Finally got my Quaife! 128i bliss.

[2tonik]

After a month-long wait for a core to come available (with attendant feelings of morbidness since that meant another person's 128i needed to be totaled), Mike at VAC Motorsports in Philadelphia built my new diff. Mike was a pleasure to deal with and very enthusiastic.

I had it shipped to Korman Autoworks in Greensboro and they did the install. Korman's shop is super impressive - lots of older BMW's, race prepped cars, restorations, and in the waiting area, a restored round tail light 2002 and a super clean E36 328i with tasteful mods - if I had known it was for sale when I was looking for my 128i, I might have taken the plunge… Korman has a very impressive history in racing BMW's and I knew they would do a great job on the install. Mr. Korman came out at one point and offered me some coffee. He was very pleasant and good natured - and I was in awe of his accomplishments.

Here is some history on him:

http://www.kormanautoworks.com/about.htm

Just like in my departed and beloved RX-8, sold in 2008 to fund my Honda Odyssey work/family vehicle, the Quaife in my 128i is invisible when it's not active, and smooth and controllable when it's in operation. The car will now rotate under power at low speeds (first and second gear) where I like to have most of my fun. Now I have to recalibrate my technique to accommodate those delicious yaw angles that a limited slip can provide.

There also seems to less lash in the drive train compared to the stock factory diff. Bonus.

The first thing I do after the car starts is turn off all the nannies (I survived 33 years of driving with out them) and the Quaife seems to fly under the E-Diff's radar. Since the E-Diff, as I understand it, compensates for differing rear wheel rotational speeds, the Quaife activating keeps those speeds similar so the E-Diff never gets involved. Perfect.

I don't drive my 128i in rain, but I might take it out to an abandoned parking lot in the wet a few times just to get some heavy-duty Quaife training….

[Dackelone]

I think we are all a little Jelly of your LSD.

Btw... don't forgot to change the diff oil after 1,200 miles. Just like on a new car, your LSD will need a break in oil change. And do not exceed 110 mph or do any WOT runs before the break in period.

[TheSt|G]

Ah, the final mod for me soon. Did you snag the VAC heatsink/drain plug cover?

[Hops128i]

just curious, how do we know the ediff is still not trying to spoil things? Do you not see the traction light anymore?

In hopes of eventually getting this mod, I'm taking BMW advice of a lifetime diff fluid fill on the stock diff.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Hops128i

just curious, how do we know the ediff is still not trying to spoil things? Do you not see the traction light anymore?

In hopes of eventually getting this mod, I'm taking BMW advice of a lifetime diff fluid fill on the stock diff.

eDiff and traction control are two separate things.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

eDiff and traction control are two separate things.

I was under the impression that the 128i does not have ediff at all. If that's true then it no wonder it plays nice with the LSD

[Hops128i]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

eDiff and traction control are two separate things.

yeah, I know, but I was thinking the ediff activates the traction light, but now I remember that's not the case, I don't see any traction light with everything off when autocrossing.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I was under the impression that the 128i does not have ediff at all. If that's true then it no wonder it plays nice with the LSD

It does. All modern BMWs except M cars have it.

[Wakka]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Ah, the final mod for me soon. Did you snag the VAC heatsink/drain plug cover?

'final' mod? You of all people should know there is no such thing

[2tonik]

Additional Bonus:

At around $3k installed, this upgrade will make the DISA intake, SuperSprint header, BMW P.E., and "square" tire/wheel mods look cheep

[2tonik]

I wanted to stay stock-looking and subtle so I did not get the sweet VAC diff cover.

[marc@x-ph.com]

Looking forward to your review post break in

This should be one of the first mods on our cars. If it wasn't for the price

[2tonik]

I don't think there's a break in period for the Quaife. I did put about 60 highway miles on the diff during the drive home before I tested the Quaife.

That said , I am pretty easy on my drive trains, especially on launches.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Boston Terrier

Additional Bonus:

At around $3k installed, this upgrade will make the DISA intake, SuperSprint header, BMW P.E., and "square" tire/wheel mods look cheep

Do it yourself and it's only ~$1100-$1200. 128i unit is bolted too which makes it much easier to do. 135i you need to cut the factory welds.

[uberschnell]

Originally Posted by Boston Terrier

I don't think there's a break in period for the Quaife. I did put about 60 highway miles on the diff during the drive home before I tested the Quaife.

That said , I am pretty easy on my drive trains, especially on launches.

When I installed a quaife on my 335 the shop had me bring it back at 1000 mi for fluid change. Same was true when I installed a wavetrac on my 135.

I'd find out what the shop thinks

[2tonik]

FWIW, my diff was welded as well. I believe all the later E82 diffs are welded.

[Hops128i]

Originally Posted by Boston Terrier

FWIW, my diff was welded as well. I believe all the later E82 diffs are welded.

do you have to weld in the new one?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Boston Terrier

FWIW, my diff was welded as well. I believe all the later E82 diffs are welded.

Are you 100% sure? Quaife told me otherwise.

[Kgolf31]

it was my understanding that all late E82 diffs were welded. but if the 128 is bolted then it makes life a lot wasier

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

it was my understanding that all late E82 diffs were welded. but if the 128 is bolted then it makes life a lot wasier

Now I'm curious. What's considered late, LCI or '09 facelift?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Now I'm curious. What's considered late, LCI or '09 facelift?

I thought it was 09+

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

I thought it was 09+

Evidence?