BMW Drivetrain Parts for BMW 3 Series E46 (1999-2005)

Hands down - one of the best performance upgrades you can make to an E46 M3, E60 M5 or E63/E64 M6! With almost no downside you can make your BMW much quicker by swapping in a new ring & pinion gear set. The gearing used to be overlooked when planning modifications but the 3.85, 3.91, and 4.10 gears are now one of our biggest selling upgrades for the E46 M3! With a rear end gear upgrade you get the effects of adding horsepower but without adding any more stress to the engine or drivetrain. It's one of the best areas to get return from your modification spending. Using a shorter (numerically higher) gear ratio will give you better acceleration. The R&P acts as a torque multiplier, putting the engine into the power band sooner for each gear. There is an 6% increase in torque at the wheels with the shorter R&P. Want to make your car faster off the line or out of corners? Or avoid a downshift to pass on the highway? This is what you need.

The R&P can be installed on its own but for cars that have more than 60,000 miles it would be a better idea to rebuild the whole diff. The factory viscous limited slip units have a typical lifespan of 50-70,000 miles. We offer diff rebuilding with 3.85 or other gear options and you get a fully-rebuilt and serviced limited slip unit at the same time. Click here for our diff rebuild options.

3.85 Gearing Example: 2004 M3, 6-speed manual, 275/35-19" rear tires

Gear RatioGearSpeedRPM

40 MPH in 4th
3.62 4th 40mph 2,250rpm
3.85 4th 40mph 2,350rpm

70 MPH Cruise
3.62 6th 70mph 2,650rpm
3.85 6th 70mph 2,800rpm

5th Gear Speed at Redline
3.62 5th 175mph 8,000rpm
3.85 5th 165mph 8,000rpm

Why 5th? Because 6th does not have the mechanical advantage to get past wind resistance at these speeds - it is more of a cruise/overdrive gear. Using 5th for comparison purposes is much more relevant than having to take into account wind direction, resistance, grade, elevation, tire sizing, etc. These numbers are for comparisons among gear ratios only, not to determine what your M3 will top out at.

This item is the genuine BMW part and the ring & pinion set only. You will need to have this professionally installed into your existing differential. BMW does not supply differential rebuild parts (bearings, shims, plates, etc.) so only a qualified shop that is experienced in BMW diff rebuilding should perform this installation. We also offer built differentials and exchanges, click here.

This item fits the following BMWs:
2001-2006 E46 BMW M3
2004-2010 E60 BMW M5
2004-2011 E63 BMW M6

OEM part number 33108311351

Looking to upgrade your clutch disc? This Sachs Performance clutch disc is a great option. Allowing for higher torque and horsepower, this disc is perfect for both performance street and light to moderate track applications such as occasional endurance racing, clubsport, autocross, hill climbing and 1/4 mile racing.

Sachs Performance is the racing and performance oriented selection of high quality parts from Sachs and ZF Engineering. Supplying countless brands with OE parts and offering one of the widest selection of OEM replacement parts, they are known for their exceptionally high quality products. You can purchase these performance parts with confidence, knowing they will resist heavy wear and tear for much longer than most other aftermarket options.

When it comes to the torque found on axle nuts you're already looking at using a breaker bar or impact gun not to mention the corrosion collected over the years. The safest approach is using impact socket, since they are built with the strength needed to avoid breaking under pressure.

Features:

• Heavy duty ½ inch-drive sockets and drivers have extra thick alloy steel walls, and take a beating that would destroy normal sockets
•  Durable black oxide coating wipes clean easily and resists rust
• Contains three 12-point sockets for a sure grip on the most common sized axle nuts, plus three hex drives for removing common hex-head plugs and fasteners
• Conveniently packaged in a blow molded case, this set will please the most demanding professional technician or discriminating prosumer

Kit includes:

• 30mm, 32mm, and 36mm - 12-point axle nut sockets - ½" drive

• 14mm, 17mm, and 19mm hex head drive axle shoulder bolt sockets - ½" drive

Upgrade your BMW S54 3.2L & S65 4.0L Engines with the Turner Motorsport Wavetrac Limited Slip Differential. Featuring patented Wavetrac® design, this innovative differential automatically enhances grip in low traction conditions, providing superior performance compared to traditional designs. Crafted with high-strength 9310 steel gears and ARP® fasteners, this differential ensures durability and reliability. Maintenance-free and backed by a limited lifetime warranty, the Wavetrac® differential offers peace of mind and exceptional performance for your BMW.

• Patented Wavetrac® design improves grip in low traction conditions
• High-strength 9310 steel gears ensure durability
• Maintenance-free operation for the lifetime of the differential
• Backed by a limited lifetime warranty for added assurance
• Enhances performance and driving experience for BMW owners

The Wavetrac® Torque Biasing Differential introduces an innovative solution for BMW enthusiasts. With its patented design, the Wavetrac® differential automatically enhances grip in low-traction conditions, setting it apart from conventional torque biasing differential designs.

Crafted with precision, the Wavetrac® differential features high-strength 9310 steel gears encased in case-hardened billet or forged steel bodies. ARP® fasteners are utilized throughout the differential, ensuring robustness and exceptional performance.

One of the defining features of the Wavetrac® differential is its maintenance-free design. Fresh from the factory, it's engineered to deliver a lifetime of service without the need for regular maintenance or rebuilds. To bolster the commitment to durability, all Wavetrac® differentials come with a transferable limited lifetime warranty.

For those seeking additional technical insights, comprehensive information on the Wavetrac® Differential can be found at this link: Wavetrac Technical Information.

It's important to note that the Wavetrac® differential is compatible with gear ratios of 3.15 and higher.

Important Note for Bolt Kits:

For vehicles equipped with a welded ring gear, the installation of this differential necessitates the removal, drilling, and installation of the welded ring gear from your stock differential. A Bolt Kit ES4368731 is an essential component for installing the ring gear onto the new differential. We strongly recommend consulting with a professional machine shop before purchasing this item and the necessary hardware kit. Please be aware that no technical drawings or instructions are provided, underscoring the importance of verifying compatibility and ensuring correct installation with your chosen machine shop.

It's crucial to be aware that no refunds or replacements will be offered if the differential has been installed or machined, or in the event of incorrect ring gear installation or differential failure due to improper installation.

Upgrade the holding power of your clutch with the Clutch Masters FX250 clutch kit.

FX250 (Stage II)

• Extra long life street system
• Holding capacity 70% over stock
• Heavy-Duty reinforced pressure plate
• Rigid organic/fiber tough disc

All Clutch Masters clutch kits come complete with:

• Pressure Plate
• Clutch Disc
• Throw-out Bearing
• Pilot Bearing or Bushing
• Alignment Tool

Fitment in following BMWs:
E46 BMW - Non-M submodels, For vehicles with 5 speed transmissions only. Fits 325i/Ci models with a production date up to 03/2003.
Z3 BMW - Non-M submodels,  ACT recommends upgrading to the E36 M3 Slave cylinder for best clutch operation.

Tired of dealing with excess shifter slop and a mushy shifter? The Turner Shifter Rebuild & Upgrade Kits will restore your shifter's crisp feel and eliminate excessive movement that develops over time with wear. Included in this kit are all the common wear components and upgraded bushings that will give you a tighter shifting feel than traditional rubber bushings and will resist wear significantly longer.

This kit is perfect to restore your driving pleasure and will be the last shifter rebuild you will ever need!

See the included components under Kit Contents below.

Your rear differential is indirectly connected to your right foot through the engine and driveline, and connected to the seat of your pants through the chassis. Soft factory rubber differential bushings absorb vibrations between chassis and differential, providing comfort and softness in both of these connections.

Enter ECS Tuning's In-House Engineered Performance Polyurethane Differential Bushings. By eliminating the deflection factory rubber bushings permit, the connection between your right foot (and your seat) to the wheels is improved. Removal of this slop allows for crisper power transfer from differential to wheels, which means better throttle control while carving a canyon road, drag racing, sliding the rear end out, or just driving to work. This is achieved without the harshness or vibration associated with delrin or solid differential mounts.

Featuring a tough 88A durometer polyurethane and Black anodized 6061-T6 aluminum Sleeve, our Performance Polyurethane Differential Bushings are more resistant to chemicals, ozone degradation, road salt, and general wear and tear than factory rubber bushings, resulting in a longer service life.

Performance clutch installation kit includes everything you need for a stage one clutch upgrade. Dampened Disc version.

• FX400 (Stage 4)

• High performance street system

• Holding capacity 70% over stock

• Heavy-Duty reinforced pressure plate

• Hi-Leverage™ pressure ring design

• Sprung hub/cushioned disc

• Steel-backed 6-Puck Ceramic Sprung Disc friction material

Fitment in following BMWs:
E46 BMW - Non-M submodels, For vehicles with 5 speed transmissions only. Fits 325i/Ci models with a production date up to 03/2003.
Z3 BMW - Non-M submodels,  ACT recommends upgrading to the E36 M3 Slave cylinder for best clutch operation.