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Thread: Are 265 and 260 transmissions the same length?

  1. #1
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    Are 265 and 260 transmissions the same length?

    Hi E28ers,

    I'm doing an M20 engine conversion on my E21 and someone suggested that I use a transmission from an '82 528e, which apparently uses the Getrag 265 transmission, whereas 83+ 528e models use the Getrag 260. My question is: are they the same length? Because the 260 doesn't fit my application - I've tried. My hope is that the 265 is slightly longer and will properly fit. Does anyone know?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Well they have different driveshafts, and the transmission mounting bracket is different, so I'd assume there is some length variation.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by DaRedRocket View Post
    Well they have different driveshafts, and the transmission mounting bracket is different, so I'd assume there is some length variation.
    Thanks. When you say they have different driveshafts, do you know whether the length of the driveshafts is different? Because that would mean that the length of the transmissions is different too.

  4. #4
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    comparisons..

    I have a 265cr, 265, and 260 I would definitely say the 265 is a little bigger. The 265 also came with a detachable bell housing and was matched to a specific model. The earlier ones (my 265cr) is from a 79 635 and has the gear driven speedo gears. The 265 I have in my 78 635 currently was from a 1985 535i and does not since the 1985 535i used motronic.

    Short answer is yes the 265 is different and a little longer. There are other differences that you should check on to make sure the one you get matches exactly what you need.

    Good luck!

    Have to love the e24.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by todor View Post
    Hi E28ers,

    I'm doing an M20 engine conversion on my E21 and someone suggested that I use a transmission from an '82 528e, which apparently uses the Getrag 265 transmission, whereas 83+ 528e models use the Getrag 260. My question is: are they the same length? Because the 260 doesn't fit my application - I've tried. My hope is that the 265 is slightly longer and will properly fit. Does anyone know?

    Thanks!
    I don't think the Getrag 265 was used behind an M20 engine, if it was, a unique bellhousing was used that would be very hard to find. I have a 265 (from a '79 528i) in my '72 CSi, it is somewhat longer than the 260 I have in my 535is from a combination of the separate bell housing and gear box casting. Metric Mechanic used to have photos of them with the specifics, check them out.
    Pat
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  6. #6
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    Fastpat, the non-CR265 was used in early eta's to my knowledge. It also came on '85 535i's. The CR version was mainly a Euro thing, it was an option on E28, E30, and E24's. Most CR265's were swapped out during federalization however.
    Last edited by DaRedRocket; 11-11-2008 at 02:40 AM.
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  7. #7
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    I hadn't heard about the 265 use on M20 powered 5-series. The '85's got it because of some reliability issues with the 260, which came back after some components were beefed up.
    Pat
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  8. #8
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    I have the 265 with removable housing from my parted out 82 eta. If you are interested I am selling it.

    Andy

  9. #9
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    bellhouse

    Quote Originally Posted by south42 View Post
    I have the 265 with removable housing from my parted out 82 eta. If you are interested I am selling it.

    Andy
    hi you still got the bellhouse?

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