E12 528i

[Rory535i]

Just got hold of an old E12 528i 4 speed manual and i was wondering what type of gearbox it is? is it used in any other bmw's such as the E21? I'm assuming it will bolt up to a 3.5 M30?? don't worry, it's not going into a 5er, just a cheap project at the moment!

[grave77]

ur gonna get trouble finding the clutch disk plate, its discontinued ... i had the 5spd tranny of the e28 on my 5er its clutch disk was an impossible missiin to find. i dont know what makes it better than newer trannies .. good luck

[willobmw]

The Ole E12, Great bulletproof cars. I've owned three of them. Got both kids thru high school. Can't help you with the clutch because mine have all been slush boxes. Go to Firstfives.org for more info on the 3.5 conversion. You will find plenty. I never consider the swap myself, the 2.8 is more than enough in the lighter body plus the suspension will need to be brought up to snuff to really handle the extra power. For the money some spend to do it, I can get a nice used e30. When I want to go faster, I just crank up the 535i.:D
Willobmw
1990 535i
1981 528i 88k original miles
1975 2002

[Bellicose Right Winger]

It's a Getrag, Model 262 I believe. Same MT was used in Bavaria's, 3.0's, 530i's. I swapped the AT in my '80 528i with one. Clutch parts seem to be readily available in US. It should bolt to any M30, but it won't have the holes for the flywheel sensors the early DME's required.

Paul Shovestul



Just got hold of an old E12 528i 4 speed manual and i was wondering what type of gearbox it is? is it used in any other bmw's such as the E21? I'm assuming it will bolt up to a 3.5 M30?? don't worry, it's not going into a 5er, just a cheap project at the moment!

[grave77]

the housing of the tranny is the problem, you cant get a flywheel that fits the clutch harness.. I would tell you Rory to login to realoem.com and see the parts u need ... they will tell u which are still in use and which are discontinued.