E92 rear differential help

Kitsan · 04-04-2017, 10:12 AM

Hi all,

My 07 E92 2.0L petrol started making a slight noise from the diff area, upon inspection the rear diff is fubar. The garage has suggested buying a second hand unit and replacing it.

Can anyone suggest a reputable person or company to get one? Also if I was doing an eBay search what model diff should I be looking for?

Thank you in advance.

Raahil · 04-04-2017, 10:48 AM

You will need to find out what ratio your diff is so will depend on what engine model etc you have.

Plug your first 7 digits of your vin into realoem and see what part numbers/ ratio you get. You can start your search from there on.

I had a n43 variant e92 320i and that was a 3.64 ratio

bfleming · 04-04-2017, 11:52 AM

Auto & manual boxes will have different ratio rear diffs...

Phil325i · 04-04-2017, 03:17 PM

I would think very carefully before parting with your cash on a secondhand diff. I'm on my third diff in 70,000 miles (all genuine BMW parts) and have come to the conclusion that these days, BMW diffs are about as reliable as a chocolate teapot.

Unless you can find a transmission specialist who can refurb it for you, I would avoid anything other than a genuine replacement. I tried several gearbox specialists, but none of them would touch rebuilding a diff - which might say something...

Kitsan · 04-05-2017, 11:24 AM

Thanks for the help so far guys.

I want to try a second hand unit from a breaker as I intend to sell up and get something more family friendly soon. Don't want to sell it on with a dying diff.

Real OEM dot com is suggesting a 3,64 diff for both N43 and N46N engine variants: part number 33107519925.

Guess I'll try find a low milage unit to swap in. PM me if anyone has anything or please reply if you can be of any help. I hope the above info helps someone else in the future.

Chappers 71 · 04-05-2017, 11:48 AM

Have you looked into getting it refurbed?
Bristol transmissions do diff rebuilds, may be worth giving them a call.

Raahil · 04-05-2017, 12:02 PM

Yes refurb is an option as mainly bearings are what go so can be replaced. And they should offer warranty also.

Do bear in mind though if your planetary gears are worn in the diff its not worth replacing the bearings and will require a complete refurb.

I was quoted £220 for a complete bearing change on mine with a 6months warranty from a gearbox specialist.

wrongmark · 04-03-2018, 04:33 PM

I realise this is late but I've had issues with the diff on mine (N43 3,64). After a rebuild it was still noisy then it leaked all of its oil out about 6 months later. I bought a used refurbished diff from a BMW broker and repair specialist in Sheffield. That was noisy. They changed the bearings under their three month warranty. Now it’s totally quiet.

A new one from BMW is over £2k fitted. Refurbished are around £700 fitted, but can be a bit hit and miss.

The BMW specialist told me that the diffs on the diesels are more reliable and you can convert the petrol engined cars using a kit to use the diesel diff but it costs another few hundred quid.

04-04-2017, 10:12 AM	#1
Kitsan New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 08 SG E92 Msport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bath, UK iTrader: (0)	E92 rear differential help Hi all, My 07 E92 2.0L petrol started making a slight noise from the diff area, upon inspection the rear diff is fubar. The garage has suggested buying a second hand unit and replacing it. Can anyone suggest a reputable person or company to get one? Also if I was doing an eBay search what model diff should I be looking for? Thank you in advance.
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04-04-2017, 10:48 AM	#2
Raahil Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 235 Posts Drives: BMW 435d Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	You will need to find out what ratio your diff is so will depend on what engine model etc you have. Plug your first 7 digits of your vin into realoem and see what part numbers/ ratio you get. You can start your search from there on. I had a n43 variant e92 320i and that was a 3.64 ratio
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04-04-2017, 11:52 AM	#3
bfleming First Lieutenant 97 Rep 398 Posts Drives: Merc, VW, Porsche, Suzuki Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Herts, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 525d F11 [0.00]	Auto & manual boxes will have different ratio rear diffs...
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04-04-2017, 03:17 PM	#4
Phil325i Brigadier General 624 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	I would think very carefully before parting with your cash on a secondhand diff. I'm on my third diff in 70,000 miles (all genuine BMW parts) and have come to the conclusion that these days, BMW diffs are about as reliable as a chocolate teapot. Unless you can find a transmission specialist who can refurb it for you, I would avoid anything other than a genuine replacement. I tried several gearbox specialists, but none of them would touch rebuilding a diff - which might say something... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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04-05-2017, 11:24 AM	#5
Kitsan New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 08 SG E92 Msport Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bath, UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the help so far guys. I want to try a second hand unit from a breaker as I intend to sell up and get something more family friendly soon. Don't want to sell it on with a dying diff. Real OEM dot com is suggesting a 3,64 diff for both N43 and N46N engine variants: part number 33107519925. Guess I'll try find a low milage unit to swap in. PM me if anyone has anything or please reply if you can be of any help. I hope the above info helps someone else in the future.
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04-05-2017, 11:48 AM	#6
Chappers 71 Major General 5532 Rep 5,443 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	Have you looked into getting it refurbed? Bristol transmissions do diff rebuilds, may be worth giving them a call. __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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04-05-2017, 12:02 PM	#7
Raahil Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 235 Posts Drives: BMW 435d Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Yes refurb is an option as mainly bearings are what go so can be replaced. And they should offer warranty also. Do bear in mind though if your planetary gears are worn in the diff its not worth replacing the bearings and will require a complete refurb. I was quoted £220 for a complete bearing change on mine with a 6months warranty from a gearbox specialist.
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04-03-2018, 04:33 PM	#8
wrongmark Second Lieutenant 101 Rep 257 Posts Drives: E90 320i, F31 328i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: South Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I realise this is late but I've had issues with the diff on mine (N43 3,64). After a rebuild it was still noisy then it leaked all of its oil out about 6 months later. I bought a used refurbished diff from a BMW broker and repair specialist in Sheffield. That was noisy. They changed the bearings under their three month warranty. Now it’s totally quiet. A new one from BMW is over £2k fitted. Refurbished are around £700 fitted, but can be a bit hit and miss. The BMW specialist told me that the diffs on the diesels are more reliable and you can convert the petrol engined cars using a kit to use the diesel diff but it costs another few hundred quid.
	Appreciate 0 Quote