Hi All,
I believe the coupe I recently purchased has a reinforced differential bracket. If I'm right, the first owner of this car originally from Sydney, Australia has provided me with a very pleasant surprise.
Long story short, I test drove this car twice in November 09 before heading from my University in Melbourne overseas for a six month sabbatical. I did not buy it then. The price was too high until February when the seller re-listed it for a more reasonable amount. I called him from Indonesia, we agreed on a fair price, and we settled that week. A friend picked up the car and parked in my garage where it sat on jacks waiting for me to return. I just got home 3 weeks ago and have been 'getting to know' it with great pleasure ever since. (My previous car was a Z3 3.0i Roadster)
Here she is on a recent trip to the Dandenong Ranges...a stretch of beautiful hills and valleys in Victoria, Australia.
After unpacking my suitcases, I also unpacked an OEM differential wrapped up in some oily rags. The seller had put it in the boot but forgot to mention it in the sale. Forum member C_W helped me determine that the first owner from Sydney had installed a 'sprightly' 3.64 differential...something I was not aware of back in November during my brief test drives. I also found out I have H and R adjustable shocks all round....nice!
Yesterday, I put the car up on jacks, changed my oil, and studied the underside more carefully. It appears there is a large, thick, chunk of metal cut-to-form and attached to the differential block.
As far as I am aware, this is not OEM
However, it seems that my differential bracket is in good shape.
I looked closely but found no cracks or tears, despite its flimsy appearance compared to another bracket I found on the other side of the differential.
On the other side of the diff I found this other bracket circled in yellow:
Above the muffler it seems to be welded to the frame somehow. Reminds me of the Randy Forbes design.
The two upper branches of its 'Y form' are welded perhaps to the subfloor?
If this is a reinforced differential bracket, then I have purchased an MCoupe with all the work done! As mentioned before, I bought the car when I was not actually in the country. I essentially went into the purchase not knowing whether or not the notorious 'spot welds' and diff bracket problems were indeed rectified or not.
I was seriously dreading today's close examination. But I am relieved to find no bracket damage, and indeed what appears to be an already reinforced differential.
Hope this is the case and any comments welcome.
I believe the coupe I recently purchased has a reinforced differential bracket. If I'm right, the first owner of this car originally from Sydney, Australia has provided me with a very pleasant surprise.
Long story short, I test drove this car twice in November 09 before heading from my University in Melbourne overseas for a six month sabbatical. I did not buy it then. The price was too high until February when the seller re-listed it for a more reasonable amount. I called him from Indonesia, we agreed on a fair price, and we settled that week. A friend picked up the car and parked in my garage where it sat on jacks waiting for me to return. I just got home 3 weeks ago and have been 'getting to know' it with great pleasure ever since. (My previous car was a Z3 3.0i Roadster)
Here she is on a recent trip to the Dandenong Ranges...a stretch of beautiful hills and valleys in Victoria, Australia.
After unpacking my suitcases, I also unpacked an OEM differential wrapped up in some oily rags. The seller had put it in the boot but forgot to mention it in the sale. Forum member C_W helped me determine that the first owner from Sydney had installed a 'sprightly' 3.64 differential...something I was not aware of back in November during my brief test drives. I also found out I have H and R adjustable shocks all round....nice!
Yesterday, I put the car up on jacks, changed my oil, and studied the underside more carefully. It appears there is a large, thick, chunk of metal cut-to-form and attached to the differential block.
As far as I am aware, this is not OEM
However, it seems that my differential bracket is in good shape.
I looked closely but found no cracks or tears, despite its flimsy appearance compared to another bracket I found on the other side of the differential.
On the other side of the diff I found this other bracket circled in yellow:
Above the muffler it seems to be welded to the frame somehow. Reminds me of the Randy Forbes design.
The two upper branches of its 'Y form' are welded perhaps to the subfloor?
If this is a reinforced differential bracket, then I have purchased an MCoupe with all the work done! As mentioned before, I bought the car when I was not actually in the country. I essentially went into the purchase not knowing whether or not the notorious 'spot welds' and diff bracket problems were indeed rectified or not.
I was seriously dreading today's close examination. But I am relieved to find no bracket damage, and indeed what appears to be an already reinforced differential.
Hope this is the case and any comments welcome.
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