winter option package and LSD's

[fin]

Could someone clarify for me whether a car with 'winter options' such as heated seats, etc. will also have a LSD. That is, if it has heated seats, it has a LSD.

There are three '92 525's in the local u-pull-r-parts (including a touring with little rust, Grrrh--). They are also non-ASC-T cars.

There doesn't seem to be tags on the differentials to tell what variety they are otherwise I wouldn't be asking.

Thanks for any help,

Fin

[repenttokyo]

My car, a Canadian car, does have an LSD, but they are only 25 percent lock. Works well in the snow, not so well on dry pavement. I have the heated seats, no ASC, and light washers.

[tim eh?]

My car, a Canadian car, does have an LSD, but they are only 25 percent lock. Works well in the snow, not so well on dry pavement. I have the heated seats, no ASC, and light washers.

how do you find that out? i've always wanted to know.

the car is brilliant in the snow but i have no idea what i'm driving - thought it was LSD but maybe i'm on something else...

[repenttokyo]

how do you find that out? i've always wanted to know.

the car is brilliant in the snow but i have no idea what i'm driving - thought it was LSD but maybe i'm on something else...

no one wheel spins in the snow = lsd.

[attack eagle]

how do you find that out? i've always wanted to know.

the car is brilliant in the snow but i have no idea what i'm driving - thought it was LSD but maybe i'm on something else...

look for tag on diff

lift car and rotate back wheel, if the other turns the same way then it is lsd.
if it turns the other way it is open.

[bubba966]

I really don't think winter package = LSD. I think the LSD was still optional.

You can take the VINs to the dealer and have them look at the build sheets of the cars for you to tell if it had an LSD installed at the factory.

Surprised you can't find any tags on the diffs. The LSD I bought for my car (from a '91 M5) had the tag on the diff cover, and an S painted on the top of it.

[attack eagle]

92 was the last year that cold weather package included LSD. after that ASC-T was used instead.

Are you going to use this diff on your 530iT?

You are aware that m50 manuals and autos have different gear ratios (3.23 manual/ 4.10 auto) as well as different DS flanges (m or A) correct?

I have no idea what flange a 530 auto diff uses. the manual m50 flange is the larger of the two, both in bolt circle and in bolt sizing.
maybe compare the NUT sizing for the 530 vs 525-m and 525-A?

[BMWCCA1]

92 was the last year that cold weather package included LSD. after that ASC-T was used instead.

I believe that is incorrect. I don't remember AST even being available on a 525i until the '94 model year (which of course started in late '93 but the VIN is the MY designator). The 535i had ASC but not +T, meaning it only controlled the throttle and not the brakes. I could be wrong; I do get mail from AARP.

[attack eagle]

you are probably right on the asc v. asc-t.
not having it (nor wanting it!), I pay the various letters little mind.
What i correct is that 'traction control' replaced the LSD in the cold weather package after 92.

[fin]

Attack Eagle,

Yes, This is for my 530iT.

I had my ASC+T module fail and would prefer to put in a LSD vice trying to shoehorn a replacement back in (a new one was quoted to me at $2850). The reliability of a LSD over a co-mingling of LAD/Hydraulics, Brake lines AND electrical circuits is obvious.

All of the available cars are autos, so the change would be from 3.23 to 4.10 as is.

Even if the flanges are different, are the ring and gear pieces interchangeable? Are the driven flanges at the wheels different also? Or could I also pull the axles to make it work?

If it wasn't for snow, I wouldn't bother. But as the rear likes to be in front in snow, LSD is of great interest to me.

Thanks for the responses,

Fin