e36 Transmission Replacement

[skylerf411]

My 1995 e36 325i 2nd gear has started popping. I read another thread that said that this is a common problem for the Getrag transmission. I also have read that people have been replacing theirs with a ZF transmission because those are known to be more reliable. I am a car noob, but I am trying to learn. I just wanted to know if anybody knew a ZF transmission that would fit in the car as I couldn't find another thread that mentioned one for my car. I'm also not very good with these forums yet, so I'm sorry if there is a another thread on this subject. Thank you!

EDIT: oops i put this in the wrong category. It should be in the right one now

[shogun]

Moved to E36 forum

[flyfishvt]

It's been discussed many times. I did the same swap on my 95 325.

The issue sue is caused by a faulty guide sleeve in the Getrag 5 speed. BMW eventually corrected the issue in later production cars. If you can find a 97+ Getrag from a 323 or 318 it will be much cheaper than the ZF swap. Getrag trannies are selling for $150-250 these days.

If if you decide to do the ZF swap you'll need the following parts from a 96-98 328 or 95-99 m3. They both use the same parts.

ZF 5 speed, shifter linkage, drive shaft. You'll also need to buy a ZF flex disk. ZF 5 speeds are selling fir $250-350. That should include the sgifter linkage. ZF drive shafts are selling for $150-200. Those drive shafts are getting harder and harder to find. Lots of people are swapping out their e36 auto trannies and using ZF trannies.

There re is no real benefit to going with a ZF on your car unless you're in the process of installing a turbo. The gear ratios in the 2 trannies are slightly different 1-3 and identical 4-5. You'll never see any difference based on gear ratios.

[FiberFast]

Even if you install a turbo, the Getrags can be beefed up significantly and parts are readily available. Here at has made some of the toughest transmissions known to man. You can't gripe about a transmission giving up after +200k miles of abuse, the zf is the same. Use the American made parts, remember how everyone bitched about the iron blocks? Now the Euro guys want the iron blocks for FI cause the alluminum ones pop like an overpresurized soda can. Something to think about.