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daihard
11-05-2003, 02:15 PM
The 3-series with smaller engines (318, 323 and 325) use Getrag manual transmissions, where as those with bigger engines (328, 330 and M3) are equipped with ZF's. Why do they use transmissions from the two manufacturers? Are there any substantial differences between them? Anything technical?

TIA,
Dai
Daved
11-05-2003, 03:04 PM
Just FYI, euro e36 325 got ZF too.
bimmer95
11-05-2003, 03:12 PM
It would seem that BMW engineers determined that the Getrag boxes couldn't hold up reliably to the extra torque of the 2.8-3.2L motors, so they decided to equip them models with the more heavy duty ZF boxes.
daihard
11-05-2003, 04:07 PM
Originally posted by Daved
Just FYI, euro e36 325 got ZF too.
That's interesting. The U.S. E36 325 got Getrag. The only E36 models in the U.S. that had ZF's were the 328 and M3.

Now my question is... does E46 M3 get Getrag 6-sp.? That's what I read somewhere, but if Getrags aren't as heavy-duty as ZF's, I'd see no reason the M3 is fitted with it instead of ZF. Any thoughts?
Daved
11-05-2003, 04:10 PM
Originally posted by daihard
does E46 M3 get Getrag 6-sp.?
Yes and the euro E36 3.2L M3 got 6spd Getrag tranny too :)
bimmer95
11-05-2003, 04:17 PM
The 6-speed Getrag gearbox is a lot stronger than the 5-speed Getrag gearbox.
daihard
11-05-2003, 04:48 PM
Originally posted by bimmer95
The 6-speed Getrag gearbox is a lot stronger than the 5-speed Getrag gearbox.
Thanks guys... I'm impressed, how do you know all those things? Are there any good Web sites that I can go to for information like that?
enda320
11-05-2003, 04:52 PM
my 320 has the ZF Box (i think) the last number of bmw's code tells you the input torque, in this case 310 (a5s 310z) or something like that....
daihard
11-05-2003, 05:08 PM
Originally posted by enda320
my 320 has the ZF Box (i think) the last number of bmw's code tells you the input torque, in this case 310 (a5s 310z) or something like that.... The ZF S5D 310Z? That's reserved for E36 328 and M3 here in the U.S. The newer model, 320Z, replaced it in 1998-1999 if I remember correctly. I didn't know that the last number meant the input torque. Does that mean the 310Z can withstand up to 310 lb-ft of torque?
daihard
11-05-2003, 05:34 PM
I should have done my homework...

This site (http://www.babez.de/bmw/3series.php) says that the 6-speed tranny for the 2004 3-series (except for M3) is ZF Type-H, as opposed to the Getrag Type-D for M3.

:redspot
Daved
11-06-2003, 02:10 AM
Originally posted by daihard

Originally posted by enda320
my 320 has the ZF Box (i think) the last number of bmw's code tells you the input torque, in this case 310 (a5s 310z) or something like that....
The ZF S5D 310Z? That's reserved for E36 328 and M3 here in the U.S. The newer model, 320Z, replaced it in 1998-1999 if I remember correctly. I didn't know that the last number meant the input torque. Does that mean the 310Z can withstand up to 310 lb-ft of torque?

A5S 310Z is an auto tranny. S5D 310Z is a manual tranny.