Experimenting with LSD
Experimenting with LSD
Okay, I admit it, it’s a click bait title but I genuinely wanted to share my thoughts on a recent modification to my 2015 F30 D3.
After a couple weeks of deliberation I decided I’d take the plunge and treat my car to a limited slip differential from trusted BMW tuners Birds in Iver.
For those that don’t know the LSD was an option on the last generation of RHD D3’s (the LHD had the option of AWD) but, at around £1800, it was one that was seldom selected. Whereas the petrol powered B3 came with it as standard I can only imagine that, for the sake of costs, it was left off its diesel brother despite pushing out over 500ftlbs of torque.
Birds will happily retrofit the part for a reasonable sum of £2000 (inc VAT) working on an exchange basis and takes around three hours to complete. Slough is literally ten mins away from the garage so plan ahead for a short shopping expedition and you’ll be fine.
Now the 3.0l biturbo D3 was hardly a slouch to begin with but after living with the conversion for almost a week I’m really surprised that it wasn’t fitted as standard because the difference is instantly noticeable.
Because the power is constantly being distributed ‘organically’ between the driven wheels the rear feels more alert and on its toes to the point where is now accelerates with a LOT more authority especially in less than ideal road conditions which’d normally trigger the dreaded traction control light.
I wouldn’t suggest the outlay if you only ever drive along motorways as that’d just be overkill but if, like me, your daily commute includes five or six miles of sweeping country lanes then I couldn’t recommend it enough as it’s given my car a whole new lease of life!!!
After a couple weeks of deliberation I decided I’d take the plunge and treat my car to a limited slip differential from trusted BMW tuners Birds in Iver.
For those that don’t know the LSD was an option on the last generation of RHD D3’s (the LHD had the option of AWD) but, at around £1800, it was one that was seldom selected. Whereas the petrol powered B3 came with it as standard I can only imagine that, for the sake of costs, it was left off its diesel brother despite pushing out over 500ftlbs of torque.
Birds will happily retrofit the part for a reasonable sum of £2000 (inc VAT) working on an exchange basis and takes around three hours to complete. Slough is literally ten mins away from the garage so plan ahead for a short shopping expedition and you’ll be fine.
Now the 3.0l biturbo D3 was hardly a slouch to begin with but after living with the conversion for almost a week I’m really surprised that it wasn’t fitted as standard because the difference is instantly noticeable.
Because the power is constantly being distributed ‘organically’ between the driven wheels the rear feels more alert and on its toes to the point where is now accelerates with a LOT more authority especially in less than ideal road conditions which’d normally trigger the dreaded traction control light.
I wouldn’t suggest the outlay if you only ever drive along motorways as that’d just be overkill but if, like me, your daily commute includes five or six miles of sweeping country lanes then I couldn’t recommend it enough as it’s given my car a whole new lease of life!!!
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- ALPINA
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- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:33 pm
- Location: Pembrokeshire
Another thumbs up here for the Birds Quaife diff. Ridiculous it wasn't standard on a 400hp, 550Nm rwd car. Transformational.
Shopping, though ?
Shopping, though ?
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
Yeah, i was toying with the idea of buying the unregistered blue B3s that's been ping-ponged between my local dealership in Harold Wood and Nottingham but, in the end, I thought I'd just make the most of what I've got by tarting it up and put the 'savings' towards having another Mercedes G wagon back on my drive in the new year instead as I seriously miss my old G55.Metrics wrote:Nice one RufTt12. Guessing from that you're keeping the D3 for a while longer?
Enjoy!
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- AL
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LSD
I loved reading your post re. LSD and am very excited to get one for my D3, does anyone know if it affects the warrenty?
Simon Rose Msc Bsc Hons MCOptom
Alpina F31 D3 Bi Turbo Touring #218, build 01/06/2016
Mediterranean Blue/Oyster Dakota Leather, black trim, Registered April 2018
Alpina E85 Roadster S #19 Silver /Black Leather/ Lux Registered 2004, Press launch Car.
Porsche 911 996 Targa Silver/Black leather, manual, registered 2002.
BMW f800r, Motorsport Red, white and blue, registered 2019.
Alpina F31 D3 Bi Turbo Touring #218, build 01/06/2016
Mediterranean Blue/Oyster Dakota Leather, black trim, Registered April 2018
Alpina E85 Roadster S #19 Silver /Black Leather/ Lux Registered 2004, Press launch Car.
Porsche 911 996 Targa Silver/Black leather, manual, registered 2002.
BMW f800r, Motorsport Red, white and blue, registered 2019.
Re: LSD
My car’s just outside of its warranty period so it makes no difference to me however, at the time of fitting, Kevin Bird mentioned that they’re using approved parts so, technically, the answer to your question is NO.Simon Rose wrote:I loved reading your post re. LSD and am very excited to get one for my D3, does anyone know if it affects the warrenty?
On a more serious note: is it really wise to have your address plastered all over the internet like that?
The assumption that fitting an aftermarket LSD and it not compromise the warranty is only partially correct. If a car is within manufacturers warranty and has a Birds or similar LSD fitted and there was a failure of a component related to the after market fitting of the LSD, then the warranty will definitely be invalidated in relation to that failure.
If however, a completely unrelated failure occurs, e.g. the Pro Media, then you would be covered, so beware is all I would say. Also, ensure that the after market suppliers carry out the necessary soft ware upgrade that allows the car to recognize that it is now fitted with LSD.
Yes, the complete one off Blue Hera B3S saloon is in the showroom, so if anyone is interested in the car, don't hesitate to contact me.
If however, a completely unrelated failure occurs, e.g. the Pro Media, then you would be covered, so beware is all I would say. Also, ensure that the after market suppliers carry out the necessary soft ware upgrade that allows the car to recognize that it is now fitted with LSD.
Yes, the complete one off Blue Hera B3S saloon is in the showroom, so if anyone is interested in the car, don't hesitate to contact me.
I Gary, it’s always nice to see you take an active roll on this forum as I believe it adds an element of ‘faith’ to the brand.Gary Lott wrote:
Yes, the complete one off Blue Hera B3S saloon is in the showroom, so if anyone is interested in the car, don't hesitate to contact me.
With regards to LSD conversions (specifically the ones carried out by Birds BMW) is there a way that a technician would be able to tell if one had been fitted without an extensive road test?
If I was to ask really nicely would you kindly supply your demonstrator B4s to the cars at the Alpina event at my local dealership? I had recently experienced an early F30 B3 which I fear wasn’t the best kept example on the road so my initial impression of a petrol powered 3 series Alpina wasn’t a good one which is why I decided not to bother making the switch from my D3.
Obviously I wouldn’t expect you to roadtest the blue B3s without a firm commitment to buy but, like most things in life, I’m willing to change my mind and (for me) a good idea of what I’m potentially missing out on would go a long way in doing so.
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- ALPINA
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- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:33 pm
- Location: Pembrokeshire
RufRt12 wrote:With regards to LSD conversions (specifically the ones carried out by Birds BMW) is there a way that a technician would be able to tell if one had been fitted without an extensive road test?
From a visual inspection, the Quaife LSD isn't apparent as it is fitted inside the car's original differential casing.
To see if a car has an LSD fitted, the entire rear end is lifted and a wheel turned by hand: the opposite wheel will turn if an LSD is fitted. A road test would be highly unlikely to determine if an LSD is installed unless the same car driven before and after fitting LSD on same road/conditions etc. Or if it was driven as if one's pants were on fire: not sensible on UK roads.
Current:
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
23MY Porsche Macan GTS in Papaya
23MY Cupra Born V3 77kW in Aurora
Previously loved:
ALPINA: E91 B3SBiturbo #127, E92 B3SBiturbo #285, E90 D3Biturbo #097, E85 Roadster S #168 & variety of 'beige' 4 and 6-cyl BMW lumps.
PORSCHE: Macan S, Cayman 981 S, Cayman 981 GTS
Also with a quaife diff fitted when the rear of the car is in the air and the wheels spun they act like an open diff when unloaded and the wheels spin in the opposite direction!ade and liz flint wrote:RufRt12 wrote:With regards to LSD conversions (specifically the ones carried out by Birds BMW) is there a way that a technician would be able to tell if one had been fitted without an extensive road test?
From a visual inspection, the Quaife LSD isn't apparent as it is fitted inside the car's original differential casing.
To see if a car has an LSD fitted, the entire rear end is lifted and a wheel turned by hand: the opposite wheel will turn if an LSD is fitted. A road test would be highly unlikely to determine if an LSD is installed unless the same car driven before and after fitting LSD on same road/conditions etc. Or if it was driven as if one's pants were on fire: not sensible on UK roads.