Question about 635's

[Nygdup]

Since you guys know most everything across all the older models, here's a question for you.

I'm looking into purchasing an '87 635csi for my father. Car has an automatic transmission that the seller says is in need of replacement. What transmissions fit this car if I wanted to part one out from another car?

I assume my old automatic that was mated to my m20 won't work, will it? What will?

[Yakinho]

I know the manual transmission that will fit is a Getrag 260. Not sure if the automatic trans have a different code.

edit: I believe all the transmissions for an e24 should fit in there.

[winfred]

if it is the electric version (knob on the console, likely being a 87) you gotta have one that is right for the wiring/computer, the same vintage 535 and 735 will likely work, if you wanna kill off the EH computer crap go for a older 4hp from a 5/6/735 without the knob and hook up the kick down cable, beyond that pay attention to if the donor has the same configuration of tranny mount and u-joint/guibo (not practical to change due to the output shaft being different, unless you can get the right driveshaft)

ps most of the 4hp22 problems are traced to a worn out A-clutch and the leaking seal that wore it out, fixed in a hour or less with the tranny out, moving only in reverse or not at all is classic A-clutch failure

[gearheadE30]

Manual tranny swap FTW ;)

On a more serious note, these trannies are very strong but really don't like being revved in neutral just like the e30s and other BMWs of this era.

[TDE30]

I know the manual transmission that will fit is a Getrag 260. Not sure if the automatic trans have a different code.

edit: I believe all the transmissions for an e24 should fit in there.

IIRC, only early M30-powered E24's used the Getrag 260, later ones (like post-MY86 I believe) used the Getrag 265, as did most other M30-powered cars (E28, E32, etc.)

[Nygdup]

Great info guys. I believe the car is an 87 from what I recall. Current owner says that the car has no reverse or 4th gear, and struggles to make 2nd. Possibly the A-clutch problem talked about above?

Any idea what the used auto tranny market is like right now? What would I expect to pay for an automatic if I wanted to replace it.

[TDE30]

The G265 is a fairly solid transmission, I'm kind of surprised that he is having any problems with it. If you really want to throw in a used 4HP22 in there, I'd guess $150-200 will get a decent one.

I'd go for the G265 unless, it being your father's car, that would pose an issue.

[Nygdup]

Shifting gears is not as exciting to him as it is to us... Go figure.