled.

[Chad]

They are both the same (crap) according to a well known guy here in New Zealand that can rebuild these correctly and have taken a fair share of them apart, able to reconfigured and modified them. I have spoken to him directly about this and he says they both measure similarly and operate the same way.

Basically one is not better than the other but the earlier one with the round hole is easier to take apart, modify and rebuild according to him due to the way they are assembled.

hi,it would be good to know if there are any individual parts available for the diff itself, carrier and pinion bearings available I’ve also got shim pack crush washer etc but that’s it, would be good for future reference :smokin: