M20 with 5sp auto was this an option?

[wingman]

Just doing some research (checking carsales.com.au) and I keep coming across 1989 525i with the 5 speed autos. My research has led me to believe that the M50 didn't arrive in OZ cars until at least early 1990 (there's a big hoohaa in the 1990 catalogue about the 'new' multivalve head). I'm led to believe that the 5 sp auto was introduced with the M50 but this wouldn't appear so. Can any of the OZ/NZ drivers assist me please.

[wingman]

Further, I'm aware that the M30 had the 5 speed (or at least switcheable auto).

[rob101]

didn't someone say japanese 525i's came with both m50 and m20 in 1989 that could be an explanation. I've always wondered about this myself i didn't know until lately that the m50 came with 5 speed auto. An m30 with a 5 speed auto would be cool i must admit, enough to tempt even the hardcore BMW manual lovers like myself. you know you are one of those when you double clutch on almost every downshift ;)

[Bill R.]

bmw uses throughout the world you'll see that there is no country selector for Aus. so as i stated before the models going to australia are most likely the japanese market models since they are right hand drive already, I'm sure you could ask the dealer what country setting they use on the etk to determine if this is correct.
The european and japanese 89 525 models came in both the m20 and the m50. The m20 only comes with a 4 speed no matter what country code you use to look it up. The m50 in 89 came with both as choices a 4 speed auto and a 5 speed auto. So in Aus. you can have a m20 4 sp. auto or you can have a m50 4sp. or a m50 5sp. all in 89. Thats why i stated before that you really need to look at the car to see which motor is in it.






didn't someone say japanese 525i's came with both m50 and m20 in 1989 that could be an explanation. I've always wondered about this myself i didn't know until lately that the m50 came with 5 speed auto. An m30 with a 5 speed auto would be cool i must admit, enough to tempt even the hardcore BMW manual lovers like myself. you know you are one of those when you double clutch on almost every downshift ;)

[Bill R.]

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Further, I'm aware that the M30 had the 5 speed (or at least switcheable auto).

[wingman]

I find it hard to believe that BMW would sell the M50 alongside the M20 at exactly the same time. There must have been a cutoff point. The M20 was still being advertsied throughout 1989 as what came with the 525i. My error was thinking that switcheable auto only came in 5 speed. I think the cars that I have seen have switcheable 4 speed as per the 535i. If this is the same transmission as in my car can it be made switcheable?