Was a limited slip differential offered on the E39 528 and 540?

Buckwilly · #1 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 06:00 AM

I have been having difficulty fining this info searching on all of the bmw forums and google searches.

Question - Did the E39 528 and 540 come stock with a LSD on either model with a manual transmission? Let me know. I would also like a link to this info to confirm if anyone can find a thread(s) on this info. Thanks.

Also, I know that they come with a brake actuated traction control system but I am talking specifically about a Limited slip. I absolutely hate the traction control systems that come on rear wheel drive cars unless I am driving in the snow or rain. I really enjoyed my stock LSD on my M3 when I owned it, but I am worried that the 5 series E39s do not come with a LSD which means I need to swap one in when I get a 5'er.

bmw528i · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckwilly

I have been having difficulty fining this info searching on all of the bmw forums and google searches.

Question - Did the E39 528 and 540 come stock with a LSD on either model with a manual transmission? Let me know. I would also like a link to this info to confirm if anyone can find a thread(s) on this info. Thanks.

Also, I know that they come with a brake actuated traction control system but I am talking specifically about a Limited slip. I absolutely hate the traction control systems that come on rear wheel drive cars unless I am driving in the snow or rain. I really enjoyed my stock LSD on my M3 when I owned it, but I am worried that the 5 series E39s do not come with a LSD which means I need to swap one in when I get a 5'er.

The 528 has an open diff. I would know...and I believe the 540i Sport with the 6 speed had a limited slip.

James · #3 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw528i

The 528 has an open diff. I would know...and I believe the 540i Sport with the 6 speed had a limited slip.

Unless this was offered in later models, my 97 540 6-speed definitely had an open differential.

bmw528i · #4 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Unless this was offered in later models, my 97 540 6-speed definitely had an open differential.

Yeah, I think in 2001 it was part of the Sport Package with the M-Tech body kit. I could be wrong though. For some reason I remember reading it somewhere.

Buckwilly · #5 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 09:15 AM

Thanks guys, I had a feeling they all had an open differential. I am only really intersted in the 97-98 5 series anyhow. That kind of stinks actually, and with the mechanical issues and the fact that they have an open differential, I will have to persue another vehicle. Its either an M3 or a Lexus IS300 5 speed with the LSD option. Sorry, I'm picky and I hate driving RWD without a differential, my 2003.5 G35 sedan had a open diff and it was not very fun during "spirited" driving- more like driving an old Camaro.

I miss my old M3 sedan, I should have never sold it.

Buckwilly · #6 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 09:31 AM

Actually, funny tidbit of info, all of my nissan SE-Rs including my daily driven beater Nissan NX2000 come from the factory with a limited slip AND they are fwd and are a blast to drive through the twisties because of the differential. I don't understand why a luxury "ultimate driving machine" like a BMW 5 series would not come with a LSD stock. I am disappointed and have always just assumed they did come with one until I researched.

bmw528i · #7 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckwilly

Thanks guys, I had a feeling they all had an open differential. I am only really intersted in the 97-98 5 series anyhow. That kind of stinks actually, and with the mechanical issues and the fact that they have an open differential, I will have to persue another vehicle. Its either an M3 or a Lexus IS300 5 speed with the LSD option. Sorry, I'm picky and I hate driving RWD without a differential, my 2003.5 G35 sedan had a open diff and it was not very fun during "spirited" driving- more like driving an old Camaro.

I miss my old M3 sedan, I should have never sold it.

Honestly, I feel you on this. I have a 2000 528i and although I can get the back end to come out occasionally I just don't really try anymore. I've gone to the track and some auto-cross days with the car club at my school, and although I am surprisingly one of the faster cars there, it's still a struggle particularly on auto-cross courses with 90-180 degree turns. With a limited slip it would be a whole lot easier to make those turns by kicking the back end out a little bit. One thing I have come to accept with my car is it is a great cruiser. Even with my larger wheels and lower profile tires it still rides fantastic. This summer when I'm working full time again I'm ditching the stock suspension for a compete Bilstein system. Looking to lower the front by 1.5 inches and the rear about 1 inch. I'm adding some sway bars and probably strut braces. My car has 71,000 miles as of now and it is in perfect running condition so I feel these upgrades are worth it. Originally I tried to buy a 1999 M3 but the insurance companies kind of looked down on this and the best I could do was the 528i. Other things I'm looking to add are a new intake with a bigger throttle body and a full cat-back exhaust and if I can swing by Dinan I'm definitely going to add the chip. I don't know though. With all this money I spend I can buy a faster car but I've become to attached to it and now that I started with wheels and an audio system I feel things are going to get out of control fast. Oh well...

bmw528i · #8 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckwilly

I don't understand why a luxury "ultimate driving machine" like a BMW 5 series would not come with a LSD stock. I am disappointed and have always just assumed they did come with one until I researched.

Yeah. After 1995 BMW stopped fitting LSD's on all non M vehicles to keep the price down. I agree that this is a mistake particularly when you look at the new 335. For most of the vehicles I guess it makes sense. Particularly when you look at non performance oriented BMW's. If anything there should be the option to have a LSD fitted in the car.

Billan · #9 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:36 PM

I have a 2003 540 sport 6 speed and it does not have an LSD. One of the things I dislike about the car.

Scany · #10 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008, 08:54 PM

The only E39 with LSD would be the M5 as far as I know. I believe the Z3 Coupe 3.0 was the "last" to be offered with an LSD. Sure is funny they wouldn't offer it as an option when it makes such a difference.

Aren't they offering LSDs on the 335i coupe? or was that only the 135i?

Quack · #11 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 08:17 PM

the only E39 that has LSD is the M5, doesn't matter if it's a 528, 530, 540, stick or auto all non-M E39's has open diffs, 2 good ways to check is to do a burnout, if both wheels are smoking than you have LSD, or you can jack up the rear-end, if you spin the rear wheel & the other rear wheel spins the same direction you have LSD, if they spin in opposite direction you don't have LSD.