BMW ZF 6HP Transmission Guide

ZF 6HP · six-speed automatic · BMW designations GA6HP19Z, GA6HP26Z, GA6HP32Z · US-market cars 2001-2015 · E60, E63, E65, E70, E82, E85, E90, E92 and others

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 ZF 6HP is the six-speed automatic BMW used across its range from the early 2000s: the 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X5, X6, Z4 and 1 Series. BMW says it was developed jointly with ZF Friedrichshafen. BMW names the three versions GA6HP19Z, GA6HP26Z and GA6HP32Z, and the number after HP identifies the gearbox type, not the number of gears.

It is a different gearbox from the GM six-speed GA6L45R, which sits in some E90, E82 and E83 cars alongside it. BMW's eight-speed ZF 8HP began replacing it with cars built from 09/2009.

Quick read

• Ownership position: IAIK, from our own shop: before accepting a whole-transmission quote, ask about a mechatronic solenoid and seal repair, which IAIK estimates fixes about 9 in 10 of the cases it sees.
• Reliability: No family-wide verdict. BMW service information in our files covers the E65 and E66 only. IAIK, from our own shop: not a weak gearbox, and many faults IAIK sees trace to the mechatronic solenoids.
• Cost to own: Not established yet. IAIK estimates the mechatronic repair at roughly a fifth of the labor of a gearbox replacement.
• Power potential: BMW designed the GA6HP19Z for up to 400 Nm, the GA6HP26Z for 600 Nm (650 Nm for the updated version) and the GA6HP32Z for 750 Nm. Output beyond that is not established.
• Main watch item: Which version you have. BMW lists lifetime ATF 2 for all three, but the capacity and the service kit differ by car.

ZF 6HP At a Glance

Technical Specifications

The Insider Read

IAIK means IA-insiders knowledge. Our collected BMW technical and ownership notes.

In IAIK's experience the 6HP is not a weak gearbox. When a dealer quotes a whole new transmission, IAIK finds that is often because the gearbox internals are ZF's, and the repairs open to the dealer are the mechatronic unit or a replacement gearbox.

Many of the faults IAIK sees in our shop come from sticking or failing solenoids in the mechatronic unit. IAIK has fixed this twice by replacing the mechatronic solenoids and internal seals, after which the gearbox relearned and shifted correctly.

IAIK estimates this repair works about 9 times in 10, at roughly a fifth of the labor of a gearbox replacement; both figures are IAIK estimates, not BMW data.

Worn internal seals in the mechatronic unit can starve the solenoids of fluid, so IAIK replaces the seals and solenoids together rather than coming back for a second job.

In IAIK's experience the seal and solenoid kits are matched to the mechatronic unit's part number, so that number is the first thing to record.

IAIK notes the job also needs the oil pan, which carries the filter, and fresh fluid. BMW's parts data lists the oil pan with filter as a kit, 24 15 2 333 907 for the GA6HP19Z and 24 15 2 333 903 for the GA6HP26Z, and the fluid as ATF 2, 83 22 2 305 396; Service Parts at a Glance has the other versions.

After the repair the adaptations are reset, and in IAIK's experience the gearbox relearns the driver's style over roughly 250-500 miles.

Which BMWs Have It

Variants

• GA6HP19Z: the version for the six-cylinder cars, including N52, N54 and N55 engines. BMW also lists a TU version with the same 400 Nm design torque.
• GA6HP26Z: the mid-torque version, in the N62 545i, 550i, 645Ci, 650i, 745i, 750i and the N63 X6 50i and F01 750i. BMW lists a TU version rated at 650 Nm.
• GA6HP32Z: the highest-torque version, 750 Nm. It is named for the E65 and E66 in BMW technical data.
• BMW's own parts data disagrees with itself on a few cars: for the E70 X5 M, the E71 X6 M, the E70 X5 xDrive35d built 04/2010-06/2013 and the F01 740i and F02 740Li with the N54 (built 03/2010-06/2012), the parts-data fluid table lists an 8HP, but parts-catalog fluid fitment lists ATF 2, the fluid for this 6HP family, and the GA6HP26Z filter kit is listed for the X5 M and X6 M. Until that is settled, check the gearbox label on these cars. The E71 X6 xDrive50i is listed with both ATF 2 and ATF 3+.

Doing the fluid service? Our 6HP19 service kit and 6HP26 service kit each have the ZF pan with filter, 7 L of fluid, new pan bolts and the connector sleeve in one box. Check your gearbox with the lookups above, or send us your VIN and we'll confirm the kit.

Service Parts at a Glance

These BMW part numbers were looked up in BMW parts data. The oil pan with filter is a kit. Catalog fitment shows which models each kit is listed for. Use the catalog list and the gearbox code together, because the GM six-speed shares many of these models.

Known Failure Points and Service Items

Items 01 to 03 are backed by a BMW document; item 04 is IAIK shop experience. Frequency is not established. An NHTSA recall search on sample US model years from 2006 to 2011 found no recall naming the 6HP. NHTSA recall 05V504000 (2006 X5, faulty parking pawl guide plate) does not name the gearbox; the 2006-era X5 was built with either the GM5 or this gearbox, so see the hub page.

01 Torque converter lock-up fault, E65 and E66

BMW service information says some E65 and E66 cars with the GA6HP26Z or GA6HP32Z could have a faulty converter clutch. It covers E65 and E66 with M57, N62 and N73 engines built up to January 2003, or up to transmission serial number 124057, and E65 cars with the M67 up to November 2002. BMW's remedy is to replace the torque converter and top up with new transmission fluid. Watch for a judder at light throttle or while coasting, with fault code 4F53 stored.

02 Mechatronics protective bar, E65 and E66

A BMW bulletin says the mechatronic module with a protective bar for solenoid valve 2 is the only version approved for replacement or reuse on the E65 and E66 with the GA6HP26Z or GA6HP32Z. Modules without the bar must not be reused after removal. It covers cars from the start of production until about July 2003.

03 Emergency release change (service item)

The mechanical emergency release inside the cabin was phased out on the GA6HP cars in stages from 2010, so on later cars the release can only be reached from underneath, and BMW says the electric release that followed is for dealer workshops only. It is not approved for customers or for towing.

04 Mechatronic solenoids and internal seals (IAIK, shop experience)

IAIK sees sticking or failing mechatronic solenoids behind many 6HP faults in our shop, along with worn internal mechatronic seals that starve the solenoids of fluid. IAIK's repair replaces the solenoids and seals together, with a new pan and filter and fresh ATF 2, then resets the adaptations; the success and labor figures in The Insider Read are IAIK estimates.

Reliability Verdict

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

IAIK, from our own shop, does not see the 6HP as a weak gearbox and puts many of its faults down to the mechatronic solenoids and seals; that is IAIK shop experience, not a failure rate.

Power Potential

Not established yet beyond BMW's design torque ratings: 400 Nm, 600 Nm, 650 Nm and 750 Nm by version.

Cost of Ownership

Not established yet.

Common Questions

What BMWs have the ZF 6HP automatic?

BMW parts data lists a GA6HP19Z, GA6HP26Z or GA6HP32Z in US E60, E61, E63, E64, E65, E66, E70, E71, E82, E84, E85, E86, E88, E89, E90, E91, E92, E93, F01 and F02 cars built between 2001 and 2015.

What fluid does a ZF 6HP use?

BMW specifies ATF 2, a lifetime fluid, for the GA6HP19Z, GA6HP26Z and GA6HP32Z. The BMW part number is 83 22 2 305 396 in parts data from December 2019.

Can I mix ATF 2 with other automatic transmission fluids?

No. BMW says the lifetime oil must not be mixed with or replaced by other types of automatic transmission fluid, because this can cause transmission failure.

How much fluid does a GA6HP19Z hold?

BMW parts data gives a 9.5 liter fill for the GA6HP19Z cars. BMW technical data gives a total volume of about 9.0 to 10 liters for the GA6HP19Z and GA6HP26Z.

What torque can a GA6HP19Z handle?

BMW designed the GA6HP19Z for a maximum torque of 400 Nm, and the GA6HP26Z for 600 Nm.

Sources

• BMW service documentation: transmission designations and maker table.
• BMW Service Technology 24 01 03 (040): 6-speed automatic transmission.
• BMW Service Information SI 24 05 96 (143): automatic transmission fluids, enclosure 11.
• BMW Service Information 24 01 03 (013), 24 01 03 (974) and 24 01 10 (617): E65 and E66 bulletins and the emergency release change.
• BMW technical data: transmissions in general and filling capacities, group 24.
• BMW parts catalog data, December 2019 data date: fluid table, fitment and part numbers.