I had this option on my SDV8 as it seemed good value, 'For refined traction and cornering stability'

Well I've had limited slip diffs before and they worked well in mud and snow and maybe on wet roads.

I assume this system is electronically called into use under difficult road conditions, driver speed error, or in mud/snow/sand.

It shows as three functional Diffs on the monitor (Front, Centre, Rear). So in a field slipping about, I can see via graphics it works.

So what felt benefit does it supply, that would be over and above the standard differential when on road?

I have had the rear tyres squeal a little on some sharp bends and wonder if it interferes with ride quality.

Is this a useful option worth having or not

Any thoughts.....

I took this option too and don't really know what difference it has made to cornering over vehicles which don't have it!

Should help to tighten the line under power.

It's great off road. All FFRRs have a centre diff. However, if one front or rear tyre looses traction, it will spin while t's mate just sits there, doing nothing. This diff will lock automatically when it senses wheel spin, providing drive to BOTH rear wheels. You don't need it often, but it's great when you need it. It's a LOT more user friendly than winches, sand ladders, etc. I have one on my L322. It's not a common option, but I think it's standard on the Supercharged.

The torsen torque splitting center diff can distribute power between 65% front, 35% rear to 35% front, 65% rear, the axle diffs then take over, if one wheel starts spinning the TC cuts in and brakes that wheel sending power to the one that has grip.... result..... you move again....

With the locking rear diff the power has to go to both wheels so you don't have to rely on the TC to get you out of trouble, it will work quicker and smoother than the TC system....

Twice now I have been totally stuck in mine.... one front and rear wheel start spinning so the TC brakes them and then the other two start spinning because although they have more grip the FF is on such a gradient that the grip is insufficient to get forward motion... it then just sits and swaps spinning wheels side to side, turn off DSC which includes the TC and you can spin them all which sometimes works...

With the locking rear diff you would stand more chance of getting moving but not much more....

Can't see it would help much on the road unless you have problems with the inside wheel spinning up on exciting corners...


As an aside I would ask all future owners to ask for it on their new FF's.... give it 10-12 years and I maybe off roading your car and I'd like it......

I did look at swapping diffs on mine but would have to do both to get a locking rear as the ratios are different on the later ones so it would be very expensive for little improvement.... Pete
I now have permission from the boss to use Y.O.L.O. Enjoy life
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
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Sorry to dig this thread up, but am I right in thinking, this option on TOPIX basically means no active rear diff;

REAR AXLE OPEN DIFF

Thanks

I have the active locking diff and it says:
REAR AXLE ACTIVE LOCKING DIFF


However, I was under the impression that SDV8 had the active diff as standard... in fact I have just checked my MY2017 brochure and it says it is standard. So we are none the wiser right now! L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso

Perhaps if you say what vehicle you are looking up on Topix...  L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso

DangerMouseUK wrote:

Sorry to dig this thread up, but am I right in thinking, this option on TOPIX basically means no active rear diff;

REAR AXLE OPEN DIFF

DangerMouseUK wrote:

Sorry to dig this thread up, but am I right in thinking, this option on TOPIX basically means no active rear diff;

REAR AXLE OPEN DIFF

Thanks

Sorry yes its a SCV8/P525

And yes had it confirmed that there's no active diff!

Apparently its quite nice to have on the SCV8 ! Strange how it comes as standard on the SDV8 and not the SCV8!!!!

Not a standard fitting on the SDV8 either chaps.....

Just looked at mine on topix - open diff There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
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Standard in SDV8 from MY2017 onwards.

If you have plenty of torque I think it’s worth having. According to 4x4 Info, mine lights up like a Christmas tree in even the most mundane driving, it’s obviously doing something to keep things serene. I remember in my old L320 3.0 TDV6 I would get the sensation of four wheel spin on full throttle from a junction whilst turning. Undramatic but a noticeable wiggle. In my P400e I get significantly more urge out of a junction and absolutely no sense of any loss of contact with the tarmac whatsoever. Some of that might be the active diff.

In short, I am glad I dropped a few hundred on this, it makes me feel good, even if it will never really pay for itself on the supermarket run.  L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso