Are E39 & E46 M-model diffs interchangeable?

Generodis · 2025-10-10T18:39:23-0400

I saw several threads re lower ratio diff swap from E46 M3 to E39 M5.

is it plug n play or some mods are required to fit?

I want to go from stock 3.15 to M3 stock 3.62

If you have experience with swapping diffs btwn models please comment

Ferris · 2025-10-10T19:59:42-0400

Both are 210 cases but you may need to swap covers

Generodis · 2025-10-10T20:02:42-0400

Sorry, not sure what that means

Sailor24 · 2025-10-10T22:22:37-0400

never mind.

blackxs · 2025-10-10T22:30:36-0400

The diffs themselves are not interchangeable even if you swapped covers and I don't think the internals are either.

E39 V8's used a pretty unique 215 size AFAIK. Basically nothing interchanges with them.

Ferris · 2025-10-11T06:46:05-0400

blackxs said:
The diffs themselves are not interchangeable even if you swapped covers and I don't think the internals are either.

E39 V8's used a pretty unique 215 size AFAIK. Basically nothing interchanges with them.

You know after you mention it you're right about cases I was thinking about the internals.

Edit :
by internal I mean the ring pinion and bearing sets.

Are E39 & E46 M-model diffs interchangeable?

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