E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

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blue91lx
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E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by blue91lx »

Hey all-

I have been doing a bunch of research on the topic of driveshaft lengths, and have found some inconclusive results.

I want to know if the e28 535i (g260/6 transmission) driveshaft is the same length as a 528e (g260/5 transmission) driveshaft, assuming both cars are using a large guibo output shaft flange on the trans.

RealOEM lists different part numbers for them, but then states that the 535i driveshaft has been superseded with the 528e driveshaft's p/n.

Thank you for any help you may offer!
Mike W.
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by Mike W. »

Yes, they are interchangeable. I used I believe it was the front half of an '82, eta with a G265/6, on my '85, 535i with a 265/6. I used a tape measure to compare and they came out the same length. Now they were not absolutely the exact same part, IIRC the 535 part was a larger diameter, I guess for the extra torque/HP of the M30, but it bolted up. It was still going strong when I sold it a mere 130K later.
blue91lx
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Joined: Jun 16, 2018 11:14 AM
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by blue91lx »

Mike W. wrote: Mar 12, 2023 12:42 AM Yes, they are interchangeable. I used I believe it was the front half of an '82, eta with a G265/6, on my '85, 535i with a 265/6. I used a tape measure to compare and they came out the same length. Now they were not absolutely the exact same part, IIRC the 535 part was a larger diameter, I guess for the extra torque/HP of the M30, but it bolted up. It was still going strong when I sold it a mere 130K later.
Mike- thank you for the response. Are you sure they are the same for the g260 as well? I know the early 80s 528 had the ever so coveted g265 with m20 bellhousing.

I am concerned primarily with the m20 vs m30 g260 without the removable bellhousing. I assume they're the same, but was worried they were a few mm different due to the m30 possibly sitting further back than the m20 since the motor is longer?
Mike W.
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by Mike W. »

No I am not sure. As a matter of fact I even read your post as 265/6, not the 260/5 and 260/6 that I now see that it is. But if Realoem says one supersedes the other I would guess that it would. It's a great resource, but not a perfect one. But it could be as I found out with 265's, that M30 cars had a heavier duty shaft than M20 cars, but now that they don't care as much anymore they show it if it will fit even if it wasn't the same originally. Conjecture though. One of the (very few) places that rebuild BMW driveshafts might know.
blue91lx
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by blue91lx »

Mike W. wrote: Mar 15, 2023 11:07 PM No I am not sure. As a matter of fact I even read your post as 265/6, not the 260/5 and 260/6 that I now see that it is. But if Realoem says one supersedes the other I would guess that it would. It's a great resource, but not a perfect one. But it could be as I found out with 265's, that M30 cars had a heavier duty shaft than M20 cars, but now that they don't care as much anymore they show it if it will fit even if it wasn't the same originally. Conjecture though. One of the (very few) places that rebuild BMW driveshafts might know.
I had contacted a few folks in the above regard, but no one seemed to have a concrete answer. When I find the answer, I will post it here!
Mike W.
Posts: 26872
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by Mike W. »

blue91lx wrote: Mar 19, 2023 4:08 PM
I had contacted a few folks in the above regard, but no one seemed to have a concrete answer. When I find the answer, I will post it here!
Please do! There is precious little info on D/S lengths.
austin8753
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by austin8753 »

528e with g260 and 535i with g260 will interchange. i've done it in the past with good results.
blue91lx
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Joined: Jun 16, 2018 11:14 AM
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Re: E28 Manual Driveshaft Lengths Between the 528e and the 535i

Post by blue91lx »

austin8753 wrote: Mar 20, 2023 1:41 AM 528e with g260 and 535i with g260 will interchange. i've done it in the past with good results.
you da man! I should've just texted you, lol (it's Bobbie)
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