Cwc1jz

Good evening MB members,

I recently purchased a 2008 C63 AMG and am somewhat new to the Mercedes world. I love the car and am already beginning to research some modifications I would like to add. One of the first mods I have been looking into is adding a Wavetrac limited slip differential.

I am 90% sure that my car does not have the OEM limited slip differential but am trying to nail it down for sure before purchasing the Wavetrac. When accelerating out of a sharp corner the car feels like it has an open diff. As well, the dealer sent me a copy of the option list which did not include any LSD.

As one final test, I did a small burnout to confirm my suspension. To my surprise, both wheels spun and left 2 dark skidmarks. See the attached photo.

One thing I notice in the photo was that the inside tire mark seems to stay consistently dark while the outside fades around the corner. Is it possible for an open diff to spin both tires from a stop or would this appear to be an OEM LSD? Are the OEM LSD prone to opening as they age or wear out?

It obviously spun both wheels from a stop.

Notice how the outside tire mark drastically lightens as the car turns while the inside mark stays dark.

The option list on my car does not mention the p30 package nor a LSD. I am assuming my brakes were painted red? I’m not sure.


What do you think?

Phil_T

They still do a normal proper burn out with open diff.

roadkillrob

If it doesn't have 471 on the option sheet it doesn't have a LSD, an open diff will still so what you are seeing, best test if you need something more than the option list is jack the car up and turn one back wheel and see if the other wheel turns in the same direction or goes doesn;t more turns backwards, or leave one wheel on the ground, jack up one side and see if you can turn it with the other one on the ground.

Dr.Speedfellow

My 507 had open factory diff and could easily burn off both tires. If you don't have a LSD don't sweat it there are better aftermarket options than the factory lsd, from wavetrac which is decent and pretty affordable to OS Giken TCD which is probably the best.
also for a few hundred bucks extra if you are already putting an lsd in,, you might want to gather the parts for the passive cooling diff cover, rectifier and rectifier mounting bolts that came on euro and Australian models and go ahead and add those since your diff cover will be off to put in the lsd anyway. If you search my old posts you will find that info.

Mort

The red calipers where not an option on a 2008 or 2009 and likely painted by the owner at some point.

hachiroku

W204 C63's can leave both tracks and also drift to a point without an LSD which is nearly impossible with a W211 E63.

sunnys14

Is that with ESP off?

ItalianJoe1

Yes, an open diff still sends torque across both sides when there is equal friction on the tires. Where the LDS helps, is when one wheel loses grip, the power still splits, as opposed to an open diff where all the power now goes the path of least resistance and spins that wheel harder, and the grippy side less. This is why an open diff will light the inside tire on a corner vs an LSD.

lekoza

Sunnys14, Pretty sure your ESP is not working if you can do that while it's on ;-)

Phil_T

Of course, like said above if you can do that with ESP off something is wrong with the car.

Cwc1jz

I appreciate all of your info on this. Looks like I’ll be purchasing a Wavetrac sometime in the near future.

Seems crazy to me that someone would order one of these cars without choosing the LSD option. But then again that may just be me 🤣

Thanks everyone!

roadkillrob

What's crazy is that it wasn't just standard on the car, should never have been an option in my book, 450+ hp rear wheel drive and Mercedes thinks all that power getting to one wheel is good enough!

Cammer88

I put an OEM LSD in mine.. what a world of a difference over open diff. The car is so much more fun, and predictable.