transmission - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

mpowernyc · 12th November 2001, 16:28

anyone know if I could use a tranny from another model bmw like a 535 or m3

mikek · 12th November 2001, 20:40

No other gearbox will fit. When you look at the gearbox on the M5 you will notice a packing piece near the propshaft end. This piece is about 25mm thick. The non M5 gearboxes do not have this piece making them 25mm too short, meaning the prop will be too short. The only way would be to get a matching prop and diff off the donor car.

The gear ratios would be all wrong too! I tried to fit a 535i gearbox to mine(bad idea)...was told it was an M5 gearbox when I bought it ..I found out the hard way!! I ended up doing the proper thing and buying a whole new gearbox from bmw nearly 2500 uk pounds!!!! but its ok now..no whines no rattles!

Besides I think the M5 unit will be uprated to handle the extra 104 bhp from the S38 engine.

mikek · 12th November 2001, 20:48

The M5 gear box is a Getrag 280
The piccy below shows the gearbox stripped down. The 25mm packing piece I talked about is the Piece in the photo that the main shafts rotate on.

Regards

Mike K

mikek · 12th November 2001, 20:56

how do i insert a picture on this message board?

mpowernyc · 13th November 2001, 04:38

thanks for info,guess I have to goto the dealer and shell out $3200 for a new transmission

de Witt · 13th November 2001, 07:19

Wait!

If you would consider a rebuild of the 280/5, contact:

Jim Blanton
Blanton Transmissions, Inc.

jblanton@sky.net

1427 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64101
816-221-8584

He has rebuilt several e34 M5 transmissions, with excellent results, and at a price of around $2500-3000.

Just thought you might want to know.

de Witt

IvanDias · 13th November 2001, 23:05

From what I hear and read, the M5 Getrag 280 won the 1995 "how the f**k does this go back together" olympic gold medal.

Very few companies offer rebuilds, you really really have to know what you are doing.

$2500-3000 sounds a bit steep for a re-build. I don`t doubt his quality, if fact I take my hat off to someone skilled enough to do it, but what warranty is offered ? I am interested to know.

A concur that a new box in the UK is £2500, although I thought that was plus 17.5% VAT (USA read sales tax) but either way;

£2500 inc = $3625 US = new box which is 100000+ miles.

£2500+VAT = £2937 = $4258, again a new box so 100000+ miles.

Against $2500-3000 for the rebuild.

Assumes 1.45 dollars/pound, I understand fitting is included in price, and hope you lead-footed maniacs can actually get 100000 miles from a gearbox and a few clutches

I have no intention to sell my car, ever, it`s only worth a few thousand, so the guaranteed longevity of the new box would make me go down this route.

There! My two cents.

Ivan.

mikek · 14th November 2001, 00:16

Ivan,

Yeah the box was plus vat!! but its actual price is 2250 +vat(17.5%)

But with a discount i got it for 1950 + vat..think thats 2337 in total!!!!

I would certainly not buy a recon box when it is only $4000 dollas cheaper. There is no way that everything in the box will be new!
Does anyone know how i post a pic??

regards

Mike K

mikek · 14th November 2001, 00:17

oops I meant $400 NOT $4000!!!!

mikek · 14th November 2001, 00:20

De Witt,

By the way the box in the E34 M5 is known as a Getrag 280...not as you stated the 280/5.

The 280/5 is a dogleg version of the close ratio box as fitted to the E34 M3 and the E28M535i. I believe it is also fitted in some models of the E28 M5, but thats not gospel!

regards

mike K