4.10 gears

[Obioban]

I exchanged 4.10 for 3.91 because 1st gear was virtually unusable on the race car. On longer straights, Roads America & Atlanta, I'd run out of 5th gear with 4.10.

Feff

Back when i had a dedicated track car, it came with 4.10s. It was non stop shifting all the time... I swapped it back to stock and had no regrets.

I also really dislike them on the highway.

... and they make low speed (first gear) accretion kind of a PITA.

All told, you could say I'm not a fan.

[bjz!]

for real, you guys know how to use a car with stick?

1st only to start and then 1st... never until you get and stop to run again.

[old///MFanatic]

I have the 4.10 motorsport gears in my car and love it. I heard some whining (pun intended) about the 4.10 from a few but it fits my driving style fine. I have always had short geared cars so it didn't seem unreasonable in the least. Never could understand how anyone would list first gear use as a reason to replace it all over the gains of all the other five gears. If someone has an issue with 6th I could see that for their wants/desires. It's not best for everyone.

[bigseatchris]

Here are some notes I assembled when I was looking for shorter gearing. I currently run 4.10.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-cheap-er-e46-m3-final-drive-upgrade-1503641554

Below list needs to be double checked for accuracy, pulled from various threads/sources.
3.91 from e32/e34 m5
e28 535, m5 has 210mm
e31 850csi has 210mm
E32/E34/E31/E28M5/E24M6/M635CSI(3.73LSD)210mm
e24 m6 has 3.9
e34 535 3.64
525i A 92-95 M50 4.1
Type 210 cars:
E46 M3 and E36 4door M3
E34 M5 and 540i
E32 740i and 750i
All E38 models
E39 V8 models, could be all models but not sure

And the 4.10 is also out of a X5 correct?

[Sharocks]

Lots of random info here.

3.91, 4.10 and 4.44's are BMW Motorsport parts ONLY.

Anything that came out of other cars won't fit because they are either too small or just don't work.

[old///MFanatic]

Probably a stupid question but are the 4.10 gears strictly aftermarket or do they come out of another Bmw.

For the E46 M3 fitment they are from BMW Motorsport or “aftermarket”.
So to answer your question, no you can’t pirate out of another car.

Be happy you don’t have to special order and sign a release from BMWNA like the early days.

[akshon]

I currently have 4.10 on my SMG. It is very noticeable and probably the most noticeable mod on these cars. Your car will feel faster than with full exhaust. I can see how for a manual 4.10 may be too much but especially on the SMG it is perfect. Steering rack and gears were my favorite mods.

[01M3Fan]

I've got 4.10 and like it as well - really have to be careful in 1st on when oil is cold because you rev up so quickly, but I don't have any regrets.

So Akshon - what steering rack mod did you do?

[Johnvu]

I currently have 4.10 on my SMG. It is very noticeable and probably the most noticeable mod on these cars. Your car will feel faster than with full exhaust. I can see how for a manual 4.10 may be too much but especially on the SMG it is perfect. Steering rack and gears were my favorite mods.

I have an SMG and was planning to do 3.91 gears. If you were to do it again, would you go 3.91 or stay 4.1?

[akshon]

I would do 4.10 again. Some say its too much but too much is just right.

[M3mike]

Akshon What steering rack did you swap to?

[akshon]

I did the rack off of the z3 1.9l which is supposed to be the most aggressive, cheapest, and easiest to source. It fits perfectly as well. I had a competition rack in my old m3 and did not think it was a significant enough change. Some say this rack is too much but i disagree. You do have to pay attention with steering when driving fast but nothing significant. Car turns in like crazy and rotates almost too easily but once you know how it feels you can easily adjust your driving to match. The rack feels almost stock driving under 15 mph but anything after that it is significant. The rack feels close to my e90 m3 steering but a bit faster. Feels closer to my 458 italia actually. If you like heavy steering feel you might not like it but for someone that hated the heavy stock steering its been perfect.

[zaharias]

The question is.. Is the 3.91 or the 4.10 faster on a straight line or it just feels faster?
Probably on a stock car the 3.62 will be better.
I think the 3.91/4.10 needs a tune and rev limiter increase for best results but is it faster than an M3 with a tune and 3.62?
6MT road use only.

[heinzboehmer]

The question is.. Is the 3.91 or the 4.10 faster on a straight line or it just feels faster?
Probably on a stock car the 3.62 will be better.
I think the 3.91/4.10 needs a tune and rev limiter increase for best results but is it faster than an M3 with a tune and 3.62?
6MT road use only.

Fast how? If you're trying to minimize 0-60 times then left shifts will be better. Also a higher ratio will probably lead to more wheel spin.

[eacmen]

The question is.. Is the 3.91 or the 4.10 faster on a straight line or it just feels faster?
Probably on a stock car the 3.62 will be better.
I think the 3.91/4.10 needs a tune and rev limiter increase for best results but is it faster than an M3 with a tune and 3.62?
6MT road use only.

This isnt really the question you should be asking. Gearing is more about power delivery. More power delivery *can* yield more acceleration, thus making the car "faster". With the higher gearing you will get more power to the driven (rear) wheels.

Whether the car ends up being faster in a straight line, thats more up to the tire compound in use and driver skill. However, I would think even a novice driver should be able to yield faster straight line speed with 4.10s even you "granny shift and not double clutch like you should" 🤣

REF: https://x-engineer.org/automotive-en...torque-engine/