[jfg22557]

Hi all,

Planning to order an '18 230i coupe with the THP and 6MT within the next month or so. I've gotten one lease quote so far, but forgot to include this important option question:

I absolutely want an LSD, but have not been able to confirm through online research if the M Performance LSD is an option for the 230i (dealer installed, from what I understand). Can anyone confirm?

I did find on ECS Tuning's website that the OEM M Performance LSD (part number 33108659989) supposedly fits the 230i, however my research says that the 230i has a 3.91 final drive ratio and the M240i has a 3.08 final drive ratio.
That leads me to believe that they cant possibly share the same "pre-assembled" LSD?

[Maynard]

Wouldn't a call to the dealership you are ordering from solve this? Doesn't matter what a/b here says, if they won't install on a lease, that's the answer (you probably have more than one dealership to check too, in NYC).

[jfg22557]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Wouldn't a call to the dealership you are ordering from solve this? Doesn't matter what a/b here says, if they won't install on a lease, that's the answer (you probably have more than one dealership to check too, in NYC).

Yes, I am planning on checking with a few dealers, starting with my local dealer who gave me the first quote.

The goal of this post is to ascertain if any other drivers here have in fact ordered their 228i/230i with the MP LSD because I do not want to solely rely on the dealer's word, given that this may be an unusual request on a base 2 series.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by jfg22557

Hi all,

Planning to order an '18 230i coupe with the THP and 6MT within the next month or so. I've gotten one lease quote so far, but forgot to include this important option question:

I absolutely want an LSD, but have not been able to confirm through online research if the M Performance LSD is an option for the 230i (dealer installed, from what I understand). Can anyone confirm?

I did find on ECS Tuning's website that the OEM M Performance LSD (part number 33108659989) supposedly fits the 230i, however my research says that the 230i has a 3.91 final drive ratio and the M240i has a 3.08 final drive ratio.
That leads me to believe that they cant possibly share the same "pre-assembled" LSD?

I had reviewed this subject in-depth when I was getting an LSD and the answer is no - there is no MP LSD available for the 230i available. They all for the 35/40i lines. Something about the axles being different.

The part number you're working with is for a 235/240 auto. Thus, no dealer won't even bother attempting an installation for a part that does not match their system as compatible.

You might be able to find an LSD for a 230i on the aftermarket market. But it most likely will be just the LSD unit and not a full plug and play pumpkin like the MP LSD.

[jfg22557]

Originally Posted by sunil_linus

I had reviewed this subject in-depth when I was getting an LSD and the answer is no - there is no MP LSD available for the 230i available. They all for the 30/40i lines. Something about the axles being different.

The part number you're working with is for a 235/240 auto. Thus, no dealer won't even bother attempting an installation for a part that does not match their system as compatible.

You might be able to find an LSD for a 230i on the aftermarket market. But it most likely will be just the LSD unit and not a full plug and play pumpkin like the MP LSD.

That is really unfortunate. I daily drove an e46 328ci for about a year and a half- the car was great, but the one thing I could not stand was the open diff.

Did you research the aftermarket LSD options for the 230i? Would it be feasible to assume that the actual MP LSD (inside of the housing/pumpkin) intended for the 235/40 can be swapped into the 230's housing/pumpkin? I've got a very well respected BMW/Porsche/Audi independent shop near me who I'm sure would do it.

But, the question would then become one of lease term violations.... and just how expensive the whole process would be, including swapping the open diff back in 3 years later when it's time to turn the car in.

edit: This is all just leading me to believe I should be looking at lease options for an M240i with LSD.... but I hear the balance is significantly worse than the 230i, with far more weight over the front. Plus, I already have a weekend car (911) and am really looking for a fun commuter (hence targeting the 230i).

[aerobod]

The M240i weight distribution is 52.5/47.5% F/R with the manual transmission, for the 230i it is 50.8/49.2%, so not much of a difference. Strapping a 30kg (65 pound) sandbag in the trunk above the rear bumper will make the weight distribution 50/50, or just using the throttle on the M240i will give you much more control to change the balance from understeer to oversteer than you will get in the 230i.

For comparison, for cars I could find numbers on (manual transmission where available, as automatic is pretty well always more front biased, unless it has a transaxle):
AMG C63 is 53/47
M3 (manual) is 51.6/48.4
Camaro ZL1 (manual) is 54/46

[230iZTR]

I asked around when I ordered my ‘18 230i (ZF8) and was told the m-perf LSD would mate with the trans but not my axles. I assume yours would fit neither the trans or the axles. So now I’m planning on getting a diffs-online built wavetrac eventually.