[Root2k4]

I've looked around for some detailed specs on my 2011 E90 M-sport to find out answers to such questions. I can only assume it does have a limited slip since I WOTed 1st in the rain today with DTC off and she still hooked up great. But I wish I could turn back time and download all the detailed specs from BMW website back in 2011. Any good repositories out there for such information? Thanks!

[PINeely]

Nope, the M3 is the only 3-series to come with an LSD.

When in doubt, look for cooling vanes on the differential.

[paddy335]

Unles you do what every respectable 335i owner should do and get one installed aftermarket, then no you don't

[Root2k4]

Wow, surprising. Thanks for the info.

[John 070]

Ever see snowblowers where you remove a cotter pin to let one wheel spin freely? That's what you have.

[Root2k4]

Originally Posted by John 070

Ever see snowblowers where you remove a cotter pin to let one wheel spin freely? That's what you have.

Can't say I have, but still equally disappointed. My Tacoma has a LSD and my M-Sport does not. Weak.

[floydarogers]

The so-called "electronic diff" also known as Automatic Differential Braking - brakes the spinning wheel to keep things going - does a pretty good job. It's one of the reasons (anti-dive logic) that wears out your rear brakes faster than the fronts.

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by John 070

Ever see snowblowers where you remove a cotter pin to let one wheel spin freely? That's what you have.

Haha, great analogy!

[napeHbNYC]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

The so-called "electronic diff" also known as Automatic Differential Braking - brakes the spinning wheel to keep things going - does a pretty good job. It's one of the reasons (anti-dive logic) that wears out your rear brakes faster than the fronts.

Can you elaborate more on this please

[Taskmaster]

Do all 3 series have e diff?

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

Can you elaborate more on this please

ADB (didn't realise it was called that) brakes the spinning wheel so you can get traction back quicker. Unfortunately the traction control will be busily cutting power to you at the same time.

A proper LSD will change all that. Transforms the car like you can't believe until you drive one.

[MyF15+F85]

Originally Posted by Root2k4

I've looked around for some detailed specs on my 2011 E90 M-sport to find out answers to such questions. I can only assume it does have a limited slip since I WOTed 1st in the rain today with DTC off and she still hooked up great. But I wish I could turn back time and download all the detailed specs from BMW website back in 2011. Any good repositories out there for such information? Thanks!

OK and if you still have doubts about if you do or not after all these write ups.
The best way to check for limited slip is to lift up your both rear wheels, and spin one of the wheels either backwards of forwards. If for any magical reason your opposite wheel will spin in the same direction ( as your is ) well you got a limited slip, but most likely the wheel on the other side will spin in the opposite direction which will make it an open diff.

[Blackhawk36]

Originally Posted by Root2k4

Can't say I have, but still equally disappointed. My Tacoma has a LSD and my M-Sport does not. Weak.

If it "hooked up great" and you were happy with it, whay would you be disappointed?

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

If it "hooked up great" and you were happy with it, whay would you be disappointed?

Personally I would never want to have electronic LSD....and where the lack of would be noticeable is on a track. But if you don't track the vehicle, imho it really doesn't matter.....

(I hate how rear brakes wear faster than fronts today)

[walmark]

Originally Posted by paddy335

ADB (didn't realise it was called that) brakes the spinning wheel so you can get traction back quicker. Unfortunately the traction control will be busily cutting power to you at the same time.

A proper LSD will change all that. Transforms the car like you can't believe until you drive one.

Am I right in thinking that with DTC mode on the e-diff still works but without cutting the power?

[AzureHaze]

So am I to believe that an LSD is only useful for the track and not in day-to-day driving? I've always been hesitate in pulling the trigger since I don't track at all and probably never plan to because I'm a big chicken (driving school might fix that though).

[shadow191]

How would it do that? The e-diff works by applying brakes. So if it's on at all, it will cut power to the spinning wheel.

Originally Posted by walmark

Am I right in thinking that with DTC mode on the e-diff still works but without cutting the power?

[PINeely]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

So am I to believe that an LSD is only useful for the track and not in day-to-day driving? I've always been hesitate in pulling the trigger since I don't track at all and probably never plan to because I'm a big chicken (driving school might fix that though).

An LSD will make the most noticeable difference on a track, however you will definitely notice the improvement in day-to-day driving as well. I think that what others are saying is that if you do plan on tracking these cars it's pretty much a mandatory upgrade.

[Viktimize]

Originally Posted by Root2k4

Can't say I have, but still equally disappointed. My Tacoma has a LSD and my M-Sport does not. Weak.

You sure about that? The Tundra does not come with an LSD in any trim level, so I would've thought the Taco would be same deal.

Originally Posted by napeHbNYC

Can you elaborate more on this please

Open diff takes the path of least resistance. So if a wheel gets spinning, it keeps spinning. Applying brake pressure to the spinning wheel essentially adds some resistance and starts shifting power to the other wheel.

Originally Posted by myE70

OK and if you still have doubts about if you do or not after all these write ups.
The best way to check for limited slip is to lift up your both rear wheels, and spin one of the wheels either backwards of forwards. If for any magical reason your opposite wheel will spin in the same direction ( as your is ) well you got a limited slip, but most likely the wheel on the other side will spin in the opposite direction which will make it an open diff.

A locked diff would do this. But a LSD should essentially be open until it slips, most LSD's would not have enough power through them to lock up when just spinning by hand.

Originally Posted by John 070

Personally I would never want to have electronic LSD....and where the lack of would be noticeable is on a track. But if you don't track the vehicle, imho it really doesn't matter.....

(I hate how rear brakes wear faster than fronts today)

HUGE misconception that I see a lot of. I am assuming that the guys saying this are from farther south where they don't expereince slippery conditions very often if ever at all. When you compare what is happening on a track to what happens in bad weather you can see they are the same thing. When you corner hard and have one wheel lift and create a low traction situation that causes wheel spin, it is directly comparable to driving the car with one rear wheel on ice and one on pavement. One wheel starts spinning and the other goes nowhere. LSD transfers that power to the wheel with traction and keeps/gets you moving.

Anyone who drives in slippery conditions like winter driving, will benefit greatly from LSD. You'll be able to get traction and start moving without traction control killing your power. You won't have your rear brakes wearing out excessively. It's an all around good thing for winter driving.

[walmark]

Originally Posted by shadow191

How would it do that? The e-diff works by applying brakes. So if it's on at all, it will cut power to the spinning wheel.

i know, but normally the brakes are applied AND engine cuts the power. I believe that with DTC on the brakes are still applied but the engine does not cut out, providing max torque to the wheel with traction at the cost of rear brake heat and wear. right?

[John 070]

People are too concerned about a 1WD 335i.

Didn't you see Tom Green have one of his things removed, leaving only one out of two left? That was back in 2000, and he's fine 13 yrs. later...

[paddy335]

Originally Posted by AzureHaze

So am I to believe that an LSD is only useful for the track and not in day-to-day driving? I've always been hesitate in pulling the trigger since I don't track at all and probably never plan to because I'm a big chicken (driving school might fix that though).

Not at all, in fact the most benefit of a good mechanical LSD is in all traction-compromised conditions: tight corners, damp roads, etc. Especially if you have more than stock hp. And it makes sport/spirited driving so much more fun (because the DTC isn't cutting power all the time).

I would get it even if my car was completely stock.