What are the differences? Specifically the length (are the drive shafts from an 85 and 86 535i different) and shift linkage.

They are different.
1985:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DC74&mospid=47231&btnr=26_0016&hg=26&fg=05
1986:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DC74&mospid=47231&btnr=26_0016&hg=26&fg=05

The 260 and 265 also have very different shifter mechanisms:
1985 (265):http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DC74&mospid=47231&btnr=25_0226&hg=25&fg=05

1986 (260):
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DC74&mospid=47231&btnr=25_0073&hg=25&fg=05

thanx for the help

260 is better

260 is better

How do you figure? Everything I have read, seen, and experienced suggests the 265 is superior.

I don't want you to get the idea I am being combative, I would simply like to know your reasoning. :cool

How do you figure? Everything I have read, seen, and experienced suggests the 265 is superior.

I don't want you to get the idea I am being combative, I would simply like to know your reasoning. :cool

Maybe i got the numbers mixed up, im not sure. But what I don know is which ever tranny cam ein the e34 535 is the better of the two tranny's.

Maybe i got the numbers mixed up, im not sure. But what I don know is which ever tranny cam ein the e34 535 is the better of the two tranny's.

265 was the early 5 speed, with the brass synchros, 260 was the later one (post 85) with the molybendium (if I recall right) rings.

I would very much like to know your reasoning. I always like to hear about other people's experiences like this, especially since you are obviously well-versed, based on the products listed on your page.

Getrag 265 w/removable bellhousing is well known as the strongest transmission of that era. It came on the '82 528e, '85 535/635, and e30 m3. The 260/5 (528e other than '82, 533/633) is the weakest of the transmissions (tho still good for 200k miles) and the 260/6 is supposedly much improved over the 260/5.

My original G265 tranny works as it should with NO grinding or slipping with 288k miles.

In response to the original question, yes the driveshafts are different. The '85 535i has a 265 tranny (2-piece) while the '86 has the 260/6 one-piece transmission. Either way, both the 265 and 260/6 are usually good for several hundred thousand miles.

Raj

I planed on swaping out my old slush box and i already have the bell housing and clutch assembly from the 265 and the pedal assembly from another e34. All was sourced for free so thus far i have nothing to loose but i need to know if i will need a custom drive shaft and if shift linkage will be easily do-able if i get a 265

Not really trying to revive an old thread, but I need some input.

Will the m30 transmission, ei 265 mount to the m20 engine?

Not really trying to revive an old thread, but I need some input.

Will the m30 transmission, ei 265 mount to the m20 engine?

no sir, sorry, unless some serious custom work is done

Not really trying to revive an old thread, but I need some input.

Will the m30 transmission, ei 265 mount to the m20 engine?

no, but you can mount an M50 to the M20's transmission, so my guess is you could reverse that and mount an M50 tranny to an M20. not sure why you would want to, but my guess is it's possible.

what is the model number for the dogleg box found in the euro E30 M3 and euro 635/633 etc?

what is the model number for the dogleg box found in the euro E30 M3 and euro 635/633 etc?

It seems like I've seen it referred to as the 265 CR (Close Ratio), but I've sort of doubted that.

What I do know is that it isn't generally one of the more reliable trannies in the BMW world, and is very expensive to rebuild.

Yea, i had one of them that came separate on the car i bought. I sold it for 500 bucks, never tested it, and one of the tranny support ears was broken off!

Now i pulled the trans out of my 83 633csi, the syncs were shot. It had the shifter mechanism for a 265, but is labeled a 260. I pulled a trans from an 87 535is, it was a 260. Im pretty sure the one out of the 535is is the 260/6, and the trans that was in my car was the 260/5, but i didnt think that the 83 633 had the 260. Either way, there is no length difference between the 260/5 or 260/6 because the driveshafts are exactly the same. Or at least the ones i have are.

-Jeff

, and is very expensive to rebuild.

and expensive to obtain!

i've heard there was a CR box for the M20 on i think E21 323's or maybe the old old E30 323's. most of those cars here in germany have been scrapped so they are harder to find:nono