B3 3,3 differential options?

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lanab
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B3 3,3 differential options?

Post by lanab » Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:02 pm

What alternatives are there to change the differential on the B3 3.3?

The gear ratio is 3,64 and Type 188 according to the Alpina parts manual, but i can't find any differentials available to buy used or refurbished? any recommendations? only option buying a new one or refurbish the one i have?
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Ferrari F355 GTS -95

ali
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Post by ali » Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:52 pm

The diff should just be a standard 330i item.
It isn't Alpina specific so should be able to get hold of one from a decent breakers yard like Quarry motors or Fab Direct
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
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lanab
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Post by lanab » Mon Oct 15, 2018 11:15 pm

Problem is that the standard diff on the 328/330 have a ratio of 3,46 and i need 3,64
BMW Alpina B3 3.3 -00
Ferrari F355 GTS -95

ali
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Post by ali » Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:42 am

330i Auto that the B3 3.3 is based on is 3.64
E85 X3 3.0i manual also used same diff
See here

Image
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lanab
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Post by lanab » Tue Oct 16, 2018 12:50 pm

Thanks :D
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lanab
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Post by lanab » Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:35 pm

This is a problem now after trying to source a used one, the diff used by the B3 got a final ratio of 3,64 for the Swítchtronic model.

BMW never used any E46s in Europe with that final ratio, only in the U.S for both 328 and 330i used that diff.

I could change it to another ratio, but i don't know if that would be bad for driving and how much it will impact, would a final ratio of 3.07 be bad?

I tried with different gear ratio calculators to get an idea of it...... :cry:
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Ikule
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Post by Ikule » Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:31 pm

If your standard ratio is 3.64 then going to a 3.07 will harm the acceleration, as you are effectively raising the gearing,
it would cruise quietly on the motorway and the fuel economy would improve as the engine will be turning a lot slower at say 70 mph than it would with your current diff,
but when you try and accelerate it would feel quite a bit slower, even going to the nearest size of 3.46 would be a retrograde step in my opinion and would not give you the performance a B3 should have.

I've gone from the standard 2.93 in my B10 3.2 to a much friskier 3.15 ratio, it revs a few hundred rpm's higher at 70 on the motorway but the acceleration has improved quite nicely and I definitely wouldn't go back to the 2.93 diff.

You don't say whats wrong with your diff, I assume it's starting to whine in which case, due to a lack of used one's available (I just had a look on e-bay) I reckon a rebuild would be the best option,
maybe consider an upgrade at the same time and get Birds to fit a Quaife LSD, although the current price for the B3 3.3 at £1,670 inc vat (fitted) may count against this option.

http://www.birdsauto.com/quaife/search? ... ina+B3+3.3

Hope that helps (a bit!).
Steve C



'98 B10 3.2 #88 (for summer cruising)
'04 Mini Cooper S (commuting/sacrificial shopping trolley target....)
'94 325i Coupe SOLD
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Xphectro
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Re: B3 3,3 differential options?

Post by Xphectro » Mon Mar 21, 2022 4:40 pm

Just for information, i have an Alpina B3 3.3 diff 3.64 for sale and it is 210, not 188. Diff case is big as E46 330D diff wich is 210.

Henry
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Re: B3 3,3 differential options?

Post by Henry » Fri Mar 25, 2022 11:10 pm

Just out of curiosity would an e46 m3 diff fit. One on eBay 3.62
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194932219100 ... SwQapiOgmC
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
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AG
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Re: B3 3,3 differential options?

Post by AG » Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:28 pm

no the M3 item requires a different subframe to fit by all accounts
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