BMW 5-Speed Manual Transmission Guide

S5D 200G, S5D 250G, S5D 310Z, S5D 320Z · five-speed manual · Getrag B and ZF C gearboxes · US-market cars 1990-2006 · E34, E36, E39, E46, E53 X5 3.0i, Z3, E85 Z4 2.5i

Part of the BMW transmission guide. To find the gearbox in a particular car, use the E-series lookup or the F and G series lookup.

The five-speed manuals in US BMWs built from 1990 to 2006 come from four gearboxes: the Getrag S5D 200G or S5D 250G, which BMW calls the B gearbox, or the ZF S5D 310Z or S5D 320Z, which BMW calls the C gearbox. The six-speed manuals that followed are on a separate page.

The designation tells you more than it looks like. BMW's designation table says S means manual, 5 is the number of forward gears, D means the top gear is a direct gear, the number is the maximum input torque in Nm, and the last letter is the maker: G for Getrag, Z for ZF.

Quick read

• Ownership position: Not established yet. We are still researching how these gearboxes age in service.
• Reliability: No family-wide verdict. BMW service information in our files covers a hard-shift complaint, a sticking 5th and reverse gate and a leaking plug, all listed below. We found no NHTSA transmission recall.
• Cost to own: Not established yet.
• Power potential: BMW's designation table gives maximum input torque of 200 Nm for the S5D 200G, 250 Nm for the S5D 250G, 310 Nm for the S5D 310Z and 320 Nm for the S5D 320Z. Output beyond that is not established.
• Main watch item: Which gearbox the car has. The B gearbox holds about 1.1 liters and the C gearbox about 1.3, and the repair parts differ.

S5D Five-Speed Manuals At a Glance

Technical Specifications

Which BMWs Have Them

Build windows run from each US model type's US catalog entry or production start, whichever is later, to its production end; a gearbox change inside one type keeps the fluid-table change date. This is the same method as the lookup pages. A model that lists two gearboxes had both in the same window, for example convertible and coupe or a mid-run change.

Variants

• Getrag B (S5D 200G and S5D 250G): the lighter gearbox, in the 4-cylinder and smaller six-cylinder cars: E36 318is, 318ti, 320i, 323i and 325i, E46 320i, 323i, 325i and 325Ci, Z3 1.9 and 2.5i, E39 525i, E85 Z4 2.5i.
• ZF C (S5D 310Z and S5D 320Z): the stronger gearbox, in the E36 328i and M3, the E46 328i, 330i and all xi cars, the E39 528i and 530i, the X5 3.0i, the Z3 2.8, 3.0i and M, and the E34 525i and 530i.
• Reinforced versions: BMW marks the S5D 250G and the S5D 320Z as reinforced versions, the 320Z from 09/1995.

Fluid and Filler Plugs

Service Parts at a Glance

These BMW part numbers were looked up in BMW parts data (December 2019 data date). Shaft seals and housings are shared with other gearboxes, so use the catalog list together with the gearbox code.

Known Failure Points and Service Items

Only items a recall or a BMW document backs are listed. Frequency is not established. We found no NHTSA recall for a transmission defect on these cars.

01 Gear lever sticks in the 5th and reverse gate (C gearbox)

BMW service information 23 01 04 (063) says the selector shaft locking pin could stick in its bearing bush on cars with the ZF C gearbox, so the gear lever was hard to move into or out of the 5th and reverse gate and did not return to the center. It covers the E36 M3 including the US S52, the Z3 with the M52TU, M54, S50 and S54, the E46 with the 2.8-liter M52TU or 3.0-liter M54, the E39 with the M52TU or M54, and the E53 with the M54, built from September 1997 to December 2002. BMW's remedy is to replace the 5th and reverse locking pin bearing bushes with kit 23 11 7 542 726, and improved bushes went into production in January 2003. Watch for a lever that is stiff or stuck in that gate.

02 Hard to shift when warm (C gearbox)

BMW service information 23 01 02 (881) says that on the S5D 260Z, 280Z, 310Z and 320Z a catch pin could catch in its pilot bore, so more force was needed to leave a gear or to engage one. BMW says to consider the complaint only when the gearbox is at operating temperature. It covers the E46 with the 2.8-liter M52TU or 3.0-liter M54 and the E39 with the M52TU or M54 built up to March 2002, the E53 3.0i built up to March 2002, the Z3 with the M52TU or M54 up to March 2002, the Z3 M with the S50 or S52 up to July 2000 and with the S54 up to March 2002. BMW's remedy is a modified selector fork lock, fitted in production from April 2002, and replacing the catch pins, set 23 11 7 525 048. BMW's reimbursement for this repair ran only until March 31, 2005. Watch for a stiff shift out of gear on a warm gearbox.

03 Leaking drain plug (B gearbox)

BMW service information 00 23 03 01 says the thread flanks on the oil plugs of the S5D 200G and 250G were not made correctly, so oil could drip from the drain plug. It covers E36, E39 and E46 gearboxes built between January 1999 and January 2000. BMW's remedy is to replace both plugs, part 27 11 1 226 798, and renew the oil. Watch for oil drops at the drain plug.

Reliability Verdict

Not established yet. We are still researching this gearbox family.

Power Potential

Not established yet beyond BMW's input torque figures: 200, 250, 310 and 320 Nm by version.

Cost of Ownership

Not established yet.

Common Questions

What manual transmission does an E36 325i have?

BMW parts data lists the Getrag S5D 250G five-speed for the US E36 325i with the M50 engine, built from 10/1990 to 09/1995, with a fill of 1.1 liters.

What manual transmission does an E46 330i have?

BMW parts data lists the ZF S5D 320Z five-speed for the US E46 330i built from 06/2000 to 02/2003. Later cars list the six-speed GS6-37BZ.

What oil does a BMW S5D five-speed take?

BMW lists MTF LT-2 lifetime manual gearbox oil for the Getrag B and ZF C five-speeds, BMW part number 83 22 2 339 219 for 1 liter.

How much oil does an S5D 320Z hold?

BMW technical data gives 1.2 liters, or 1.3 liters on a first fill or a replacement gearbox, and BMW parts data gives 1.3 liters.

What does S5D 250G mean?

S is a manual gearbox, 5 is the number of forward gears, D means a direct top gear, 250 is the maximum input torque in Nm, and G means Getrag.

What is the difference between the S5D 310Z and S5D 320Z?

Both are the ZF C gearbox. BMW lists the 310Z up to 09/1995 and the 320Z, the reinforced version, from 09/1995.

Sources

• BMW service documentation: transmission designations and maker table.
• BMW Service Information SI 23 02 96 (142): manual gearbox oils, enclosures 3, 5 and 9.
• BMW Service Information 23 01 02 (881) and 23 01 04 (063): C gearbox bulletins.
• BMW Service Information 00 23 03 01: leaking plug, B gearbox.
• BMW technical data: transmissions in general, group 23.
• BMW parts catalog data, December 2019 data date: fluid table, fitment and part numbers.
• NHTSA recall database, api.nhtsa.gov, BMW recall search 1990-2014.