Manual Transmission issue, advice?

[m1943]

OK, I have a '95 525i/M, and I've had bad syncro's in 5th gear since day one (I got the thing a year and a half ago), but recently my 2nd gear has effectvely stopped engaging, I believe that it must be the same type of issue as in my 5th gear.
1)what are my options, given the value of the car?
2)would a more modern, 6-speed tranny fit my engine?
I like the car, and parting it out or driving it to death as-is are not on the table. I'd like simply to get the best value for the money, I cirtainly am not going to take it to the dealer, for example :)

[zubbie]

find a good used tranny and swap it in. Way cheaper that getting it fixed. Stay well away from the dealer if you want to save your cash.

I don't believe a 6 speed will work for you. ZF from an E36 M3 or early 91 525 or the Getrag box you have now.

[Sam Son]

i believe a 6spd out of an E46 with an M54 will work same bellhousings iirc. I'd grab a ZF310 from an E36 M but an E46 ZF 6spd would be pretty darn cool

[m1943]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I'm dissapointed that my own tranny can't be fixed on the cheap, and if I have to replace one, I'd rather get something better-than-stock. What are the advantages of an E36 ZF tranny over the original, and can anyone confirm the possibility of using an E46 6-speed?
Of course another thought that occured to me was to replace both engine and trany with something like a 3.0 - 6-speed, but that would probably be just too damn expensive... :(

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

find a good used tranny and swap it in. Way cheaper that getting it fixed.


yup, just check out Jim Blanton for a quote on a rebuild.:rolleyes

[m1943]

Looking on eBay, there are a few of them for sale, just need to find out which ones will fit my car, there is a 6-speed from a Z roadster, wonder if that would work... There also are E36 M3 ZFs there, too. Prices range from $399 to $1299 so far. Need advice, don't know much about transmissions/driveshafts/LSDs, I'm pretty much just a driver and haven't had to deal with a transmission failure on a Bimmer prior to this. :(

[zubbie]

"lowell" on this board may know the answer to your questions and may also have a tranny for you. He may post here or you could PM him.

[NapaBavarian]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I'm dissapointed that my own tranny can't be fixed on the cheap, and if I have to replace one, I'd rather get something better-than-stock. What are the advantages of an E36 ZF tranny over the original, and can anyone confirm the possibility of using an E46 6-speed?
Of course another thought that occured to me was to replace both engine and trany with something like a 3.0 - 6-speed, but that would probably be just too damn expensive... :(

I see Bavarian Recyclers has s54 engines for $4000, I'm tempted!

[m1943]

OK, I have more questions now. So since I have a Getrag now, a ZF won't be plug 'n play, I also have to change other parts, such as the driveshaft?? I probably need to replace the tranny, I never was that crazy about my Getrag, wanted to get a short-shifter kit for it, but now that it's all screwed up, I need to know how much more of a pain it will be to install a better transmission. Thanks again, all.

[zubbie]

Changing the tranny and driveshaft is not that hard if you are mechanically inclined.

1. car up high on jackstands or lift
2. drop exhaust
3. pull driveshaft (easy)
4. disconnect clutch lines, remove shift console and drop tranny

reinstall is the reverse. get a new guibo and centre bearing with the dirveshaft. get the EVO shifter and a nice clutch while you are at it.

Enjoy your revitalized car