JDM E36 Transmission issues. HELP!

[el_fefes]

Hello,

So my 92 (manufactured in 91) 325i's transmission is toast. I took it to a mechanic who said he would order a used transmission from edmonton and that this transmission from a 93 would fit with some minor adjustments.

I've taken my car to his shop a few times and I remember mentioning the car was imported...when I call him today he tells me that I didn't tell him that the car was imported and that the transmission doesn't fit because the transmission for the Japanese models is different. (Isn't this his mistake? Don't these things have a specific part number in order to avoid mistakes like this?)

Later on he calls me and says that he could not find the Japanese type anywhere and that rebuilding the old transmission will cost me $2800.

I find it kind of weird that BMW would make a different transmissions for different countries. So my question is it true that Japanese models have a different transmission? And what would you guys recommend I do? Sell for parts? Go ahead with rebuild etc etc?

Any help is appreciated and sorry about the long post.

el_fefes

[97'Scort]

They're all built in Germany, end of story. Same tranny too.

www.realoem.com for part numbers.

For $2800 you could get a wrecked donor car from Japan and swap the tranny if you're that concerned. But no, it's the same part.

[AllGoNoShow]

Same part.

What shop did you take it too?

[Pahnda]

I'm in Japan now and have looked at the BMWs here; sorry you have to get it from Japan because as they say here "it's too sweet for north american markets". What they do is bless the cars at the temples when they arrive and sprinkle fairy dust on them to bless it with drivetrains and transmissions of no power loss.

Good luck
:dunno:

[three.eighteen.]

your mechanic is an idiot..all he has to do is install a USDM tranny backwards...

srsly though...he is an idiot or just doesn't want to admit that he couldn't find the transmission he promised you

[410440]

Install it backwards. then 5th becomes 1st, 4th becomes 2nd and so on.

[el_fefes]

I forgot to mention mine is an automatic and LHD too. So the install should be straight forward no?

[benyl]

JDM cars require special keys. I don't know if you can get it fixed here.

[Eleanor]

Man, no one on this forum gets any help as soon as those three letters come out, :rofl:

[Weapon_R]

Try checking car-parts.com and see what you can find there. The prices are high, but you'll find a tranny for much less than 2800

[black01]

JDM cars require special tools, the only way to fix it is to take it to a JDM specialty shop

[el_fefes]

Thanks to the people that helped. I'll be giving him a call today and will post updates. :)

[97'Scort]

Make sure you ignore the sarcasm here ;)

[e36bmw///]

nm

[el_fefes]

Well it turns out the transmission is the European version. BMW can order it for ~$6000 :eek: so I am getting the old transmission rebuilt by my mechanic.

[97'Scort]

Care to enlighten us on the differences?

[PrezeS_PL]

I got my tyranny in pathfinder rebuild at 145 kms, $1800, after the six months warranty expired, tranny crap out, because it was only week after warranty had ended AASTRO rebuild the tranny for $1100 and give me new six month warranty. Again tranny only lasted six months, we put $1000 unit from wracked suv with unknown kms and friend of my is driving it to this day (3-4 years since).
Either AASTRO doesn't know how to rebuild the tranny or I had a really bad luck.
I will never ever get the tranny rebuild again, either used unit or new.

Go 5 speed,

[scat19]

um this car is of german manufacture? lol

[qmf]

Originally posted by el_fefes
Well it turns out the transmission is the European version. BMW can order it for ~$6000 :eek: so I am getting the old transmission rebuilt by my mechanic.

Get a used one, there sealed units so rebuilding isnt the best idea....

[marko polo]

take your car to a different shop, that knows what they are doing. maybe someone that specializes in bmw's:dunno:

[cocoabrova]

I think the problem is that your motor is the early M50 (non-Vanos), and the later version(s) of the M50 had Vanos (from late 92 ish and up), which would most likely mean that the trannys are different. I bet if your mechanic searched for an early M50 auto tranny he'd have found one because there's alot of them around, especially in BC, in fact I bet your tranny is pretty much the same as an early E34 525i tranny too.....Good luck and hope it all works out for ya:thumbsup:

[GT4rally]

Originally posted by e36bmw///
yo buddy
if u want to make it a standard, i used to have a parts car
a 318i with a 5spd tranny, that i sold to a member on here
he just wanted the engine and said if ppl want, he willpart
let me know, ill get u his number

A 4-cylinder tranny won't work with a 6.

[PrezeS_PL]

Originally posted by GT4rally


A 4-cylinder tranny won't work with a 6.

I have everything to make the 6 cyl a 5 speed, from tranny to clutch pedal and gear lever, but I think hes rebuilding the old auto

[hafaru]

I think I have the same car as you: '91 built E36 325i automatic imported from Japan?

By now, you've probably had your transmission rebuilt but I thought I'd mention that, yes, I do think it's a different transmission, built, I understand, by JATCO ... did you ever find out for sure?