3.64 differential swap in pre-LCI 3.0 5MT

[e39_touring]

I was getting ready to order parts to do an oil pan gasket job and swap in these 3.64 front & rear diffs that I've had for a while, but I'm running into something that changes my understanding about the differential swaps that I've seen in other threads.

Does anyone have a pre-LCI differential (actually, the stub axles) from a manual trans car lying about to take a few measurements?

Here's what I (thought I) know going into the swap:

1) front differentials are drop-in, plug and play - no differences there
2) rear diff stub axles have a 94mm bolt circle on the manual vs. 86mm for the auto/4.4 cars so axles are not interchangeable
3) both the pre-LCI manual and all 4.4L cars share the same rear differential case
4) post-LCI manual cars have the large differential case

Now looking at realoem, I see that the axle seal and snap ring are different sizes for pre-LCI manual vs auto/4.4L cars (#13 in this diagram https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_1013)

I was always under the impression that on the small-case differentials the diameter and splines of the stub axles were the same (i.e. you could swap differentials if you use your old stub axles). But, this looks to not be the case. I would have to swap to the smaller stubs and axles of the automatic cars if I were to perform this swap. I know a few of you have done this, and I hope you can clarify for me!