Going from E36 318ti to E36 sedan?

So I've got this itch to go from one E36 to another. My 318ti (non sunroof, manual, early 96) to a 328i (manual). What bugs me about my 318 is the lack of an LSD, low power, lack of rear doors, and its uncompetitiveness in STX class in autocross. This basically makes me want to stop dumping money into it and just sell it. I have close to $6k in it, but I'd probably only be able to sell it for $4500 max.

My car has new suspension, brakes, hoses and gaskets, and fluid so it can drive anywhere. It also has a nice swaybar and Bilstein Sport dampers that have <5k miles on them. I'd have to do all these upgrades again on the next E36, but then I might be happy with the new car for one. I couldn't transfer parts over as the back half of my 318 isn't like the E36 sedans. Also, I don't know if I could purchase the sedan before I sell the 318.

What would you guys do? Take the $1500 loss and get a E36 sedan, or just keep with the 318?

I'd just keep the ti, you might as well enjoy the car instead of getting hosed at the moment. I don't think you'll be particularly competitive in STX without spending $Texas on a set of true coilovers. Also, I thought you could add the lsd to a car in stx...or is that STU?

Maybe drive the car as-is for a year and see if the right E36 sedan comes along. You've put all the $ and work into it, might as well drive it for a while.

My '92 E36 325i was a regular 4-door and it had the optional (at the time) LSD from the factory, so keep that in mind while searching for the right car.

You can add a LSD to a car in STX. The problem is that I cannot find a 318ti LSD anywhere. I've found out that a 318is LSD fits, but the case is different, so I'd have to swap internals if that isn't above my pay grade. And again, I don't want to put more money in my 318 but it absolutely needs a LSD to be fun in autocross.

I would put a focus on suspension if I get a good sedan. I didn't exactly get a bargain for my 318ti, and I was rushed for time so I had to purchase it. I have much more time now to find the right car this time around, but I'd still lose money on the 318.

I think an LSD from the Z3 fits in the 318ti. I might be wrong, but if not it might be an easier find for you.

LSD's from the Z3 is a viscous LSD and the wrong ratio.

In reply to MINIzguy:

Ahh, if I upgrade my rear end this coming year, I'll hit you up with an offer for an OEM ti lsd. If I upgrade it, I'm going to try for a z3m 3.23 setup.

Well personally I kind of dig the look of the Ti. Also, consider that the Ti uses the rear suspension design from the E30.

The other E36 cars have a different setup, I believe this is an accurate diagram:

Anyways, it seems that the Ti suspension is much more simple, and probably less expensive to maintain. Looks like less bushings, less opportunity for things to go wrong, etc. Also, they say the E30 style suspension is more lively and tail happy, probably due to the camber change throughout suspension travel, so lots of people say its more fun to drive.

Have you driven a sedan/coupe yet?

I don't think LSD's are all that common in any E36's.

I have a 96 328i Sport without one and was told that by 1996 the M3 was the only car in the entire E36 line that had a real limited slip. I heard that they are easier to find in early E36's (with the right options) but you may be looking at a diff swap in any case.

Yeah, why would you switch to a 328i? It has no LSD. More power and doors, but you still need to swap the LSD in.

I've driven a few coupe M3's and one sedan 318. Never in an autocross setting but the cabin does feel bigger in the back, given that you get 2 extra inches of leg room. I do like the sedan's shape more. I know the ti is much simpler and cheaper to maintain, but I wish it just had more power to get around and for autox.

LSD's are rare for the E36, but are around. Waiting for a winter package 325i or getting lucky with a junkyard piece would be my hope. I've even found a 2.93 ratio LSD for the 328i on a BMW forum. The gear ratio on the sedans/coupe is also better than the 318ti. I don't hit 60mph in 2nd on a stock tune, and I get 61mph with a tune. At the same time, I'd go 65mph with a 325i and 70 on the 328i at the top of 2nd.

I'm not doing this right away and considering options. Autox season is almost over so I've got all winter and spring to make a decision.

SEADave wrote: I have a 96 328i Sport without one and was told that by 1996 the M3 was the only car in the entire E36 line that had a real limited slip.

I was misled about this too, but several 1996 non-Ms were equipped with the LSD option: 328's, 318's, and 318ti's.

I know of several people that added the internal LSD units to 328 rear ends this year. One was a 1996 328i that is being run in G Street.

All E36 cars had an optional LSD. The M3 had it stock, and all is cars did too up until a specific year ('94?). It was optional on the ti too so ... go ahead and put one on it. What ratio do you need? IIRC the ti may have been 4.10 because it had the over-driven 5th? You can expect to pay about $400 for a used one in most ratios. The 3.73 costs a little more as they are desirable for specE30.

I found a 3.15 locally with around 90k miles on it since being rebuilt. The guy wanted $300 for it. Not bad.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: All E36 cars had an optional LSD. The M3 had it stock, and all is cars did too up until a specific year ('94?).

The 1991 318is didn't come standard with the LSD. Nor did the sports package equipped 1991 325i come with one standard. Pretty much none of the E36 "is" models came standard with one. The 1993 inclement weather package did include the LSD, and maybe the 1994 325is M-Technic came with it standard.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: All E36 cars had an optional LSD. The M3 had it stock, and all is cars did too up until a specific year ('94?). It was optional on the ti too so ... go ahead and put one on it. What ratio do you need? IIRC the ti may have been 4.10 because it had the over-driven 5th? You can expect to pay about $400 for a used one in most ratios. The 3.73 costs a little more as they are desirable for specE30.

I really don't think all the e36 cars had an optional LSD. I'm pretty sure only the 325 had it as an option for a few years. The M3 always has one, but after they added traction control they stopped giving an LSD option for the other cars

Traction control and LSD options were mutually exclusive, and the former was standard by 1997.

The 328 LSD is still available new from BMW ($575) while the E36 325 one has been discontinued. 318ti LSD is also still available new ($740). The 328 can use the LSD from an E30 325e(s), E24 633CSi, E28 528e, or E34 530i. The LSD was even standard on the 325es, but, yeah, you would need to swap it into the 328 rear end case.

A used E36 325 one is cheaper/easier, and probably no one would protest a 1995 M3 rear end either. The E36 325 can also use the internal LSD from an E30 M3, E30 325i(s), various other E24's, E28's, and E34's (not the ones listed above).

Still wondering about the Z3 1.9L LSD rear end. Sounds like the Z3 LSD is a clutch pack (says 25%) and the rear end is the same ratio (1:3.45). The LSD stuff is different part numbers than the ti, while the non-LSD rear ends are the same part number.

For his 318 he needs an e30 small case diff. The other e36 cases won't bolt up and the large 210mm case was never offered on his car.

? The 4 cylinder Z3 also used the small case (Type 168). It seems strange that an LSD equipped one wouldn't bolt up when the non-LSD version shares the same part number with the ti, IDK.

Only the 3.2L European E36 M3s used the large Type 210 cases. Why is this even in the discussion?

my 96 318ti had the factory LSD. you need to find an early 96 or before with the Winter package. (look for heated seats). After mid-96, only the M-cars got the limited slip.

First I heard that the ti had less leg room. As far I knew, the only difference in length between the Ti and the rest was behind the axle. I know the rear quarter trim between the door and the wheel is the same as the coupe' and the plastic oversills are the same for coupe', sedan, and Ti

As mentioned before, LSD was an option. You could have an LSD on a 325i. You need to check the diff tag. If it has an S, followed by the ratio, its a limited slip unit.

See the pic:

An inline 6 swapped ti would probably be fun. BMW did sell a 323ti in Europe. Find a wrecked donor sedan for the entire drivetrain and even dash? Likely a poor chassis choice for Street Modified competitiveness though.

Lots of misinformation here.

The Z3's have a LSD, but they are not the clutch type but a viscous LSD. Not ideal for autocross.

I did check and the internal differential of the 318is is the same as the one used for the ti, 3.45 ratio. I would need to swap cases though.

Now I see where people are getting their 2.93 LSDs from as there are lots of vehicles that may have a LSD then.

I don't want to put a M3 differential on. The axle bolts are bigger and stronger, making it not STX legal.

Whatever I do, whether it be add a LSD to my 318 or get a E36 sedan, I want to keep it STX legal. That means no ratio changes or rear end swaps.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

The 5sp in the ti has a 1:1 5th gear and 3.45:1 rear gear ratio.

MINIzguy wrote: The Z3's have a LSD, but they are not the clutch type but a viscous LSD. Not ideal for autocross.

Where did you find the information that the Z3 has a viscous? As far as I know (BMW parts database) the only BMW to have one of those is the E30 325ix. I find several references to the Z3 1.9L having an optional (probably very rare) clutch-pack LSD likely only available in MY1996 before traction control became standard.