Axle Lengths

[M42boy]

Okay, so I had to replace both rear half-shafts on my 318iS (the axles), so I went to the yard. I asked if he had any for a '91 318iS... Bobby at Strictly German said that while the stock 318 half-shafts may work fine on this car, they are actually longer than those on a 325, and since I'm running a medium case differential out of a 325 auto, I should run the appropriate 325 axles.

I wouldn't have believed it myself, but he put two side by side and yup, the 318 half shafts are longer!

Anyways, I went up one weekend and got one from a 325iX, and then another out of a 325i cabrio. When I had them side by side, I realized they two are different lengths!

See picture below. The upper one is out of a '90 325iX, and the bottom one is out of the same year (I think) 325i cabriolet.

http://www.s-cars.org/postnuke/modules/gallery/albums/danh/IMG_5452.jpg

Here's a closup of the ends.

http://www.s-cars.org/postnuke/modules/gallery/albums/danh/IMG_5453.jpg

For some reason, I guess the iX one is a little longer. So, I need to return it and pull the other one out of the cabrio to get a matching set.

[Berlin]

what, thats crazy, i measured the distance flange to flange on both the medium case and the small case and its the same! look in this pic

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6152&postcount=11

[e9nine]

Ha ha I was just thinking about this issue of yours. Call Bobby and get him to exchange it for you. The iX ones are NOT compatible with non-iX cars. I would assume he would know better that the drivetrain on that unicorn is not the same as all others. We share the same parts as the 325i/m3 and not the iX

Part # 33211226901 is for the ABS equipped cars. G.luck

[2002maniac]

:confused:

That cant be right. 325e/i/s and 318is axles are identical. I have an axle off a 325e onmy car at the moment. It measure exactly the same as the one that came off.

[e9nine]

:confused:

That cant be right. 325e/i/s and 318is axles are identical. I have an axle off a 325e onmy car at the moment. It measure exactly the same as the one that came off.

Yeah in his case he has a 325i and 325iX combo hence the difference. No need to be :confused: everything is kosher ladies and germs :)

[M42boy]

Yeah in his case he has a 325i and 325iX combo hence the difference. No need to be :confused: everything is kosher ladies and germs :)
You are right! I did some more investigative work. The 325's and 318's are indeed the same.

The 325 rear axle is PN# 33 21 1 226 901 (Same as 318iS)
The 325iX rear axle is PN# 33 21 1 225 893

The iX axle is going back for the other 325 axle on Saturday morning. :D