WTB: 1996 318ti Differential (Open or LSD)

[95M3r]

found!

[abq]

i have one from a 328ic.. still needs to be pulled off though.

[95M3r]

i have one from a 328ic.. still needs to be pulled off though.

Is that going to be a direct bolt-on to the 318ti? Pretty sure that differential isn't the same size as the ones from the 318ti's...right? I'm not looking change covers or anything like that so I would prefer a 318ti diff.

[abq]

im not sure man your gonna have to search around and find out.

[95M3r]

Pretty sure I've done that and found out that they are in fact different. Which is why I'm looking for a 318ti diff specifically.

Thanks for the offer tho...much appreciated!!

[Asmod3us]

Will anything fit besides a diff from a "318ti" specifically?

[95M3r]

Will anything fit besides a diff from a "318ti" specifically?

Pretty sure most E36 related diffs will work, you just have to swap covers and the hubs I think. Haven't done a whole lot of research about it. Just trying to help a friend out....and not we're really not looking to do anything "extensive" to make it work. Just looking for one that will bolt right up without hassles.

[HunkaTunka]

other e36 differentials will NOT fit because the mounting arms are different.

OP: I have an e36 differential. PM me and I'll get it sent to you

[jsbbmw21]

i have one from a 318i idk if it is what your looking for or not but it it is lmk and ill get it out to you

[95M3r]

Pending Purchase!

Thanks guys!!

[PhotoMotion]

FWIW, E36 (non ti/non Z3) will NOT work in your ti. It's a completely different differential. The only E36 diffs that will go in your car are from a ti or a Z3.

E30 diffs can be put in with E30 half shafts (mind ABS sensor clearance). And E28 diffs can go in with a E30 diff cover.

[HunkaTunka]

it's NOT completely different. The only thing that's different is the cover. normal e36 covers have two bushing arms, ti's & z3s have the large bushing on the cover.

and they're all typ 168 case differentials. found on z3s, e30 316/318/m3, e36s

[95M3r]

Thanks for the info guys!!

Still looking!

[HunkaTunka]

pm'd

[Bluebimma]

The cases and mounting points are completely different, no matter what you try to swap out. The only differentials that will work are from e30s, tis, z3s, e24s, and e28s. You will need a small case differential to be bolt right it, meaning, 318ti, z3/1.9, and e30 318. I have a 4.44 non-limited slip 318ti from my 1996 318ti auto. It will work, but the revs will be much higher than that of the 3.45 that the manuals have.

[HunkaTunka]

you're late to the party, I already mentioned that. BTW, ANY bmw with the small case typ 164 will fit the 318ti. The only difference is the easily swappable differential front cover. It will bolt right up.

e28 and z3 differentials are medium case typ 188.
e21 & e30 318/16 & m3s & e36's use typ 164 small case differentials.


BMW Differential Codes
Typ 164 (small)<---what you're looking for
Typ 188 (medium)
Typ 210 (large)

[Bluebimma]

I may be late to the thread, but im no noob to these cars nor what fits and their sizes. From your list of cars, id assume that youd already know that the Tis differential has 5 mounting points, four of which are on the case itself and bolt to the differential carrier. The final mounting point is on the differential cover itself, which is single eared and attaches to the mount on the floor of the hatch.

If you take a look at the pics below, you will see how rediculous this argument is. They are NOT interchangeable.

E36 Subframe


E30/ti/z3 Subframe


E36 Small case 3.45LSD


E30/ti/z3 case






OP, the pictures speak for themselves, the differentials are not interchangle but the pumpkins are, of the same size of course, but casing and differential covers are completely different. You cant even bolt one location of the e36 differential casing to the e30/ti/z3 carrier.

[HunkaTunka]

I took a 444 open out of a 1995 318i NOT ti and I put an e30 318 differential cover on it and my friend is running it in his m42 e30 318.
I currently have an e36 318i NOT ti 444 limited slip sitting in my basement that I ALSO put an e30 318 differential cover on that my friend is putting into his s14 e30 m3


Look up the cars with typ 164
Look up the cars with typ 188
Look up the cars with typ 210

for instance, a lot of e30 325 guys use the e28 differential (typ 188)...you only change the covers and bam you have a 3.25 ratio or whatever you're looking for that comes on the e28

[Bluebimma]

other e36 differentials will NOT fit because the mounting arms are different.

OP: I have an e36 differential. PM me and I'll get it sent to you

Post pictures of how it can actually be installed on a ti style carrier. Until then, it doesnt fit, been there tried that. Bolting on a cover doesnt constitute it working.

Ive used:
E28 3.25LSD
E36ti 3.45 small case open
E36ti 3.45 Limited slip small case
E30 3.73 Limited slip medium case
E30 4.10 Limited slip medium case
E36ti 4.44 small case open
E36/4dr 3.45 small case open (DID NOT FIT whatsoever)
E36/2dr medium case (Didnt attempt as its larger than the small case nor bolts to our rear ends)

I can provide pics from my own photo galleries, can you?

Also, whats the point of posting about using a differential from an e28 in an e30? Its the same style differential but the cover for the e28 and e24 dont have ear mounts, theyre simply an "L" bracket.

[HunkaTunka]

the e30 and ti subframe is the same...I have a ti subframe in my car

pm me and i'll provide you with the email addresses of the gentlemen that I installed the said differentials for

[Bluebimma]

The z3, 318ti, and e30 subframes are all interchangable, ive tried the e30 subframe on my Hellrot 318ti clubsport, after its accident, it fit just fine. This has NOTHING to do with an E36 diff fitting it.

Im not going out of my way to contact a bunch of other guys through countless, possibly unanswered, emails. You can see from the pics, pics from the E30 forum, E36 forum, and 318ti.org, it is NOT interchangable.

OP, the decision is up to you, but im pretty sure the pics above prove enough that just mounting the cover of a ti differential on a regular e36 differential, wont make it fit into your ti. Im done here.

[HunkaTunka]

eh to each their own, OP can contact me for more information. Happy new year to all!

[Compactive]

Sedan or coupe E36 differentials WILL NOT FIT THE TI what so ever! They are COMPLETELY different! I'm not here to take a shot at anyone's opinion, just here to state facts.

The Ti will accept small or medium case diffs from E28 to E30 with the appropriate diff plate (single ear found on E30 or mcoupe).

OP go with a Ti diff to keep the errors minimal to none, anything else is just bananas. Go with what works. I have a E28 3.25 LSD with my swapped Ti, and trust me, the E36 coupe or sedan diffs will not work.

If you feel adventurous, get an E30 325i LSD and get some E30 halfshafts while you're at it. A simple improvement would be the 3.45 LSD from the clubsport, should cost as much as the rest and bolts right in your Ti.

Not to discredit any work anyone else has done, but Blubimma knows what he is talking about here, he has a reputation of trying everything out that people say won't work, and even he said regular E36 diffs won't work. Knowing how many time he's ripped his Ti's open and put them back together (note he's had 3 or more), I wouldn't doubt anything he says about the car.

[95M3r]

Wow....never thought this thread would end up getting so much attention!! A bunch of good info in here though...and I appreciate that!!

But I found a 318ti diff that is exactly what I'm looking for.

Thanks!!