[k726]

I know LSDs were reserved for Ms but have noticed the new 5 has an ELSD and the 6 will too. Will the new 3?

[marcel b]

ELSD is an electronic diff, meaning the brakes are used to limit the spinning of the inside wheel. This has nothing to do with a real LSD. March 2008+ 3series already got this, one series as well what I know. So nothing new.

[VTECaddict]

The 3er has unofficially had the eLSD since sometime in 08.

[k726]

Just wondering because I did not see it listed under specs on BMWNA. Sorry!

[noro]

BMW also has the torque vectoring rear end, but currently only for X6M and X5M cars. I would love to have this piece if it does not add too much weight.

[Brey335i]

Originally Posted by marcel b

ELSD is an electronic diff, meaning the brakes are used to limit the spinning of the inside wheel. This has nothing to do with a real LSD. March 2008+ 3series already got this, one series as well what I know. So nothing new.

So what did it have before that?

[noro]

Originally Posted by Brey335i

So what did it have before that?

The whole evolution with this is actually pretty interesting. Back on early E46s the basic DSC feature would modulate rear brakes in addition to cutting away engine power when instability was detected. You had a choice between this fully intrusive mode, or no traction control at all. On later models they decided to take the system a notch higher and the 1st generation of e-diff was born. Only it wasn't called e-diff... in fact it didn't really have a name... or if it did, it probably was some lame ass abbreviation of 3 letters. In any case, stage 1 deactivation of the DSC allowed the engine power to be fed to the rear wheels regardless of traction conditions but the rear brakes where used to slow down the spinning wheels so that the torque would transfer over to the other wheels. The end results was a very fun to drive car in snow. On E9x they went with a more advances system in which the "activation of ATC", meaning deactivation of all full control of the computer over the engine and wheels meant that the spin threshold before the system kicks in was increased. The end results was that the car would allow a bit wheel spin before the engine power would cut out, in addition the steering angle was factored in when applying individual brakes to the rear wheels. The end result of that system was better snow traction, but the fun factor was gone because the car became more obedient and did everything in its power to go where the front wheels are pointing. E-diff, brings back the concept of later model E46s in which you have a mode for simply preventing the 2 rear wheels from spinning at very different speeds (aka classic LSD), but the engine power is continued to be fed. In case of e-diff, based on feedback of others, the precision and smoothness of the system is greatly improved over the E46s.

I had a pleasure of owning E46s and E92 over Boston winters and the ability to fling that E46s around is a considerable grade higher than the E92. Thankfully I have E46 back in my stable and can't wait for this winter!

[k726]

Nice post. So basically the upgrade was really a downgrade in terms of performance, but a positive move towards safety?

[swifty]

k, i'm a little confused.
so are you saying for winter use in the e92, I have to press the dsc button once to activate the e-lsd (brake one wheel so power can be sent to opposite wheel)? ... or I just don't press anything cuz e-lsd is always on.

thanks.

[k726]

e-lsd is always active through the DME. The open diff is what allows the E-LSD to distribute power to a different wheel. Having DTC enabled will first check for wheelspin... when there is too much wheelspin the DME will limit engine power in an attempt to stabilize the overspinning wheel. It will also apply brakes in the rear to compensate for the overspin before limiting engine power. Sorry a bit sloppy but understandable.

[swifty]

hey to the OP, i apologize for hijacking this thread. Just curious about the e-lsd because I thought only the 1 series had it. I always felt that my e39 and e46 drove better in the snow than my e60 or e92. I assumed the difference was because of the extra torque in the new cars, especially in the e92.

nway, i pressed DTC last night and it said "Dtc Activated, Dsc limited." Is this the best way to drive in the snow or should I not press anything?

Thanks for all the help. Learned quite a bit.

[DJKhan85]

Originally Posted by swifty

hey to the OP, i apologize for hijacking this thread. Just curious about the e-lsd because I thought only the 1 series had it. I always felt that my e39 and e46 drove better in the snow than my e60 or e92. I assumed the difference was because of the extra torque in the new cars, especially in the e92.

nway, i pressed DTC last night and it said "Dtc Activated, Dsc limited." Is this the best way to drive in the snow or should I not press anything?

Thanks for all the help. Learned quite a bit.

Check out this video. It goes into detail about the different modes. It doesn't specifically pertain to our cars but it gets the point across. If you are driving in the snow and need to get started, then press the dtc button one(activates DTC). Once you get going switch it back to full DSC mode.

[Artz 330]

DSC + XI = Beast, even with Stability control completly off the Xdrive is sweet, the back end you can do a controled drift while the front pulls you out. I loved my moms E90 330XI in the snow.

[woodpecka]

Very nice video. We all know that DCT is good but this proove it.

I look forward to next winter to try the X-Drive!

[FLA 335]

this is amazing... too bad i live in florida... i would like to try this as well!!