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BMW E46 gearbox

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:22 pm
by DaveEFI
I drove a pretty tatty high miles BMW 330 E46 (IIRC) from about 2000 the other day. And the 5 speed box impressed. Light and positive change, and syncro still very strong at approaching 200,000 miles.

What make of box is it - and is it one which could be fitted to an RV8? I'd guess they are fairly plentiful in scrap yards.

E46 gearbox

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:21 pm
by Wilts289
I run a tatty E46 325 which has pretty much the same gearbox, and I agree with your comments. The downside is that mine needed a new clutch at 130,000 and as it is the Dual Mass Flywheel type it a pain (and relativity expensive) as if you change the clutch you really need to change the flywheel as well.

Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:56 pm
by Rossco
It'll be a ZF for certain but IIRC it has a built in bell housing which could complicate a swap.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2017 1:52 am
by garrycol
I thought BMW ran Getrag manual gearboxes.

Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:22 am
by Rossco
You'll see both in BMW's. In my opinion the ZF is the better box.

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:32 am
by SuperV8
The 5 speed looks like ZF
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-transmision ... 461?_ul=CR

OE 23007503993
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=23_0121

The 6 speed looks like Getrag GS6-37BZ/DZ
Both have integral bellhousings
Tom.

Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:27 am
by SuperV8
Actually looking at this info looks like they both do both 5 and 6 speeds!


GS6-37BZ (new designation according to BMW Group Standard GS 90007)
G drive
S Transmission type. S = Manual transmission. A = Automatic transmission
6 Number of forward gears
- = Standard with manual gearshift. HP = Hydraulic planetary gear
37 Transmission type. 26 = D-transmission. 31 = C-transmission. 39 = F-transmission. 37 = H-transmission. 53 = G-transmission
B Gear set. B = Petrol/gasoline gear ratio. D = Diesel gear ratio
Z Code letter of transmission manufacturer. G = Getrag. Z = ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen)

BMW designation.---- Manufacturer-----Manufacturer designation-------Remark
----S5D 200G-------------Getrag------------B transmission (220/5)
----S5D 200G-------------Getrag------------B transmission (221/5)-------for M41 engine only
----S5D 250G-------------Getrag------------B transmission (220/5)-------Reinforced design
----S5D 260Z-------------ZF-----------------C-transmission (S5-31 D)----for M51 engine only
----S5D 280Z-------------ZF-----------------C-transmission (S5-31)
----S5D 310Z-------------ZF-----------------C-transmission (S5-31)-------up to 9.95
----S5D 320Z-------------ZF-----------------C-transmission (S5-31)-------from 9.95 (reinforced design)
----GS5S31BZ(SMG)-----ZF-----------------C transmission SMG
----GS5-39DZ-------------ZF-----------------F transmission
----S6S 420G-------------Getrag------------D-transmission (226/6)
----S6S 420G(SMG)------Getrag------------D transmission SMG
----S6S 560G-------------Getrag------------E-transmission (286/6)
----GS6-37BZ-------------ZF-----------------H-transmission
----GS6S37BZ(SMG)-----ZF-----------------H-transmission
----GS6-37DZ-------------ZF-----------------H-transmission
----GS6-37BG-------------Getrag------------H-transmission
----GS6-53BZ-------------ZF-----------------G-transmission
----GS6-53DZ-------------ZF-----------------G-transmission
----GS6-17BG-------------Getrag------------I-transmission