E36 LSD vs Traction Control

Hey everybody, I have been looking into getting a weekend warrior/track toy and I have settled on some form of six cylinder three series, but I'm honestly not sure whether I want an E30 or E36. I have just been looking for good examples of either.

Anyway, from the research I have done so far I gather that the E36 had an LSD as an option on OBD1 cars but after 95 it was basically replaced by traction control. So would an LSD come on all iS models and be optional on the 4 doors through 95, then all cars were either open diff or used a traction control system after that?

Also, anyone who has driven both feel free to share your experience! Naturally I think I would rather go with the mechanical option over the electronic wizardry, but who knows.

Unless you're ruleset restricted, I'd look for the cleanest E36 you can find and then add the LSD - you can usually find one for a 2-400, and it's an easy swap.

The 96-99 E36 M3s had LSD with defeatable ASC+T (anti skid and traction control. On these cars, the electronic nanny is too intrusive by itself although you can have quite a bit of fun with it activated in the snow with a set of snow tyres. The ASC+T on a car without a mechanical LSD would not give you joy even though it is defeatable.

However for any type of track activity the mechanical LSD is a MUST.

These cars are so old now that it is hard to find one that has been unmolested so regardless of factory spec, you have to check to see that the car has a mechanical LSD.

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I hate the asc. I forgot to turn it off before my last run at scca nationals. It cuts the power a lot before you get even close to wheel spin.

I'd just add the LSD, the ASC works by basically slamming shut the throttle body. The good news is that you can fully defeat it.

I figured it was something along those lines. Thanks for the input!

1manwolfpack wrote: Anyway, from the research I have done so far I gather that the E36 had an LSD as an option on OBD1 cars but after 95 it was basically replaced by traction control.

Yes and no.. early 96 was the last of the LSDs in non-M cars. So you CAN get an LSD in an OBDII car... but you have to do some searching. You are basically looking for a "winter package" car with Heated seats and no ASC. I think somewhere around april 96 is the cut off as my feb 96 build 318ti has the heated seats and an LSD (and no traction control)

and yes.. the traction control on these cars is really bad. It is basically a seperate throttlebody that closes as it senses wheel spin. I have heard of E36s stuck in the snow because of it as it would not allow anything above an idle due to the wheels spinning.

Traction control, in any electronic form, is the work of the devil. It must be killed with fire.

"I already have traction control. Thats what the 3 pedals are for."

Hmm. I've had 3 E36's w/traction control. I find it remarkably effective, and I turn it off when I'm not just daily driving it. It's fully defeatable - I'd hate it if it wasn't.

Of course, I suppose that's not very GRM.

Let me rephrase. Death to all electronics on a car, death to progress, Blah blah blah.