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Thread: 540 Auto Transmission Compatability

  1. #1
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    Question 540 Auto Transmission Compatability

    I have a 2000 540 touring with likely a drum A failure. I would love to have the time/patience to rebuild it myself, but that's not going to happen. From what I can tell rebuilds alone are $2,500+ and install labor on top. I'm not looking to spend that much on a car that is far from perfect.

    I'm planning on having a shop swap it out with a used one. I just need to locate a reasonably low mileage transmission. I need a 5HP24 A5S440Z. Which years and models can I search? I know the 5HP24 was also used in the e38, but is it plug and play? Also this other thread suggests pre- and post- facelifts are different and possibility the torque converter being different on tourings as well:
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2394250-Pre-and-post-facelift-540i-auto-transmissions

    Basically what years and models should I be looking for?

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    Hi, I added the link from Timm's site to the prior thread that you referenced. But look at the data plate on the side of any prospective transmission and see if it match's yours - I suggest going to look at the one in your car - 1) you will get to know where to look, 2 ) you will see if that matches below. If it does not match below, I still suggest following the chart.

    BMW 540i E39 Touring (M60) 1998 – TF 24 00 1 423 304 1058 000 022 ( any 1998 on 540i should be the same )

    Any 740i or 740il from late 1998 should also be the same ( you want cars with m62tu's ).

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    Actually, it's an M62.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  4. #4
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    No he said his car was a 2000, so, solidly in TU territory.
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by CPHES View Post
    Hi, I added the link from Timm's site to the prior thread that you referenced. But look at the data plate on the side of any prospective transmission and see if it match's yours - I suggest going to look at the one in your car - 1) you will get to know where to look, 2 ) you will see if that matches below. If it does not match below, I still suggest following the chart.

    BMW 540i E39 Touring (M60) 1998 – TF 24 00 1 423 304 1058 000 022 ( any 1998 on 540i should be the same )

    Any 740i or 740il from late 1998 should also be the same ( you want cars with m62tu's ).
    Yes, I saw your post in the other thread, but once I saw it say M60 I didn't feel I could trust it.
    In the end, I need to match the ZF Part # correct? That's the number that is actually stamped on the transmission.

    Also, does the torque converter usually come with the transmission when you buy it from a salvage yard? I've bought one for out Jeep and it did. I'm thinking I should just get the set and not reuse mine with 188k miles on it.
    Last edited by KRUZNBY; 01-15-2019 at 11:54 AM.

  6. #6
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    Yes, match the tag - that has the part #.
    ALL 540iT’s that came to the USA have the same transmission. I don’t know if the torque converters are the same between sport and non sport ( for e38 applications the sport ( 3.15 ratio cars ) are different from non sport.

  7. #7
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    OK, I finally was able to get under the car and check the number. It's BMW part# 24001423304 as was indicated in the pdf you linked to earlier. https://www.meeknet.co.uk/Gen_BMW/ZF..._Procedure.pdf

    Now when I look up the last 7 digits of my VIN in RealOEM it comes up as 24001423305. I can't find any info that ...305 superseded ...304
    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=24_0718

    It would seem unlikely that I'm going to be able to find 540 Touring Automatic with less than 100k, but a sedan or 740 might be possible.
    Here is one from a 540 sedan
    https://www.lkqonline.com/2000-BMW-5...D/-i~201611902

    But when I run the VIN on RealOEM there are 2 options for auto transmissions with one being the ...305 with option S204A=Yes
    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=24_0718

    So now with the VIN I look up the above VIN in a decoder, that car did not come with a the S204A option.

    In the end it looks like I will either need to find a 540 touring to be sure I get the right one or try a 540 sedan or 740 with a S204A option. Of course one of the LKQ options I found last week that was S204A is now gone, but at least now I think I know what I'm looking for. I still don't know why RealOEM has 24001423305 instead of 24001423304.

  8. #8
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    I invite CPHES or anybody else to correct me but I think the only difference between the TE vs TF is high-stall torque converter (which basically only/always goes with the short-diff rear) which AFAIU is basically to keep the launch roadspeed characteristics feel roughly the same with the short-diff, and to ensure no chance of actually stalling the car when you ease into the throttle really slowly

    If that's the case:

    1. Were you going to swap the TC were you just buying the box? If just the box then you should have no worries.

    2. You should be able to get your current high-stall TC rebuilt, right? So send yours out and get it back, and you're fine. Of course that's more money but it gets you a 'new' TC instead of a used up one.

    3. If you WERE to swap the non-HS converter on there, I doubt if its a massive difference. With a lower stall converter the car will start rolling at a slightly lower RPM, and generally that means launching a little 'softer' which is why the drag guys always want the high-stall setups. Maybe not ideal but wouldn't be end of the world. And I doubt those TC's are hugely different.

    I always regret my solid excellent touring tranny & TC going to a massive douchebag (my 540iT setup went into an E38 BTW, and not a short-diff one...) but I hadn't had an offer and wanted to see it gone...
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
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  9. #9
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    1. My plan was to swap the entire unit with TC. My current 540 has 181K on it, so it makes sense to do both.
    2. That's a possibility if it it is true TE equals TF.
    3. I'm going to try to avoid this. It's my "extra" car, so I'm no hurry. I've had the car for 10 months and I have only put 1,200 miles on it. 500 of that was to pick the car up when I bought it. I'm anxious to get it back on the road, but I can wait some more. It's so much more fun to drive that the I6 versions I've had.

    I regret you sold it too.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by KRUZNBY View Post
    I regret you sold it too.
    Yeah. I mean I got money for it (stupid a-hole got a decent deal tho') I just wish it ended up in the hands of a better person and installed in a better car. It deserved better and I'd have rather hooked up somebody who was a solid E39 (or E38) guy. Car it went into was ghetto modded with rubber band tires on giant hoopty chrome wheels, and a mod where the dual exhaust had been brought out through holes in the sides of the bumper cover. Oh guess what happens when you do some nasty cheezy crap like that? Do you think the exhaust pipe might melt the bumper cover around it!? Oh gee how did that happen!?!? Guy was such a chump. Even tried to talk me down when already I gave him a good deal. I shouldn't have gotten started #rantrantrant.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  11. #11
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    I agree with GG. Realoem shows the TE for non sport, and TF for sport - your lkq doner car is a non sport - hence TE car. I think you will be fine.

  12. #12
    geargrinder's Avatar
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    Except CP - all USA 540i Tourings got the short diff, Sport or Non. Also got the upgraded half shafts by the way.
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    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
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  13. #13
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    Just to follow up, I ended up finding an exact match on eBay with supposedly 117k miles and tested. The seller is willing to use freight to ship it. Hopefully it will work out, but you never know.
    Last edited by KRUZNBY; 02-07-2019 at 04:19 PM.

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