Drivetrain

Gearbox

Manual

A range of gearboxes were used in the E30.

Manual Gearboxes

	Four-Speed	Five-Speed
	316 318i	316 316i 318i 320i 324d	323i Sport	318iS	323i 324td 325e 325i 325iX	325i Sport
1st	3.76	3.72	3.76	3.72	3.83	3.72
2nd	2.04	2.02	2.33	2.02	2.20	2.02
3rd	1.32	1.32	1.61	1.32	1.40	1.32
4th	1.00	1.00	1.23	1.00	1.00	1.00
5th		0.81	1.00	0.80	0.81	0.80
Reverse	4.10	3.45	4.10	3.71	3.46	3.46
	Getrag 242	Getrag 240 or 242/5	Getrag 245	Getrag 260		Getrag 260/5

Notice the similar ratios between the Getrag 240 and the Getrag 260/5. This means that for those replacing their M20B20 engine with the more powerful M20B25, Sports performance can be achieving by keeping the original gearbox.

However, don't let parts sellers convince you that the boxes are identical. Getrag gearboxes can be identified by looking for the serial number stamped around the edge of the bell housing. This number should also contain letters, which will identify the following boxes:

• Getrag 240 - MN or BMV
• Getrag 242 - LF, MD or BMU
• Getrag 242/5 - AY, AW or LG
• Getrag 245 - BJ
• Getrag 260 - NW, ANB or TNW
• Getrag 260/5 - TNN or HM

Automatic

Automatic Gearboxes

	Three-Speed	Four-Speed
	316 318i	320i 323i	325i
1st	2.48	2.73	2.48
2nd	1.48	1.56	1.48
3rd	1.00	1.00	1.00
4th		0.73	0.73
Reverse	2.09	2.09	2.09
	ZF 3 HP 22	ZF 4 HP 22

Differential

Main article: Differentials