Rear diff bush

Peter1450

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Any Z Shed guys here advise me where to purchase one, just spend £400 with Cotswold on various parts for the rear end but they want £180 for the diff bush( gulp) I’m thinking that’s a bit strong?
 

Peter1450

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Thanks Scoob Just a slight difference lol, didn’t come up on my search when I was looking
 

Peter1450

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Just checked the part number on real OEM and it doesn’t match this one , mine’s coming up 33172228425, even on here lt lists at approximately $45!
 

Scooblitz

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Hi Peter

I would double check real oem and see if this part number supercedes the original.

When checking the listing on ebay it confirms z3 fitment from the drop boxes.

Installing this bush will require the diff off and to have it's casing tapped out.

I used the polybush for this one as its much easier to install.
 
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t-tony

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I would fit a poly bush myself. Cheaper and easier.

Tony.
 

ExMX5owner

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I found mine was in there solid, and no amount of persuasion could shift it without possibly damaging the casting, My procedure was loosen bolt take weight of car off bolt and remove, lift car off diff, remove diff cover, split bush casing with a hack saw, and it near falls out. Press in original part carefully, being mindful of orientation. Hydraulic press is useful here, with a bit of lube. Replace cover , new diff oil, lower car back onto diff and replace bolt. Well that's how I did, new fluids an all...
 

ExMX5owner

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Oh, an afterthought edit. Do not even worry about the hex socket drain and fill plugs, as soon as you take the cover off, its drained obviously, Just crack the fill plug after the cover is off, the drain plug is never disturbed... :thumbsup:.
 

Scooblitz

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Just checked the part number on real OEM and it doesn’t match this one , mine’s coming up 33172228425, even on here lt lists at approximately $45!
Just checked and it would seem the 3.0i has a different diff bush and the one at £38 isn't listed for the 3.0i. Its also £222 direct from BMW for listed 3.0i bush.

Polybush saves time and money.
 

Peter1450

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The rear ends in bits having a complete refresh so access isn’t an issue atm, just want to make sure I have the correct parts.
 

Peter1450

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Just nuts that two very similar parts can differ so much in price! Think I’m living in the past but just went to get my trailing arms , rear beam , springs and anti roll bar powder coated, quote was£350 Seems a lot to me , I d rather spend some time doing it myself!
 

Scooblitz

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I would suggest that is double what I paid for my beam, arms, chassis plates and anti rollbars to be done.

I would ask for a few quotes elsewhere as that's excessive. I sold chassis plates, beam, arms and anti roll bars after powder coating for £500 in the winter...
 

Pingu

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Any Z Shed guys here advise me where to purchase one, just spend £400 with Cotswold on various parts for the rear end but they want £180 for the diff bush( gulp) I’m thinking that’s a bit strong?
That's the correct price. BMW had to have some new ones made as they ran out of stock.

If it's a 2.8 or bigger, I'd bite the bullet and fit the BMW one. Anything less and I think the poly bush would be ok.

It needs to be compliant enough to protect your rear end 🤬 🤪
 

Peter1450

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Cheers Pingu Although not what I really wanted to hear, I’m a £1000 in and I still have a pile of rusty parts😂
 

Lee

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I would order that bush Peter, it's the same bush just some silly BMW marketing and re stocking going on.

They do the same with the shocks when they're the same.
 

Peter1450

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Thanks Lee, just to confirm you’re talking about the BMW direct link on eBay?
 
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Peter1450

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Just a quick update, after purchasing the bush from eBay which came from Park Lane BMW it looked completely different to the original . I ended up going Powerfex as it was cheap and easy to fit ( that alloy diff case looks very fragile to press the rubber bush in ) .
 

Matt Barnes

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Morning all... just coming across this thread as I'm about to drop my subframe. This may sound odd, but I follow DS3Shooter on Youtube (he's in Belgium)...and he said he had to replace his Diff bush with OEM, as racing Diff bushes or poly diff bush would fail the MoT. Not sure if anyone's experienced that here ?

cheers
 

t-tony

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A Bush is a Bush is a Bush.
As long as its in good condition and the housing is secure it does not matter in the slightest what it is made of. I think this guy is confused as the UK MOT criteria is aligned with the EU even after Brexit.

Tony.
 

Matt Barnes

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A Bush is a Bush is a Bush.
As long as its in good condition and the housing is secure it does not matter in the slightest what it is made of. I think this guy is confused as the UK MOT criteria is aligned with the EU even after Brexit.

Tony.
to be fair he couldn't understand it either...."but those are the rules"...this is a Belgian MoT by the way, not UK
 
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