FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

[Mike W.]

Will a Getrag 260 trans fit a M30b34? Sorry new to transmission swaps.

Read the first three lines of the FAQ, there's two different 260s, and two different variations of one of those. Without additional info the answer is maybe.

[wkohler]

Well, it will fit. Just depends on what clutch you use. Also, if the M30B34 is Motronic 1.0, then whatever the 260 is needs to have the sensor holes in the bellhousing.

[Jeremy]

Well, it will fit.

Not if it's from an m20 car.

[wkohler]

Good point.

[ovide]

E28 Transmissions, an overview

4HP22-EH[4 speed automatic, electronically controlled. Very similar mechanically to the 4HP22, but with solenoids making the shifts instead of hydraulics. Optional on M30 cars starting in '86.

Maybe not in the US, but for sure in the UK, the M20 powered E28's got the 4E-HP-22 optional for the 525e (US 528e)
Very interesting combination that I drove in two different cars.

[Cooperman]

I found some pictures on a couple other sites that help identify the 265/5 vs. the 265/6.

Along with having the 262 stamping but with 5 forward gears (as opposed to 4 forward gears in the 262) , the 265/5 also has some differences in the casing from the 265/6.

[kickassiguana]

Will an engine for an automatic transmission fit on a car with a manual transmission? (Specifically the m30b34)

[1st 5er]

Will an engine for an automatic transmission fit on a car with a manual transmission? (Specifically the m30b34)

Yes.

[Dub-Nub]

Will an engine for an automatic transmission fit on a car with a manual transmission? (Specifically the m30b34)

yes. engines are not transmission specific.

[Mike W.]

Will an engine for an automatic transmission fit on a car with a manual transmission? (Specifically the m30b34)

You may need to remove a bushing in the end of the crankshaft and will need to install a pilot bearing, but other than that an emphatic yes. And that's just a detail item.

[tig]

Will an engine for an automatic transmission fit on a car with a manual transmission? (Specifically the m30b34)

Yes, but only if you search for "5 speed swap".

[LeiseyJr]

I might have useful information. The Getrag 260/6 and Getrag 260/5(528e) look to be interchangeable. For my swap we needed a Getrag 260/6 since I got a blown free one. My father and I decided to see what the change was between the 260's (my eta had a 260/5).
(rear case is done with the gears assembly still attached)

Our Research shows:
Rear case #'s are identical
Shift forks have same #'s
The gear layout from looking with your eye appear to be the same
M30 Front Case+M30 Rear Case=Input Shaft Length of: 5/8"
M30 Front Case + M20 Rear Case=Input Shaft Length of 1/2"
So it looks like they changed the input shaft length probably due to motor length or the difference in bell Housing
M20's Bell Housing is 1 inch longer then the M30's.
M30 Front Case bolts up to M20's rear case
Input Shaft bearings are identical(according to FAG part #)

Our Conclusion:
It looks like we can Frankenstein our M30 Front Case+M20 Rear case and have a Getrag 260/65 and have a good working transmission. The only difference in the 260's are bell housing and input shaft length.

Edit: It works!

[1st 5er]

When installing a slushbox,
mount the TC to the tranny first,
then install. DAMHIK

[1st 5er]

P.S.

Make sure, on the tranny side,
to use the proper 7 or 8 pin valve body.
The car's harness will lie to you.

[Aaron from Aus]

Also, from my understanding, do not let the 4hp22 idle in neutral for extended periods or it destroys the transmission. Same goes for long reversing.

I have a very good ZF manual on the gearbox, i will post it up for everyone DL if they need it. but ill do it later.. not sure where to host it ATM either..

[Owndapwn]

[*]G260/6

• Used on '86-'88 535’s and E34 535s, but they may not have the flywheel sensor holes drilled out. Identify it by the fins on the bottom of the transmission and non-removable case. Overdrive 5th.

[*]G265/6

• Used on '82 528e and '85 535i. Also on '85 6/735, '80-'81 E12, '81-'82 6/733s and E30 M3s. Considered the strongest transmission available for E28’s. Is easily identified by a removable bell housing which allows use on M10, M20 and M30 engines, as long as the correct bell housing is used or reused. All except M3s have a sheet metal shifter support. It’s use in '85 M30 powered cars was reportedly dictated by the short life of the 260/5 in those cars. Overdrive 5th.

So, I have a 1986 535i. Production date 10/85.
Am I, in this situation, considered an '85 or '86?
RealOEM seems to suggest 260/6, but it also says the 260/6 was implemented "From 10/85," so that's close enough to be hopeful for.

[Mike W.]

[*]G260/6

• Used on '86-'88 535’s and E34 535s, but they may not have the flywheel sensor holes drilled out. Identify it by the fins on the bottom of the transmission and non-removable case. Overdrive 5th.

[*]G265/6

• Used on '82 528e and '85 535i. Also on '85 6/735, '80-'81 E12, '81-'82 6/733s and E30 M3s. Considered the strongest transmission available for E28’s. Is easily identified by a removable bell housing which allows use on M10, M20 and M30 engines, as long as the correct bell housing is used or reused. All except M3s have a sheet metal shifter support. It’s use in '85 M30 powered cars was reportedly dictated by the short life of the 260/5 in those cars. Overdrive 5th.

So, I have a 1986 535i. Production date 10/85.
Am I, in this situation, considered an '85 or '86?
RealOEM seems to suggest 260/6, but it also says the 260/6 was implemented "From 10/85," so that's close enough to be hopeful for.

I would strongly expect it to be a 260/6 given the 86 model year, but I can't guarantee it. But especially with a 30 year old car, crawl underneath and take a look.

[5timesturbo]

I have a G260/6 in a 88 535is. Can I use a clutch kit designed for an 88 M5...!???

[Karlkormann]

Are all of the clutches and maintenance parts for the M30/Manual transmission the same?

I'm doing a manual swap on an 87' 535is. I understand this car, if equipped with a manual was a Getrag 260. I've sourced a 265 (out of an 85' 535i) from a wrecking yard along with the drive line, flywheel, etc.

Do the cluctch assemblies interchange as well as trans seals and shifter bushings between the 260 and the 265?

[1st 5er]

Are all of the clutches and maintenance parts for the M30/Manual transmission the same?

I'm doing a manual swap on an 87' 535is. I understand this car, if equipped with a manual was a Getrag 260. I've sourced a 265 (out of an 85' 535i) from a wrecking yard along with the drive line, flywheel, etc.

Do the cluctch assemblies interchange as well as trans seals and shifter bushings between the 260 and the 265?

You should be good to go on everything else, but not 100% on the seals.

You'll need to source and weld in the rear console hanger,
or hack in a substitute.

[LeiseyJr]

Are all of the clutches and maintenance parts for the M30/Manual transmission the same?

I'm doing a manual swap on an 87' 535is. I understand this car, if equipped with a manual was a Getrag 260. I've sourced a 265 (out of an 85' 535i) from a wrecking yard along with the drive line, flywheel, etc.

Do the cluctch assemblies interchange as well as trans seals and shifter bushings between the 260 and the 265?

If you are going from G260 —-> G265 you need the G265 specific bellhousing, crossmember, trans mounts, shifter assembly and D/S. This will all bolt up with no modication. Flywheel, clutch, slave cylinder, T/O bearing is the same. Trans seal, as far as shifter seal interchange the rest of the seals I am unsure. The shift bushings do not interchange as G265 uses early style console shifter, unless you get the E30 M3 adapter thing to adapt later style shifter stuff to work on G265. I reccomend just getting all the 265 stuff if possible.

[harrypalmer]

Could I fit my failing E28 1986 Getrag 260/6 with a E34 1990 Getrag 260/6?

The housing numbers for the 1990 E34 transmission are:
Side casing # 260.0.1302.92
Rear case # 260.0.1060.92
Any insights and help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Jack

[Nebraska_e28]

Could I fit my failing E28 1986 Getrag 260/6 with a E34 1990 Getrag 260/6?

The housing numbers for the 1990 E34 transmission are:
Side casing # 260.0.1302.92
Rear case # 260.0.1060.92
Any insights and help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Jack

The short answer is yes. But this question would be better posted in a separate thread.

[harrypalmer]

Could I fit my failing E28 1986 Getrag 260/6 with a E34 1990 Getrag 260/6?

The housing numbers for the 1990 E34 transmission are:
Side casing # 260.0.1302.92
Rear case # 260.0.1060.92
Any insights and help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Jack

The short answer is yes. But this question would be better posted in a separate thread.

Well, first of all, thank you. This really helps me quite a lot. Secondly, it seemed appropriate to continue a thread on the same subject but I will do as you suggest and actually I did a few minutes ago. Thank you once more.

[Richardtoh]

Could some wise man help me?

I have a 1984 RHD Alpina B9 3.5 e28.

Was told that Alpina authorized Sytner of UK, Great Britain, to convert stock RHD 528i e28 to B9 spec. This was in 1984, when the 535i and M5 were not released yet.

I want to know the gearbox in the car and hopefully the rear diff as well.

The gearbox is a 5 speed, with reverse next to 1st. 5th gear is "out on a limb" to the right and forward.

Gearbox has markings "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3." Bellhousing is separate as described in 1st post.

Appreciate is some folks here could advise.

Thanks.

Richard

[Mike W.]

Could some wise man help me?

I have a 1984 RHD Alpina B9 3.5 e28.

Was told that Alpina authorized Sytner of UK, Great Britain, to convert stock RHD 528i e28 to B9 spec. This was in 1984, when the 535i and M5 were not released yet.

I want to know the gearbox in the car and hopefully the rear diff as well.

The gearbox is a 5 speed, with reverse next to 1st. 5th gear is "out on a limb" to the right and forward.

Gearbox has markings "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3." Bellhousing is separate as described in 1st post.

Appreciate is some folks here could advise.

Thanks.

Richard

Sounds like a Getrag 265/6, the overdrive 5 speed.

[Foonfer]

Almost THIRTEEN YEARS after the 1st post by Mike, but came here to say:

This post would be orders of magnitude better if there was an indication or cross-reference to the stamped numbers on each transmission's casting.

For instance the recent (?) post by Richartoh referring to a trans with casting numbers "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3".

Here's another: What if the casting numbers are "262.0.0510.90 and 225 and 2.3" - ????

[Mike W.]

Almost THIRTEEN YEARS after the 1st post by Mike, but came here to say:

This post would be orders of magnitude better if there was an indication or cross-reference to the stamped numbers on each transmission's casting.

For instance the recent (?) post by Richartoh referring to a trans with casting numbers "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3".

Here's another: What if the casting numbers are "262.0.0510.90 and 225 and 2.3" - ????

BMW may or may not have records of what serial number tranny went into what car, or what transmission it is, but if they do I have no access to that data. As far as the 262.0.0510.90 number, the .90 part at the end means it was revision .90. But the problem with the 262 numbers is they are casting number, and could apparently be machined to fit different variations or transmissions. 262 is a 4 speed, but 265's have a 262 casting number. Casting number, not part number. A 260/5 can fit either a M20 or M30 block, but one or the other, not both. Yes it's confusing which is why I tried to lay it all out.

[leeeveretI]

This is useful information

[tig]

This is what a G265/6 from a 1985 535i looks like:



[



This is what a G260/5 from an M20 E30 or '87-88 528e (aluminum shift console) looks like:






This is what a G260/6 from a 1987 535is looks like: