Transmissions from Metric Mechanic?

[digger]

new / refurbished bmw sports boxes are $5500

[Bnardog]

The catch is simple: E30 part prices have been going only up. Buy while you can.
But there are also newer ZF transmissions that can be used. That sets a price ceiling.

Wanganstyle was ostracized for saying that it would cost him more to buy parts for a proper rebuild than buy a rebuilt transmission from BMW.
https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...spec-e30/page9

Very interesting read. I agree with him prices on parts are increasing. I think my best bet is to at least have a repair shop open and inspect my trans and see if its worth getting parts for. If a couple parts are only needed, then I can save more buying the new parts and paying for labor. Otherwise, I'll buy a rebuild from BMW.

Also, buying a rebuild from BMW gives the sense of confidence that everything should be good whereas a repair shop inspection can miss something and I can see further issues arise in the future. Decisions... haha

[Vincenze]

Yeah it almost sounds too good to be true haha I'm thinking if there's a catch or something to it.

The catch is simple: E30 part prices have been going only up. Buy while you can.
But there are also newer ZF transmissions that can be used. That sets a price ceiling.

Wanganstyle was ostracized for saying that it would cost him more to buy parts for a proper rebuild than buy a rebuilt transmission from BMW.
https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...spec-e30/page9

[Bnardog]

That's a smoking deal for a BMW rebuilt transmission!
Especially since it comes with a 12 month warranty from them as well.
Kinda makes the rebuilds from other indy shops seem less appealing.

Yeah it almost sounds too good to be true haha I'm thinking if there's a catch or something to it.

[Stanley Rockafella]

That's a smoking deal for a BMW rebuilt transmission!
Especially since it comes with a 12 month warranty from them as well.
Kinda makes the rebuilds from other indy shops seem less appealing.

[Bnardog]

This was from BMW of Encinitas, with a healthy (20+%) discount. Of course this does not include labor. They wouldn’t work on a car as old as an E30 anyway, so you would either be on your own or find a shop to do the work.

I honestly did not know BMW dealers still sold transmissions for 30+ year old cars. Yeah I do plan on finding a shop or tackling the project myself. I've seen a few videos of people doing it themselves and it doesn't seem too bad and looks sort of fun haha

[Bnardog]

Any BMW dealer.
Escondido: https://www.bmwdiscountparts.com/oem...on-23001221205

Hm, I'll follow up with BMW of San Diego this weekend and see what they quote me at.

[ghrays]

Really? No way, I'm located in San Diego haha which dealer if you don't mind me asking?

This was from BMW of Encinitas, with a healthy (20+%) discount. Of course this does not include labor. They wouldn’t work on a car as old as an E30 anyway, so you would either be on your own or find a shop to do the work.

[Vincenze]

Really? No way, I'm located in San Diego haha which dealer if you don't mind me asking?

Any BMW dealer.
Escondido: https://www.bmwdiscountparts.com/oem...on-23001221205

[Bnardog]

Local BMW dealer in San Diego quoted $3200 for a remanufactured 5 speed G260 transmission from BMW in Germany (exchange) part #23001221205.

Really? No way, I'm located in San Diego haha which dealer if you don't mind me asking?

[ghrays]

Local BMW dealer in San Diego quoted $3200 for a remanufactured 5 speed G260 transmission from BMW in Germany (exchange) part #23001221205.

[Bnardog]

$3k is about spot on with proper replacement of parts - synchros and shafts aren't getting any cheaper output shaft and 3 synchro set alone will run you $1200, and that's if you can even find the third one, been back-ordered for a minute .

Condor resells the boxes, they don't rebuild AFAIK. I'm sure I can do them, and even have a stockpile of g260's, just not enough hours in the day to take on more tasks at work.

Yup, I'm expecting to pay someone well to replace the synchros in mine or a rebuilt transmission. I thought special machinery is required to open these but if you have the tools then that's really cool. Still thinking on what I can do to get the best bang for my buck. Digger's suggestion sounds reasonable. It is possible mine only requires a single synchro to be replaced and if I bought a complete rebuild, I'd be paying for more than what I need. There's really no way to find out unless if I can get someone to open it and look.

[ForcedFirebird]

I'm sure a bad one would cost that, but if your core is not bad enough that it requires the works then you're paying more than you need. Therefore it might be more efficient to pull yours out and send if off to someone that can do the work and price on case by case basis and wait assuming its not your DD

I agree, was just using examples to justify the cost. It's an all day job for a tech, too. Even in my little "budget friendly" shop, that's $1k in labor, $600 for the synchros, and you are already half way to the retail price.

[ForcedFirebird]

Drivegear used to rebuild gearbox's, A lot of spec E30 guys used them. Now they just run a few E30 race cars that they rent out seats in.

Condor just sell's the box's, I assume Walter Motorsports just rebuilds them.

Yup. I have installed several DG boxes. I did spec for a few years, but enjoy the endurance racing more - plus we get to tinker with the cars without worrying about the tech shed. :)

[digger]

$3k is about spot on with proper replacement of parts - synchros and shafts aren't getting any cheaper output shaft and 3 synchro set alone will run you $1200, and that's if you can even find the third one, been back-ordered for a minute .

Condor resells the boxes, they don't rebuild AFAIK. I'm sure I can do them, and even have a stockpile of g260's, just not enough hours in the day to take on more tasks at work.

I'm sure a bad one would cost that, but if your core is not bad enough that it requires the works then you're paying more than you need. Therefore it might be more efficient to pull yours out and send if off to someone that can do the work and price on case by case basis and wait assuming its not your DD