M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: Wiker Man on January 18, 2013, 01:30:50 AM

Title: M42 transmissions all the same?
Post by: Wiker Man on January 18, 2013, 01:30:50 AM

Hey, I am back, happy new year. So I am going to do a transmission flush with new fluid and all hoping it will fix my transmission issues and slippage, some say it works miracles but I dont know.  However If it doesn't work then I will need a new gearbox (used but good working condition), I think I can get one for around $200 - $300 and pay a local garage maybe another $300 to install it for me. :(

So just in case I am looking at used transmissions. Anybody know if there is a difference in transmissions between the M42 engines and M40 engines. My car is a 1993 318is coupe (automatic). Anything I should look out for when buying a new trans, I want it properly mated with the engine and all so its important I know if they are all the same or will all be fine.

Title: M42 transmissions all the same?
Post by: keflaman on January 18, 2013, 05:49:10 PM

Did you ever find your VIN number? From what I can see on RealOEM and BMWfans, there is only one automatic transmission for the E36 M42 and the P/N is 24001421481.

Title: M42 transmissions all the same?
Post by: irish44j on January 18, 2013, 06:33:29 PM

some m42 trannies have larger input shaft diameters, so you have to use the correct input shaft bearing.

ask me how I know :)

Title: M42 transmissions all the same?
Post by: irish44j on January 18, 2013, 06:57:24 PM

some m42 trannies have larger input shaft diameters, so you have to use the correct input shaft bearing.

ask me how I know :)

Title: M42 transmissions all the same?
Post by: Wiker Man on January 18, 2013, 11:03:01 PM

I found my vin online keflaman, its WBABE62010JC00728 :)

Tell me how do you know irish, this would be interesting :D

just want to make sure I get the right trannie in case my one is really f'd.

Title: M42 transmissions all the same?
Post by: irish44j on January 21, 2013, 08:27:50 PM

Quote from: Wiker Man;119375

I found my vin online keflaman, its WBABE62010JC00728 :)

Tell me how do you know irish, this would be interesting :D

just want to make sure I get the right trannie in case my one is really f'd.

:D

2 M42s in my garage + 2 trannies. Both out of e30s - one a '91 and one a '92.

I wanted to use the "newer" tranny with the "older" engine, and accidentally found out why it wouldn't fit on with the original shaft bearing, lol....

(http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j85/irish44j/BMW%20318i%20RallyCross%20Project/IMG_1871.jpg)

once I switched the bearings, good to go.

IDK why they changed it between years, but I figure the thicker one is stronger, so there may have been some kind of problem with the input shaft breaking....IDK, who knows....