I need a new transmission

[clutterbucker]

I've been told by many that rebuilding a transmission is a waste of money when you can find a used one for so cheap, and if I can save money that way, I whole-heartedly agree. My transmission is going, and after I beat it up a little this winter, I'm plaaning on grabbing a used one and throwing it in. My question is this....
Will an E36 325i/s 5spd fit in a 1990 325i? The only reason I ask is that I'm probably more likely to find a ZF in better shape since they're newer.
Any opinions/ideas?

[nando]

E36 ZF trannies are garbage compared to the Getrag 260s that came on E30s. the E36 tranny will 'work', but save yourself the trouble and find a good used E30 box.

[Jon325i]

Why bother with an E36 box? Chances are whomever you buy it from is likely to charge you more than an E30 box since its "newer." Honestly, the Getrag 260 used in the E30s is a very reliable tranny. If you found one with 150K+ miles of wear, then its got another 150K in it.

Case in point on durability: I've got a Getrag 260 with over 220K miles of use and it still shifts smoothly, makes no unusual noises, and doesn't even leak fluids.

I don't know if E36 and E30 manual trannys share the same shift linkage, but if you were to stay with the same gearbox then there's one less thing to sort out.

Jon

[clutterbucker]

I know the Getrag 260 transmissions are better, as in more solid and reliable. However, MY getrag 260 (only 135k on it) shifts like an asshole, especially when it's cold outside. Last night, for about 5 minutes I couldn't get into first or second gear without using my superman-like strength. It was a bitch. I guess I just ask about the E36 tranny because they're easier to come across in good shape, and I remember how easy and smooth the shift in my e36 318 was. I just have good memories I guess.
So will the ZF bolt directly up to my motor with no problems....just out of curiosity.

[James Crivellone]

it sounds like you have a bad transmission then... or no fluid is left in it. So you can't really rate the Getrag 260.

i love mine, and would NEVER swap in a god damn shitty ZF manual into an e30

[trent]

I know the Getrag 260 transmissions are better, as in more solid and reliable. However, MY getrag 260 (only 135k on it) shifts like an asshole, especially when it's cold outside. Last night, for about 5 minutes I couldn't get into first or second gear without using my superman-like strength. It was a bitch. I guess I just ask about the E36 tranny because they're easier to come across in good shape, and I remember how easy and smooth the shift in my e36 318 was. I just have good memories I guess.
So will the ZF bolt directly up to my motor with no problems....just out of curiosity.

You will have to change your rear differential ratio too. Those 5th gears are 1:1.

[bimmerphile]

my car shifts much better than any e36 ever.

[rs4pro3]

I've got a tranny for sale if your interested.

[andreyiv]

Hi guys, I am new here and decided to register the first visit, but anyway, as you can see from my signature I have a 325i E36. The car has a little over 108k miles and the French made GM auto tranny which I practically dispise. So far it has worked very good, no problems at all except for low fluid when I got it, since somebody told me that I might get 150k miles out of the tranny if I don't beat on it, I started to think about swapping it for a manual. This is a long shot but does anyone know if I will be able to get the Getrag tranny in there without modifications? Thanks by the way.

[KenC]

Hi guys, I am new here and decided to register the first visit, but anyway, as you can see from my signature I have a 325i E36. The car has a little over 108k miles and the French made GM auto tranny which I practically dispise. So far it has worked very good, no problems at all except for low fluid when I got it, since somebody told me that I might get 150k miles out of the tranny if I don't beat on it, I started to think about swapping it for a manual. This is a long shot but does anyone know if I will be able to get the Getrag tranny in there without modifications? Thanks by the way.

This is strictly an e30 forum.

[andreyiv]

I am sorry, I will remove myself momentairly.

[Jordan]

I am sorry, I will remove myself momentairly.

lol, that really isn't needed. But most of the content here wont be of much interest to a e36'er.

[KenC]

I am sorry, I will remove myself momentairly.

lol, that really isn't needed. But most of the content here wont be of much interest to a e36'er.

LOL, sorry, I wasn't trying to reprimand you or anything. I just meant that there is little or no info on e36s on this site, thus your question will most likely go unanswered.

[trent]

I am sorry, I will remove myself momentairly.

lol, that really isn't needed. But most of the content here wont be of much interest to a e36'er.

LOL, sorry, I wasn't trying to reprimand you or anything. I just meant that there is little or no info on e36s on this site, thus your question will most likely go unanswered.

Why speak for all of us? Some of us have a very well rounded education on all BMW's. Hell, I have converted automatic E36's to 6 speeds. :roll:

[andreyiv]

Sorry, couldn't find the delete account button. Actually, I like e30s much better and the boards with newer bimmers usually have members who don't know anything about their cars and flame any person who has something older. I once got flamed and the idiot told me I am inferior to him because my car has over 100k miles than his (I had 97k on the clock back then) and at the same time he was asking something like, how do I open the hood.

Sometimes the community makes up for the lack of everything else so if no body minds I would like to stick around. Oh and just to clear everything out, I didn't take anything personally and am not mad or anything similar to that at any of you.

Now, trent, if you don't mind, was that a euro M3 tranny you were putting in those? I would like to hear anything that might help in any way at all. So far I think I will start saving up for the swap and then once the auto goes, change it over.