[TT-Tom]

I know a lot of people have been looking for, candid, feedback on these differentials, so here you go.
I have a 2008 135i with a bolted diff for reference.
The install was actually EXTREMELY easy, backlash on the new diff vs old was actually almost exactly the same. No trimming of the housing was required and the bearing races came right off the old and onto the new with ease.
The pumpkin came without completely pulling the driveshaft, just dropped the axels and loosened the drive-shaft nut, out it came no problem. I also installed the purple powerflex bushings at the same time, this took longer than the entire diff install as my oem ones were pretty stuck in there and you can't use heat on the thin parts of the subframe. After awhile they came out with a small press setup.
With the car back together I took it around the block a few times and can happily report no clunking going from reverse to drive, no whine, and a lot less drivetrain slop with the bushings. Traction wise in a straight line is hard to tell because i need some new rubber soon but the burnout test says that both wheels are turning Cornering now feels like I can use the skinny pedal to turn the car instead of it pushing the front until massive oversteer happens. I only have a few miles on it but I wanted to sing praise for a great, perfectly priced, high quality product. If anyone is going to put something through its paces it will be me I will be going to the track soon and will report back with long term results.

[Icewall]

What did you use to install it? A lift, jack and jack stands?

Is it just 3 bolts, the driveshaft nut, and the axel bolts that need to be touched?

Going to install mine next weekend so im curious. Btw i ordered a full pumpkin.

[JStang]

Nice man. I've been waiting to install mine. It's been sitting in my house for a couple of months now. Just need to get around to it.

[TT-Tom]

Originally Posted by Icewall

What did you use to install it? A lift, jack and jack stands?

Is it just 3 bolts, the driveshaft nut, and the axel bolts that need to be touched?

Going to install mine next weekend so im curious. Btw i ordered a full pumpkin.

I used a lift, a must in my opinion, if you have access or can rent one your life will be easier. To support i strapped it to a transmission jack. To drop the pumpkin just support it, drop the axles, loosen driveshaft nut, then remove three diff to subframe bolts. Then lower out and back.

Originally Posted by JStang

Nice man. I've been waiting to install mine. It's been sitting in my house for a couple of months now. Just need to get around to it.

Worth the work for sure, I kept putting it off too, I'm upset it did!

Have fun guys!

[EJ_3]

Nice, time to update your signature block Tom. Looking to grab one with a pair of turbos in a few months. I'll definitely will be looking out for your track review.

[techwhiz]

Mine still sitting in the box.
I haven't has time to have mine installed.
Lazy I guess......

[Chefcg1]

Good to hear the install was easy. I tried for months to find a shop to install mine for under 1k and couldn't. I was going to do it myself as it didn't look like to much work than doing the rear bushing which I did with ease. But all the shops I talked to made it sound like it was an impossible task and without much info on the forums on the install I gave up on the project for now. It would be great if you can go into a little more detail with the actual swap inside the pumpkin. Curious that you used to slip off bearings, measured lash, any tips for someone taking this on?

[TT-Tom]

Originally Posted by Chefcg1

Good to hear the install was easy. I tried for months to find a shop to install mine for under 1k and couldn't. I was going to do it myself as it didn't look like to much work than doing the rear bushing which I did with ease. But all the shops I talked to made it sound like it was an impossible task and without much info on the forums on the install I gave up on the project for now. It would be great if you can go into a little more detail with the actual swap inside the pumpkin. Curious that you used to slip off bearings, measured lash, any tips for someone taking this on?

I measured lash with a magnetic dial indicator, you can use the paint method but this is easy and fast lash was minimal (.004 before and .003 after IIRC). I used a small slide hammer to pull the bearing races off, it was easy on mine so easy that I could have tapped on them with a small chisel or screwdriver without damaging them. Honestly I was pretty daunted by everyone making it seem like a bigger deal than it is. Once you have it off and open its extremely easy, just keep track of which clip came from which side and you're golden. Have fun!

[Chefcg1]

Originally Posted by TT-Tom

I measured lash with a magnetic dial indicator, you can use the paint method but this is easy and fast lash was minimal (.004 before and .003 after IIRC). I used a small slide hammer to pull the bearing races off, it was easy on mine so easy that I could have tapped on them with a small chisel or screwdriver without damaging them. Honestly I was pretty daunted by everyone making it seem like a bigger deal than it is. Once you have it off and open its extremely easy, just keep track of which clip came from which side and you're golden. Have fun!

Great info, thanks!