2nd Gear blew up... Help

[acidfire52]

Hi guys. Need some help. I have a 1993 525i with a 5 speed.

Went to the bank today, and when I left, shifted into 2nd, and BANG. Nothing.

Pulled over, put it in 1st, goes just fine. 3rd, 4th, reverse all ok. nothing in 2nd.
Am guessing I need to replace the tranny, can you all help with which ones I can out in there. Will one from a 3 series work? It is a Getrag 250 correct?

THanks guys. :(

[indierthanthou]

sounds like a synchronizer

[DanDombrowski]

one from a 3 series will work as long as its a Getrag. The model is S5d-250G.

If you search my name on here, you'll find lots of posts regarding this, as I've recently had the same thing happen to me.

All in all, I ended up purchasing a reman unit from Vines for $700 + shipping. As for putting it in, well, I'd be interested to see what you get quoted to have the work done. Right now, most places are quoting a good bit higher than I'm willing to pay, so I think I'm going to have to do the work myself.

Where are you located?

And yes, you blew the syncro. Time for new transmission (or sell the car).

[acidfire52]

after doing a bunch of reading, sounds like it. Seems sorta common.

How hard are these things to rebuild? Place to get rebuild kit?

Also, looks like a 325 tranny will fit too... Any thoughts?

[acidfire52]

one from a 3 series will work as long as its a Getrag. The model is S5d-250G.

If you search my name on here, you'll find lots of posts regarding this, as I've recently had the same thing happen to me.

All in all, I ended up purchasing a reman unit from Vines for $700 + shipping. As for putting it in, well, I'd be interested to see what you get quoted to have the work done. Right now, most places are quoting a good bit higher than I'm willing to pay, so I think I'm going to have to do the work myself.

Where are you located?

And yes, you blew the syncro. Time for new transmission (or sell the car).

Lol.. I just finished reading your post on BF.com... $700 does not sound terrible... I would be doing the work myself with assitance from a family member that does this kind of thing for a living. Only sucky part will be no access to a lift. :( Will be doing this soon, will let you know how it goes.

Oh yeah.. I am in Denver, co

[DanDombrowski]

Yeah, the problem was that most junkyards (that even know what a BEEE- EM - DUB-a-yer was) were quoted like $500 for a trans with 120k miles on it. Granted, they should be much cheaper, but I eventually got tired of looking.

[acidfire52]

Well, just called Vines, their price has gone up to $850....

Am thinking about getting another car with a blown engine now and swaping that... Not sure what to do now. :( :(

[Dave M]

Is it a

S5D 250G (http://cgi.ebay.ca/BMW-e36-325i-328i-manual-5-speed-transmission-Getrag_W0QQitemZ130077271550QQihZ003QQcategoryZ337 33QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) ?

[colo525i]

Couldn't you also swap in a s5d-310z from the earlier m50 525 or 530i? Or would that have some other incompatibility (driveshaft etc)?. Just trying to provide more options.

[Dave M]

Couldn't you also swap in a s5d-310z from the earlier m50 525 or 530i? Or would that have some other incompatibility (driveshaft etc)?. Just trying to provide more options.

530 uses the 310Z? Good question about compatability, it might make finding one easier. I have a 310 in the 525 and just found one on e-bay, but it was ~$800 ;(

[acidfire52]

Well, a yard locally has a Getrag 250 out of a 325 for abour $550. Think I am just going to do that. Crappy thing is I do not have access to a lift. Guess I am going to have to yank the engine too... :( :( :(

[colo525i]

acid, i am in denver metro, what junkyard is it?

[Dave M]

Well, a yard locally has a Getrag 250 out of a 325 for abour $550. Think I am just going to do that. Crappy thing is I do not have access to a lift. Guess I am going to have to yank the engine too... :( :( :(

Is the tranny in or out of the 325?

If its out, you don't need a lift to swap yours out, just jack stands and a friend :D.

Dave

[acidfire52]

Is the tranny in or out of the 325?

If its out, you don't need a lift to swap yours out, just jack stands and a friend :D.

Dave

Oh really?? That is a huge plus. It is out. Did not think I could get the tranny out the bottom without a life.. Best news I have had all day. :D

[DanDombrowski]

Hmm. Mine was 850 as well, but 150 of that is core charge that I'll get bck when I finish the rear end and get the transmission swapped and the old one sent back.

[Jeff N.]

Oh really?? That is a huge plus. It is out. Did not think I could get the tranny out the bottom without a life.. Best news I have had all day. :D
.

It's not that bad if you have a little experience. Can't speak for a 525, but on a 535 the worst part is pulling the dumb exhaust.

Take a little extra time while you're in there and pull the the flywheel and do the rear main seal and then put a new clutch in too.

[acidfire52]

Well, get it swapped this last weekend. Was not really all that hard. Used a forklift to lift it in the air. :p

Looks like I got a 200G as a replacement as I needed to tap a couple holes for the mounts and lengthen the shifter linkage about 1/2 inch. All in all not too bad.

Now I just need to tear the old one a part and see what broke. :D

[DanDombrowski]

Wow, congrats for getting the trans out. I STILL haven't done mine, I've got the rear end of the car torn apart right now for suspension work.

I found a guy locally that builds race BMWs that said he would do it on a Saturday for $200-250. I'd love to have the pride to say I swapped the tranny, but I can't beat a deal like that.

Did you have a friend to help you lift the tranny out, or were you able to pull it yourself?

[acidfire52]

I had help yeah.. Attached a pic of how we lifted it. ;)

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5294/carliftwj9.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=carliftwj9.jpg)

Actually worked great. MUCH better than crawling around under it.

[DanDombrowski]

Oh my.