E36 boxes. NEW Problem! - flywheel differences 3/2/12

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:35 pm

hi all,

I've been searching everywhere but not getting much luck!

I've found a decent priced gearbox to replace mine in the 36. According to realOEM:

Mine: S5D 320Z - THMW
Possible replacement: S5d 320Z - THDU.

The donor is from a 1995 328i sport coupe
Mine is a May 1999 323i sport touring.

As far as I can tell mine is probably Getrag and the donor ZF? Anyone confirm this? If they are different, how would it affect the install and would the rations be all buggered up?

Thanks for any input.

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:53 pm

Different props/linkage etc.

328i is a ZF, 323i is a Getrag.

Ratio's are similar, not sure if the same, with 1:1 5th.

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:09 pm

nice one mate.

But. It has the gear linkages so all i need is a prop? As long as its 1:1 in 5th, thats all that matters really.

realOEM says the prop shafts are the same...:

323i: 26111227283 http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mod ... g=26&fg=05
328i: 26111227283 http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mod ... g=26&fg=05

Is realOEM always 100% correct?

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:30 pm

If one is a Getrag and one a ZF I thought they were different.. Getrag is the same box as the 325i (M50), which isn't the same prop.

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:32 pm

Yes it is correct providing the info you put in is correct.

The Getrag and ZF boxes are different like Jhonno posted but later 323i had the ZF, same as the late 325i and 328i, they all have the same prop too.

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:35 pm

booyah! Mine is a May 99 so is probably a ZF... I'll check- Do either of them have a distinguishing feature?

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:38 pm

Yeah, they have 'ZF' cast into the side

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:01 pm

I didn't realise late 325i's came with the ZF..! I wondered if it might be that the later 323i's did.

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:29 pm

Double checked by putting the VIN into realOEM and got 320Z back, so must be a ZF, although I will try and double check later.

Thanks for your help guys, invaluable as usual.

Post Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:35 pm

Very early 325i's had the ZF 310/320 box, but after mid 1992 ish went to the small Getrag 250G.

310/320Z's are used in the E34 525i, 328i and 3.0 M3 as well as 323i Tourings.

Post Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:46 pm

Well, got the replacement box. Its the same as the old one which is good.

Also got a replacement flywheel. Bolted on the new flywheel, clutch plate in, pressure plate on but the clutch is loose inside, no friction at all.

Its seems the outside of the new flywheel is thicker so even though the pressure plate is bolted on all the way, the gap is too big.

Both flywheels are the same diameter..

So, is the pressure plate or the clutch plate worn? I'm not sure, here are some pictures:

clutch (9.5mm total thickness):

two flywheels (original left, replacement right)

Which is the wrong bit!?