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Who makes the auto transmission, ZF, Getrag, General Motors?

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Old 02-10-2011 | 08:34 AM
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I've read that the auto transmission has been made by General Motors for BMW in the last few years. Is this true?
Old 02-10-2011 | 09:03 AM
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I'm new to the E60 having just purchased a CPO'd 2009 535i X Drive w/ 24K miles 2 weeks ago. I don't know about the E60 transmission wise but I know on the E90 3's, the 328 uses a GM transmission & the 335 uses a ZF, one of the additional reasons (besides the N54 motor) that I went with the 335 over the 328. I'm not going to spend $50K on a BMW and get a GM transmission if I can help it.

jkz
Old 02-10-2011 | 09:34 AM
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The transmission in the E60 is the ZF 6HP26. The GM units haven't been used in the 5 series since the E39.
Old 02-10-2011 | 09:37 AM
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Interesting to note from wikipedia, "the ZF 6HP26 itself is rated for a maximum input torque of 600 newton metres (443 ft·lbf)".
Old 02-10-2011 | 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by a42kracer
Interesting to note from wikipedia, "the ZF 6HP26 itself is rated for a maximum input torque of 600 newton metres (443 ft·lbf)".
BMW use various different versions in their cars. I know you don't the diesels over there but they are the ones I can compare. The 530d and 535d have transmissions rated up to 600nm, the lower diesel engines (525d and 520d) get a transmission rated to 400nm. I would imagine the V8s would get the heavier transmission and the 6 cylinder petrols the 400nm one but I don't know that for sure.
Old 02-10-2011 | 09:57 AM
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Bimmerfest:

- GA6HP19Z (designed for maximum torque of 400 Nm)
- GA6HP19Z TU (designed for maximum torque of 400 Nm)
- GA6HP26Z (designed for maximum torque of 600 Nm)
- GA6HP26Z TU (designed for maximum torque of 650 Nm)
- GA6HP32Z (designed for maximum torque of 750 Nm)
Old 02-10-2011 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Theo
Bimmerfest:

- GA6HP19Z (designed for maximum torque of 400 Nm)
- GA6HP19Z TU (designed for maximum torque of 400 Nm)
- GA6HP26Z (designed for maximum torque of 600 Nm)
- GA6HP26Z TU (designed for maximum torque of 650 Nm)
- GA6HP32Z (designed for maximum torque of 750 Nm)
They are max the transmissions are designed for and not all are built to the max spec. The 6hp26z in the 520/525d is only rated for 400nm.
Old 02-10-2011 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Dandle
They are max the transmissions are designed for and not all are built to the max spec. The 6hp26z in the 520/525d is only rated for 400nm.
Ah ok, isn't that just a case of attaching a differently rated converter to the transmission or is there more to it?
Old 02-10-2011 | 11:26 AM
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I really don't know TBH. I only know the box is rated lower because alot or remapers warn of going to high on those cars. It's been discussed on UK forums a fair bit but I've never seen anything to show the actual differences.
Old 02-10-2011 | 12:10 PM
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Like has been said, BMW has used a mixture of ZF and GM transmissions in several BMW models. Most notably, the 3 series. My '99 E46 ( B25TU) had a GM transmission and my '00 E46 (B25TU) came with a ZF transmission. Generally, the GM transmissions have a higher torque rating than the ZF and are considered a little more durable. However, the concensus seems to be that the ZF boxes exhibit a better shift quality. Recently, BMW has slashed the quantities of transmissions purchased from GM (GM boxes are made in France).


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