QuestionQUESTION: ok, i have a 1987 320i bmw and the transmission is pretty much gone, and i would just like to know if it has a compatible transmission to any other e30's cause rebuilding the one i have is gonna break the bank
(oh, and i just found out that the car was imported from France)
ANSWER: Tough one..... Let me get a few answers from you before we go further....
1. Is it an automatic or manual?
2. Is there ANY kind of part number you can get from the transmission? Would let us know if the France issue is relevant.
I believe we'll find there are other transmissions that will plug-and-play with this one.
Is this a project you'll be doing yourself?
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: ok, its an automatic.... i cant get any kind of numbers from the tranny; the best i can do is a VIN. I dont know if the france issue is relevant, i just found out today that it was imported. The problem is that i have not found any 320i's in north America so if there aren't any transmissions that are compatible, I'm going to have to get one from Europe :(
The car is not a project.... its a daily driver that is really reliable and has only 150,0XX clicks.....
The car is making a high pitched squealing sound from the transmission area and the inspection light is on. Could it be anything else beside the transmission?
AnswerI came across this, which is probably a good clue to what your transmission is also used in:
BMW Specifications
BMW E30 Sedan
Model: Engine: Power: Topspeed: Year:
316 M10 4 cylinder 90 HP 180 km/h 1982 - 1987
316i M10 4 cylinder 102 HP 182 km/h 1987 - 1988
316i M40 4 cylinder 100 HP 182 km/h 1988 - 1991
318i M10 4 cylinder 105 HP 178 km/h 1982 - 1987
318i M40 4 cylinder 113 HP 188 km/h 1987 - 1991
318is M42 4 cylinder 136 HP 202 km/h 1989 - 1991
320i M20 6 cylinder 125 HP 197 km/h 1982 - 1985
320i M20 6 cylinder 129 HP 198 km/h 1985 - 1991
320is S14 4 cylinder 192 HP 225 km/h 1989 - 1990
323i M20 6 cylinder 139 HP 205 km/h 1982 - 1984
323i M20 6 cylinder 150 HP 205 km/h 1984 - 1985
325i M20 6 cylinder 170 HP 220 km/h 1985 - 1991
325e M20 6 cylinder 122 HP 198 km/h 1985 - 1987
325ix M20 6 cylinder 170 HP 212 km/h 1985 - 1991
333i M30 6 cylinder 197 HP 250 km/h 1985 - 1987
324d M21 6 cylinder 86 HP 165 km/h 1985 - 1991
324td M21 6 cylinder 115 HP 187 km/h 1987 - 1991
BMW E30 Touring
Model: Engine: Power: Topspeed: Year:
316i M40 4 cylinder 100 HP 179 km/h 1991 - 1994
318i M40 4 cylinder 113 HP 188 km/h 1989 - 1994
320i M20 6 cylinder 129 HP 196 km/h 1987 - 1991
325i M20 6 cylinder 170 HP 214 km/h 1987 - 1992
325ix M20 6 cylinder 170 HP 208 km/h 1987 - 1991
324td M21 6 cylinder 115 HP 187 km/h 1987 - 1992
BMW E30 Convertible
Model: Engine: Power: Topspeed: Year:
318i M40 4 cylinder 113 HP 187 km/h 1991 - 1993
320i M20 6 cylinder 129 HP 195 km/h 1986 - 1993
325i M20 6 cylinder 170 HP 216 km/u 1986 - 1993
It's a good starting point to assume that anything using using your m20 engine also uses your transmission. Likely some (all?)of the other models do to.
Try www.Vinesauto.com for what a used transmission would run.
Your last comment is very relevent: YES it could be something else. I don't know enough about e30's, but would recommend you have it checked. Could be something a lot more minor.
The e30's were great cars....enjoy yours, and let me know what you find! (and let me know if you need more assistance)
