FAQ E28 Transmissions, an overview

[Mike W.]

This content has moved to the WIki: Drivetrain - The E28 Wiki
 

[go4carter]

Thanks for this great FAQ. Very handy.

4HP22EH 4 speed automatic, electronically controlled. Optional on M30 cars starting in 86, it has a choice of 3 different shift patterns, economy, normal and sport.

Not quite true. The three modes are:
Economy (normal shifts)
Sport (higher shift points are selected depending on the level of throttle input)
1-2-3 (manumatic mode - You are able to bump-shift through gears without depressing the lock button - OD/4th is not accessible)

[Justin_FL]

I took the liberty to add some BBCode formatting to increase readability and made some minor styling consistent throughout the writeup. Hope you don't mind.

[nightmare_v2]

STICKY!

[ElGuappo]

Great post Mike, thanks for taking the time.

[Murfinator]

It was used on E23 745i's, so BMW had some confidence in it’s capability.

I believe they were offered with the 4HP-22EH.
From BMW M Registry: "Most examples of the South African-spec 745i were equipped with a computer-controlled ZF four-speed automatic transmission with Sport, Economy and Manual shift point modes mated to a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and limited slip differential. Unlike the German-built 745i, the South African version was also offered with a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox with a "dogleg" shift pattern and the following ratios: 3.72 (1), 2.40 (2), 1.77 (3), 1.24 (4), 1.00 (5). These were equipped with a 3.45:1 rear end with limited slip."
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=4#3

The dogleg version would be sweet. The ones I've driven all had the electronically controlled 4spd auto.

[BRRV]

With regards your note concerning the G260/6 and the flywheel sensor 'holes' - does your note say that the E34-sourced transmissions don't have them, or, am I misreading this? I would assume that all E28's with this transmission would indeed have the sensor fittings in the case - otherwise, it's a transmission from an E34, right?

Excellent write-up. Thanks!

[derrith]

It was used on E23 745i's, so BMW had some confidence in it’s capability.

I believe they were offered with the 4HP-22EH.
From BMW M Registry: "Most examples of the South African-spec 745i were equipped with a computer-controlled ZF four-speed automatic transmission with Sport, Economy and Manual shift point modes mated to a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and limited slip differential. Unlike the German-built 745i, the South African version was also offered with a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox with a "dogleg" shift pattern and the following ratios: 3.72 (1), 2.40 (2), 1.77 (3), 1.24 (4), 1.00 (5). These were equipped with a 3.45:1 rear end with limited slip."
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=4#3

The dogleg version would be sweet. The ones I've driven all had the electronically controlled 4spd auto.

Yes, but the SA 745i was not m102 or m106 powered. It was equipped with the engine from the m5 and m6.

[wkohler]

Still, the regular 745s had the EH tranny.

[wkohler]

I say we sticky this.

[pldlnr]

I say we sticky this.

+1

[Mike W.]

I took the liberty to add some BBCode formatting to increase readability and made some minor styling consistent throughout the writeup. Hope you don't mind.

Mind? No, not at all, it looks much better. Thank you!

Edit; I made some changes on the 745i references.

[Brad D.]

I think this is worthy of putting in the Tech FAQ instead of making it a sticky.

[Jeremy]

Often incorrectly called a 262 close ratio or dogleg

Calling the close ratio 265 a dogleg isn't incorrect at all as it has a dogleg first gear.

[GermanlookT3]

AWESOME POST! 8)

[1st 5er]

I'd expect nothing less from Mike W.

[wkohler]

Why isn't this a sticky?

[mooseheadm5]

It should be noted that there are 2 bell housing depths on the 260/5 used on the M20 engines. If you get one that does not match your clutch/flywheel thickness, you could have problems.

[Jean]

Great post, thank you

[Brad D.]

Stickied.
I thought I would add the visual ID as well as the gear ratio charts courtesy of Metric Mechanic's website.

Getrag 265/6


Getrag 260/5&6


Getrag 265/5

[MadMaverick]

Is there any difference between the 4HP22-EH between the e28 and e34? Specifically a later e28 4HP22-EH into a '90 535. The old trans is there for sensors/harness, etc.

[alijonny]

another question, I have a known good spare 260/6 that I want to swap into my 745i. I have all the parts to do the swap, the 745 already has a 260/5 with a nasty whine in 1st and a bad synchro in third. I realize there is a different shifter support, is this possible to swap over from a different shifter support without too much work involved? I suppose I would have to do driveshaft customizing too, huh?

[Canuck YYC]

There's something fishy about those Metric Mechanic gear ratios. You could get a 3.83 1st gear with a 12 / 46 tooth gear pair which is pretty normal for a transmission. To get a 3.822 ratio, you start heading into the realm of the sureal - even at a 28 / 107 gear pairing, you're not at 3.822 yet. Similar things for .810 and .813, 1.400 and 1.398 - differences that small just aren't possible within the confines of economic production and a given package space.

Edit - Beautiful post by the way.

[draztik]

I have a Getrag 260/5 from my 533i production 4/84. According to the Bentley, beginning in March 1984 the Getrag 260 0105 090 was replaced with a 260 0105 091 transmission on 533i models. The 091 used a longer release bearing than the 090. The 091 also used the same clutch as the 265 and 260/6. I know this as a fact because I just replaced mine last year when I did my engine swap. My question is since the 091 uses the same clutch as the 265 and 260/6 would this mean that the M5 clutch will work?[/list]

[kohlmetoba]

Hi there knowledgable people of mye28. I have a warped 3rd gear in my 1984 533i and was planning to replace it. I learnt from various sources that I needed a Getrag 260/5, so i decided to get one off craigslist, I got a decent one from some guy on CL but upon telling my mechanic to fit it in? he says its the wrong tranny that the bell housing is wrong and he keeps saying the tranny is too long Idk exactly what is wrong cos i thought this tranny was fairly universal, if anyone needs it in the LA area u can come check it out and pick it up for 200.

[wkohler]

Hi there knowledgable people of mye28. I have a warped 3rd gear in my 1984 533i and was planning to replace it. I learnt from various sources that I needed a Getrag 260/5, so i decided to get one off craigslist, I got a decent one from some guy on CL but upon telling my mechanic to fit it in? he says its the wrong tranny that the bell housing is wrong and he keeps saying the tranny is too long Idk exactly what is wrong cos i thought this tranny was fairly universal, if anyone needs it in the LA area u can come check it out and pick it up for 200.

There are a couple different 260/5s. There's the one for the M30 (what's in your 533) and then it was also used in the '83-on 528e. They're not interchangeable. You need one from an M30 car, so contact who I told you to contact.

[e28stian]

The aluminium shifter console from the getrag 260/6 is compatible with the alu console from the m20 mounted 240 boxes belonging in e30 cars. Just thought i would add this info.

[trav3000]

Does the auto 4hp 22eh tranny also have the burn up problem when revving in park?

[Jeremy]

Does the auto 4hp 22eh tranny also have the burn up problem when revving in park?

Park or neutral. Unless the transmission has been repaired and updated, all 4hp22 transmissions share that problem. Even if you have one with the "fix", I still wouldn't rev it in park or neutral.

[trav3000]

Does the auto 4hp 22eh tranny also have the burn up problem when revving in park?

Park or neutral. Unless the transmission has been repaired and updated, all 4hp22 transmissions share that problem. Even if you have one with the "fix", I still wouldn't rev it in park or neutral.

ahhhhh. but the exhaust sounds so good