1. Does the ‘aero kit’ for 135 require just the aero front and side skirts (as it already has the M rear)?
2. For the ‘carbon interior’ it puts the Short Shift Kit and Shift knob as two separate line items, but i was under the impression the SSK included the shift knob. Does that mean you automatically get 2/7 items?
3. I was unable to find non-illuminated doorsills… are those discontinued?
4. The Short shift kit is included in the dynamics and interior ‘packages’ can it therefore be double-counted if you installed both?
5. Looks like the 135 cannot be specced with the aluminum strut brace (only carbon) is this correct? is this because it already has the aluminum installed?

Thank you.

E46 330i LSD

EDIT- There was some confusion that this was an LSD…. It is NOT. Apologies all around. Order a ZHP rear diff for the E46 and you should be all set!

Serious, I don’t mind the extra noise since I do track my car a couple of times per year. It may even help winter driving when the snow falls…

If MINI was willing to offer it on the regular MCS, I think BMW owners should be given the same opportunity to check the same option box when configuring their build.

If MINI is taking away the mechanical LSD as an option, I will be saddened. I’m surprised the take rate is less than 2%. From the cars that I see coming in for service, it feels more like around 10% to me. Regardless, I still think it should be offered as an option. Otherwise, we’ll probably no longer see any R56s participating in autocrosses.

The e-diff is a poor substitute for a mechanical LSD. JCW buyers can’t even get a real diff anymore. Using such a device on the track will only add more heat to the brakes. So those buyers don’t have the option of buying an M (or a JCW in this case) and would have to go aftermarket. I’m not even sure how easy it would be to retrofit a mechanical diff and take away the e-diff without all sorts of warning lights coming on.

The E46 LSD take rate may not be an accurate indicator, since people would have to incur an extra labor expense to have it installed. If it were offered as a factory option, I think more enthusiasts would check that box.

Having an ///M diff in my own DD I can say that the vast majority of driver’s have no use for it at all and that it is NOISY (clunks/whine, etc.) even with a proper break in (it is even noted in the manual) which would make most people think that something is wrong all while lessening MPG (something BMW and every brand is battling)

Chris Chao- You mention MINI offering the LSD, well they are not anymore as soon as the inventory runs out that is it because the take rate is less than 2%- it does not even pay for them to store the parts and that is from the factory!! So in the end MINI owner’s who I personally think are the most vocal about what they want and tout that they will buy things (Cheaper than BMW offerings BTW) because MINI’s are meant to be go-karts do not even buy the LSD!! If BMW needed any more evidence than that I am not sure. For the JCW they did not even offer it!

I will be sure to ask next week what the sales are like for the E46 LSD that has been available for over 18 months now and let you all know.

However, I also really wish that BMW moves away from the electronic LSDs and goes back to mechanical LSDs only.

And they say there is no demand Come on…are they kidding ?

Also, why aren’t the BMW Performance parts available preinstalled at the factory? That would lower the cost to buyers even more, and perhaps bring in more sales.

(Yes similar things will be available on the “is” models, but not for the normally aspirated models and not in conjunction with a manual transmission).

Chas58- Basically it means that some of the value of the parts will be added to the MSRP so in the end you are not footing the whole bill for those parts when you lease and turn them in when the lease is up.

Great work, thanks!