Does the ZF S6-53BZ transmission fit?

[TylerD]

Hi!
Since my manual transmission seems to be failing, I need to consider buying a used transmission in the near future. Repair could be an option, but I dont have figures yet from ZF.

So I thought, why not buy a used (G)S6-53BZ transmission (from the N54), rather than the original (G)S6-45BZ, since it can handle way more power (600nm over 470nm).

Do they happen to use the same mounts? Would that be plug and play with the N55 flywheel and clutch? Clutch has the same part number, flywheel not so :/

[TylerD]

Anyone please?

I can not believe no one tried that yet?

[Jorgensen54]

Since this site is a bunch of ***** when it comes to external URLs,

Google "(G)S6-53BZ vs (G)S6-45BZ" and the first result might be of use.

[TylerD]

Thank you for pointing that out. I already read that thread and they came to the same conclusion. It might fit, but no one knows for sure.
I dont really want to buy a transmission for 1,5k just to find out it doesnt fit
Thought someone here would know it for sure.

[Goran]

I'm kind of in the same boat as my trans won't drop into reverse. I need some new internals in my GS6-45BZ trans and I noticed you said you could contact ZF direct...do you have a number or site to reference? Every trans shop, BMW dealer, or technical specialist I've found says the same thing...buy a new or remanufactured trans for $3k-$4k.

Hoping for another route. How can BMW not offer parts for these manual transmissions? Thanks.

[TylerD]

Well, there is a ZF service point where I live. They repair and maintain transmissions. I am waiting for another response from them atm. The first answer was bad news, as they also told me that there are no spare parts and thus no repair options available for our gearboxes. Just like the bmw dealer said, there is only the exchange for a remanufactured trans. Costs almost as much as a new one though.
I cant believe that and its bull**** in my opinion. If ZF is unwilling to repair it, then I will give an independent workshop specialized for transmissions a try.

Will keep you updated.

[TylerD]

So I received a call from the mentioned ZF service point again.
The technician, like the service agent before, told me, that there are no spare parts available for our transmissions and thus it can not be "repaired". He said I could get an exchange/trade-in (recondishioned) transmission though, which would cost around 2000€ net worth. Half price of a brand new one form BMW.

In my opinion thats quite suspicious. They get you to send in your damaged transmission, change the bad parts and resell that one later to someone else as recondishioned. So much for "there are no spare parts available". Way to make money out of your production faulty products.

Anyway, so we can choose from 1000-1500€ for a used transmission from the bay, over a 2000€ recondishioned one from ZF.

Although there may not be spare parts available for the public (and service partners ), we might be lucky and a local transmission repair shop is actually able to fix it the old fashioned way, by repairing, not replacing.

If BMW rejects the repair on goodwill, I will probably do that before going the ebay/ZF exchange route.



Still: the topic on the N54 transmission is not yet closed. Will it fit?

[Goran]

Well be careful taking it to a local transmission specialist and one national chain with outlets and some of the biggest trans partners. I did that and several said no problem, they can fix it and find the solution and repair it as they've done "tons of BMW's". After taking it apart and looking for parts they find the same thing we have, no parts available. So you end up with a trans that cannot be put back together with any seals, bearings, etc. There are no parts available, at least not in the US. All roads lead through the recond/new route through BMW, the salvage yard which very few exists and who would want that in their car, or ebay, same thing.

I wish I knew your answer if the N54 trans fit with the N55 engine as this would open up options and availability. Hopefully someone will respond with a good answer.

Issues with these are apparently rare but for those lucky few it's not a good place.

[TylerD]

Thank you for your info on that Goran. Guess you just saved me lots of time and trouble for not trying to get it repaired by a local shop.

You mentioned you would not want to have a used transmission from ebay in your car. Why exactly? Of course it would have to be one from a dealer with warranty included then, not a private seller.

Maybe should open a thread on n54tech forums regarding the opening question. Chances are someone over there already tried this.

[Goran]

Your options might be different in Germany. I said not ebay meaning from a private seller.

[juld0zer]

This is the problem with a lot of OEM companies these days. They would rather sell you a complete assembly rather than the individual parts to repair. ZF might be holding back the overhaul instructions from BMW or BMW might decide the labour required to overhaul the transmission or possibility for workmanship issues would make overhaul unfeasible. And this is only a manual transmission we are talking about here...

How about diff bearings? BMW dont list them on the parts catalogues. But they are available overseas if you look in the right places. Good luck with the search