Need Opinion of Wavetrac LSD and Advice for Parts for W212
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 394
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2013 E63 P30, 2010 GL550
Need Opinion of Wavetrac LSD and Advice for Parts for W212
My RWD vehicle does not have LSD option 471. If not careful, plenty of ESP blinking and bogged down action. So I am interested in LSD to address the traction issue during power turns and hard acceleration on street, I realize specialty tires may be a more efficient way to solve this, but I do not intend to go this route. My research points to Wavetrac as a solid choice for aftermarket LSD. Here are a few questions to the forum:
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- Does anyone have first-hand experience with Wavetrac LSD in W212? Please share your opinion of it.
- Can anyone share the bearing part numbers for Wavetrac 48.309.185WK? Sadly, product descriptions state Timken parts, but no Mercedes p/n.
- How many bolts one needs for the gear ring? I suspect 12, but wanted to confirm.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 394
Likes: 155
2013 E63 P30, 2010 GL550
By the way, I carefully verified that LSD option 471 was stand-alone for MY12-13 E63, and taken out of (not part of) the traditional understanding of Performance Package option P30. From MY14+, LSD option 471 was included as standard in E63S cars. It also appears that Mercedes removed Carbon Fiber Engine Cover option B14 from P30 and made it stand-alone. This is more than a fair trade IMHO. This going back and forth on LSD is crazy and hopefully remains a stable decision in the future top-shelf AMG S-models in the North American market.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 693
Likes: 152
From: USA
m157 SL63
I purchased the same Wavetrac LSD for my RWD m157 SL63 (w/o performance package). I had Eurocharged install it though, so I don't know about the more technical parts questions you are asking about. I had the LSD installed almost immediately after the car purchase, so I don't have extensive before & after for a comparison.
All that said, it seems to work well. I usually run a 660whp/740wtq tune and the combination of the LSD & good tires (295 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S) means I rarely get any ESP intervention.
All that said, it seems to work well. I usually run a 660whp/740wtq tune and the combination of the LSD & good tires (295 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S) means I rarely get any ESP intervention.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 394
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2013 E63 P30, 2010 GL550
I plan to tackle the LSD project DIY in my garage. My research discovered good information from the W211 forum where several folks documented their experience with similar setups. It will take me some time to source all necessary parts and fluid as I shop around, and shipping can take weeks. Wish I had a lift... Open diff has no place in high performance premium vehicles, especially RWD cars. I am baffled how any manufacturer can get away with an Open diff in a $100K+ automobile. Probably customer ignorance.
It seems clear that any LSD is better than Open. Add electronic nannies, and the chasm grows wider. However, there is a degree of effectiveness among LSDs. This is where Quaife, Wavetrac, and other designs compete in a specific application. I do not think there is yet one ultimate LSD product best in all conditions and for all requirements. And so to make the optimal choice, one shall understand not only their specific traction problems to solve, but also merits of LSD types and implementations. All of this may be obvious to many forum users, but it helped me to organize information not only from marketing videos, but also independent expert reviews and real life feedback. Here are some of my considerations:
It seems clear that any LSD is better than Open. Add electronic nannies, and the chasm grows wider. However, there is a degree of effectiveness among LSDs. This is where Quaife, Wavetrac, and other designs compete in a specific application. I do not think there is yet one ultimate LSD product best in all conditions and for all requirements. And so to make the optimal choice, one shall understand not only their specific traction problems to solve, but also merits of LSD types and implementations. All of this may be obvious to many forum users, but it helped me to organize information not only from marketing videos, but also independent expert reviews and real life feedback. Here are some of my considerations:
- High torque makes wheels lose grip too easily even in a straight line and on dry pavement. With Open diff, the spinning wheel receives most all torque. That wheel must regain traction quickly. This is done by slowing the wheel and reducing torque (i.e., applying brakes and throttling engine). Wasted energy, lost acceleration, and risk of lost vehicle control is significant.
- In turns and cornering, Open diff transfers most torque to the outside wheel. Risk of oversteer and lost traction rises significantly. This is undesirable not only because of the lower speed/power threshold during cornering, but also dire consequences of losing traction.
- Going over bumps and ramps in corners lifts the driven wheel(s) intermittently forcing torque waste and reduced acceleration.
- Tire warming burnouts are not good with Open diffs. Also, drifting is complicated and less controllable. This is not a big point for me, but maybe to someone.
- Unless disabled, all of the above causes electronic counter-measures to engage by selectively applying brakes and throttling engine to regain traction and ensure safety.
- We can not leverage the vehicle power fully with suboptimal traction. As we invest in power and torque of the platform, this problem becomes more profound.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 324
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From: Wichita
Plays With Cars
My C63 had P030, my E63 has P030, and my SL63 does not. It makes a substantial difference in the car's willingness to rotate when cornering, I agree it's a must have. I have been eyeing the Wavetrac for my SL63, so I'm interested to see what feedback you receive.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 394
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2013 E63 P30, 2010 GL550
I found a lot more LSD feedback shared in the W211 forum, but coming from 6 years in a W211 (M156) myself, I can attest that the W212 (M157) is incomparable in handling dynamics and power. Basically, my RWD vehicle spins in dry conditions let alone wet surface on partial throttle. I quickly realized that no matter how much more power I add through mods and/or tuning, I get bogged down because of traction-related problems. I decided to take advantage of good deals available now and started on the Wavetrac LSD path. I might write a DIY article in the end.
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