325e/324td drive shaft for 5 speed swap

[noid]

The 325e had 3 different drive shaft part numbers

until 86 the part number was 26 11 1 225 635

from 6/86-09/87 the part number was 26 11 1 226 210

From 09/87+ the part number was 26 10 1 226 425


Which one is it exactly that is supposed to work without modification with a 5 speed m60 swap?

[JGood]

You don't want part number 26111225635 (pre 6/86), that is the small guibo.

My best guess for the 9/87 cutoff is that it's related to the center support bearing design change across all e30 models which happened in the same month, not the shaft itself. The reason realoem has 2 different part numbers is because when it's ordered from BMW, the shaft comes assembled with a CSB.

So, if you are going after a used driveshaft, you should be fine with either 26 11 1 226 210 or 26 10 1 226 425, then get the correct CSB for your application.