FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
Owndapwn
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Owndapwn »

Mike W. wrote: [*]G260/6
  • Used on '86-'88 535’s and E34 535s, but they may not have the flywheel sensor holes drilled out. Identify it by the fins on the bottom of the transmission and non-removable case. Overdrive 5th.
[*]G265/6
  • Used on '82 528e and '85 535i. Also on '85 6/735, '80-'81 E12, '81-'82 6/733s and E30 M3s. Considered the strongest transmission available for E28’s. Is easily identified by a removable bell housing which allows use on M10, M20 and M30 engines, as long as the correct bell housing is used or reused. All except M3s have a sheet metal shifter support. It’s use in '85 M30 powered cars was reportedly dictated by the short life of the 260/5 in those cars. Overdrive 5th.
So, I have a 1986 535i. Production date 10/85.
Am I, in this situation, considered an '85 or '86?
RealOEM seems to suggest 260/6, but it also says the 260/6 was implemented "From 10/85," so that's close enough to be hopeful for.
Mike W.
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Mike W. »

Owndapwn wrote:
Mike W. wrote: [*]G260/6
  • Used on '86-'88 535’s and E34 535s, but they may not have the flywheel sensor holes drilled out. Identify it by the fins on the bottom of the transmission and non-removable case. Overdrive 5th.
[*]G265/6
  • Used on '82 528e and '85 535i. Also on '85 6/735, '80-'81 E12, '81-'82 6/733s and E30 M3s. Considered the strongest transmission available for E28’s. Is easily identified by a removable bell housing which allows use on M10, M20 and M30 engines, as long as the correct bell housing is used or reused. All except M3s have a sheet metal shifter support. It’s use in '85 M30 powered cars was reportedly dictated by the short life of the 260/5 in those cars. Overdrive 5th.
So, I have a 1986 535i. Production date 10/85.
Am I, in this situation, considered an '85 or '86?
RealOEM seems to suggest 260/6, but it also says the 260/6 was implemented "From 10/85," so that's close enough to be hopeful for.
I would strongly expect it to be a 260/6 given the 86 model year, but I can't guarantee it. But especially with a 30 year old car, crawl underneath and take a look.
5timesturbo
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by 5timesturbo »

I have a G260/6 in a 88 535is. Can I use a clutch kit designed for an 88 M5...!???
Karlkormann
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Karlkormann »

Are all of the clutches and maintenance parts for the M30/Manual transmission the same?

I'm doing a manual swap on an 87' 535is. I understand this car, if equipped with a manual was a Getrag 260. I've sourced a 265 (out of an 85' 535i) from a wrecking yard along with the drive line, flywheel, etc.

Do the cluctch assemblies interchange as well as trans seals and shifter bushings between the 260 and the 265?
:cool:
1st 5er
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by 1st 5er »

Karlkormann wrote:Are all of the clutches and maintenance parts for the M30/Manual transmission the same?

I'm doing a manual swap on an 87' 535is. I understand this car, if equipped with a manual was a Getrag 260. I've sourced a 265 (out of an 85' 535i) from a wrecking yard along with the drive line, flywheel, etc.

Do the cluctch assemblies interchange as well as trans seals and shifter bushings between the 260 and the 265?
:cool:
You should be good to go on everything else, but not 100% on the seals.

You'll need to source and weld in the rear console hanger,
or hack in a substitute.
LeiseyJr
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by LeiseyJr »

Karlkormann wrote:Are all of the clutches and maintenance parts for the M30/Manual transmission the same?

I'm doing a manual swap on an 87' 535is. I understand this car, if equipped with a manual was a Getrag 260. I've sourced a 265 (out of an 85' 535i) from a wrecking yard along with the drive line, flywheel, etc.

Do the cluctch assemblies interchange as well as trans seals and shifter bushings between the 260 and the 265?
:cool:
If you are going from G260 —-> G265 you need the G265 specific bellhousing, crossmember, trans mounts, shifter assembly and D/S. This will all bolt up with no modication. Flywheel, clutch, slave cylinder, T/O bearing is the same. Trans seal, as far as shifter seal interchange the rest of the seals I am unsure. The shift bushings do not interchange as G265 uses early style console shifter, unless you get the E30 M3 adapter thing to adapt later style shifter stuff to work on G265. I reccomend just getting all the 265 stuff if possible.
harrypalmer
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by harrypalmer »

Could I fit my failing E28 1986 Getrag 260/6 with a E34 1990 Getrag 260/6?

The housing numbers for the 1990 E34 transmission are:
Side casing # 260.0.1302.92
Rear case # 260.0.1060.92
Any insights and help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Jack
Nebraska_e28
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Nebraska_e28 »

harrypalmer wrote:Could I fit my failing E28 1986 Getrag 260/6 with a E34 1990 Getrag 260/6?

The housing numbers for the 1990 E34 transmission are:
Side casing # 260.0.1302.92
Rear case # 260.0.1060.92
Any insights and help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Jack
The short answer is yes. But this question would be better posted in a separate thread.
harrypalmer
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Location: Denver, Colorado

Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by harrypalmer »

Nebraska_e28 wrote:
harrypalmer wrote:Could I fit my failing E28 1986 Getrag 260/6 with a E34 1990 Getrag 260/6?

The housing numbers for the 1990 E34 transmission are:
Side casing # 260.0.1302.92
Rear case # 260.0.1060.92
Any insights and help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-Jack
The short answer is yes. But this question would be better posted in a separate thread.
Well, first of all, thank you. This really helps me quite a lot. Secondly, it seemed appropriate to continue a thread on the same subject but I will do as you suggest and actually I did a few minutes ago. Thank you once more.
Richardtoh
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Joined: Nov 21, 2018 11:00 PM
Location: Singapore

Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Richardtoh »

Could some wise man help me?

I have a 1984 RHD Alpina B9 3.5 e28.

Was told that Alpina authorized Sytner of UK, Great Britain, to convert stock RHD 528i e28 to B9 spec. This was in 1984, when the 535i and M5 were not released yet.

I want to know the gearbox in the car and hopefully the rear diff as well.

The gearbox is a 5 speed, with reverse next to 1st. 5th gear is "out on a limb" to the right and forward.

Gearbox has markings "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3." Bellhousing is separate as described in 1st post.

Appreciate is some folks here could advise.

Thanks.

Richard
Mike W.
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Mike W. »

Richardtoh wrote:Could some wise man help me?

I have a 1984 RHD Alpina B9 3.5 e28.

Was told that Alpina authorized Sytner of UK, Great Britain, to convert stock RHD 528i e28 to B9 spec. This was in 1984, when the 535i and M5 were not released yet.

I want to know the gearbox in the car and hopefully the rear diff as well.

The gearbox is a 5 speed, with reverse next to 1st. 5th gear is "out on a limb" to the right and forward.

Gearbox has markings "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3." Bellhousing is separate as described in 1st post.

Appreciate is some folks here could advise.

Thanks.

Richard
Sounds like a Getrag 265/6, the overdrive 5 speed.
Foonfer
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Foonfer »

Almost THIRTEEN YEARS after the 1st post by Mike, but came here to say:

This post would be orders of magnitude better if there was an indication or cross-reference to the stamped numbers on each transmission's casting.

For instance the recent (?) post by Richartoh referring to a trans with casting numbers "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3".

Here's another: What if the casting numbers are "262.0.0510.90 and 225 and 2.3" - ????
Mike W.
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Location: California Whine Country

Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by Mike W. »

Foonfer wrote: Mar 04, 2022 12:07 AM Almost THIRTEEN YEARS after the 1st post by Mike, but came here to say:

This post would be orders of magnitude better if there was an indication or cross-reference to the stamped numbers on each transmission's casting.

For instance the recent (?) post by Richartoh referring to a trans with casting numbers "262.0.0510 and 225 and 1.3".

Here's another: What if the casting numbers are "262.0.0510.90 and 225 and 2.3" - ????
BMW may or may not have records of what serial number tranny went into what car, or what transmission it is, but if they do I have no access to that data. As far as the 262.0.0510.90 number, the .90 part at the end means it was revision .90. But the problem with the 262 numbers is they are casting number, and could apparently be machined to fit different variations or transmissions. 262 is a 4 speed, but 265's have a 262 casting number. Casting number, not part number. A 260/5 can fit either a M20 or M30 block, but one or the other, not both. Yes it's confusing which is why I tried to lay it all out.
leeeveretI
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by leeeveretI »

This is useful information
cek
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by cek »

This is what a G265/6 from a 1985 535i looks like:

Image
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This is what a G260/5 from an M20 E30 or '87-88 528e (aluminum shift console) looks like:

Image
Image
Image
Image

This is what a G260/6 from a 1987 535is looks like:

Image
Image
Image
Image
iamcreepingdeath
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Re: FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

Post by iamcreepingdeath »

The above pics need to be added to the first post.
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