BMW E34 Differentials

Here you can find all differentials which are used in BMW 5 series E34

——————

2.64

2.79

2.93

3.07

3.15

3.23

3.25

3.38

3.45

3.46

3.64

3.73

3.91

4.10

4.27

4.44

518g

X

518i M40

S/A

S

518i M43

S

A

520i M20

X

520i M50

S

A/T

S

A

525i M20

S

A

525i M50

S/A

TA

TA

S

A

525ix

X

530i M30

S

A

530i M60

S

A

T

535i M30

S

S/A

A

540i M60

X

M5 3.6 S38

X

M5 3.8 S38

S

S

524td M21

S

A

525td M51

S

T

A

525tds M51

X

Description:

S = Manual

A = Automatic

T = Touring

TA = Touring Automatic

X = only this Differential is used, no matter of the year or gearbox!

Dates when BMW E34 differential is changed for this model. With red color is the differential which is used before this date, and in blue is the differential which is used after the date:

518i M40: 9/91

520i M50: 1/91

520iA M50: 9/90

525i M50 und

525iA M50: 9/90

525iA Touring M50: 9/92

535i und 535iA: 9/89

M5 3.8 S38: 6/94

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2 Comments on “BMW E34 Differentials”

  • Thomas Lerche wrote on 2 April, 2011, 6:11

    Hello Everyone:

    Can you please tell me something about differentials.

    1) a differential with a higher number, say a 4.44, has a lower gearing (higher rpm for the same gear), than a differential with a lower number, right?

    2) It says on my buying-contract, that my e34 535i as an option chosen by the first owner, was given a 25% differential (and I am assuming this means a 25% REDUCTION in gearing and thus a 25% higher rpm at any given speed in fifth gear, than a “normal” standard differential). I have read somewhere that such a diff, should be called an LSD 3.15:1 Diff., but from what I read on your site, the standard diff on a 535i e34 is a 3.45 or a 3.64 diff. My 535i does about 90 km/h in fifth gear at 2000 rpm, which for me is way too low a speed for that rpm. I would like my 535i to have as low an rpm as possible for any given speed and at least a speed off 110 km/h at 2000 rpm, so which differential do I have and which should I get???

    Thank you.

    Sincerely Thomas.

  • chris james wrote on 10 January, 2012, 6:46

    My e34 540i does”nt have enough pick up. everyone is saying a 3.4 or 3.6 would be a great improvement over the standard 2.93 gear ratio. Which cars can i find this compatiable gear ratio for my car? i’ve searched numerous 5353i with on avail, then i was told only the differentials f
    from a 530i would work. Please help.

    Sincerely C. James

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