BMW 128i gears/transmission

[MarkkyyMan]

What are the rear end gears in a 128i(manual)?

Whats the difference in the 135i and the 128i manual trannys?

[Tom K.]

128i FD ratio is 3.23

See the following for US specs:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...fications.aspx

Tom

[MarkkyyMan]

Thanks for the links.

Does a 135i clutch fit on a 128i?

[MarkkyyMan]

Bump

[Lester]

No - the clutch dia. on the 128 is 228 mm, and the clutch on the 135 is 240 mm. Different tranny's as well.

[luv135i]

Are those parts diagrams availible to everyone online?

[Lester]

Originally Posted by luv135i

Are those parts diagrams availible to everyone online?

www.realoem.com

[JimD]

It is quite different than what I am used to in american cars but the 128i and 135i have basically totally different motors and transmissions. So it makes sense the parts would not necessarily be interchangable. The 128i block is a magnesium/aluminum composite (i.e. it is the N52). The 135i block is more conventional with an aluminum block with cast iron sleeves. 135i is direct inject. 128i is port fuel injection. 128i has valvetronic - variable valve lift as well as duration. 135i has variable timing but not lift. They are essentially the same in displacement but a 135i is not a 128i turbocharged. Different motors.

Transmissions are also quite different with both 135i transmissions (auto and manual) made by ZF. 128i manual is Getrag and auto is by GM.

I suspect most of the body/suspension pieces are interchangable but most of the engine/transmission is probably not.

For a relatively low volume vehicle it is a little surprising more is not interchangable but BMW makes the 1 largely out of the 3 series parts bin so that is where there is more interchangability. I am assuming, I have not checked, but I think the 3 series normally aspirated model engine and transmission are basically the same as the 1 series. And the same with the turbocharged models (i.e. 335 and 135 engine/transmission largely interchangeable and 128i/328i engine/transmission largely interchangeable parts).

Jim

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by JimD

For a relatively low volume vehicle it is a little surprising more is not interchangable but BMW makes the 1 largely out of the 3 series parts bin so that is where there is more interchangability. I am assuming, I have not checked, but I think the 3 series normally aspirated model engine and transmission are basically the same as the 1 series. And the same with the turbocharged models (i.e. 335 and 135 engine/transmission largely interchangeable and 128i/328i engine/transmission largely interchangeable parts).
Jim

As the same 3 litre sixes are also used in the US 5 series and in some of the SUVs, BMW gets a pretty good payback from the R&D expense.

Tom

[JimD]

Tom,

I agree and I like more things about how BMW does things than American or Japanese cars but I am still getting used to it. I think it's unusual for other car makers to use basically the same engine from a sub-compact (my 128) to a mid-sized if not bigger SUV (the X5). And also a mid-sized to full size car (i.e. a 3 series and 5 series). It has to help the development costs, however.

The Fords, and Chryslers, and Mazdas and Suzukis I have owned (I still also have a Suzuki SUV) might use the same engine in a couple sizes of cars but not across this broad a portion of their models. I'm not sure about the Fiat I had but that was something I'm trying to forget (or only remember the day my 124 Spyder ran).

Jim

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by JimD

Tom,
I'm not sure about the Fiat I had but that was something I'm trying to forget (or only remember the day my 124 Spyder ran).
Jim

In addition to the 124 Spider & Coupe, there was a sedan, IIRC. I had a '68 1400cc roadster followed by a '70 1600.

Tom

[MarkkyyMan]

Thanks. So basically there is no clutch upgrade yet available for the 128..

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by MarkkyyMan

Thanks. So basically there is no clutch upgrade yet available for the 128..

I'm curious as to why you need one. While the 135i motor develops 50% more torque, it's clutch is only about 5% larger which would seem to indicate that the 128i is already over-engineered for it's application.

The clutch on mine (22,000 miles) is excellent, as is the one on my '99 E46 with 95,000 miles.

Tom

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by JimD

Tom,

I agree and I like more things about how BMW does things than American or Japanese cars but I am still getting used to it. I think it's unusual for other car makers to use basically the same engine from a sub-compact (my 128) to a mid-sized if not bigger SUV (the X5). And also a mid-sized to full size car (i.e. a 3 series and 5 series). It has to help the development costs, however.

The Fords, and Chryslers, and Mazdas and Suzukis I have owned (I still also have a Suzuki SUV) might use the same engine in a couple sizes of cars but not across this broad a portion of their models. I'm not sure about the Fiat I had but that was something I'm trying to forget (or only remember the day my 124 Spyder ran).

Jim

Honda essentially does that with the J series V6 across their ranges. Slightly different tuning levels and two displacements but it's in the Ridgeline (J35Z5), Odyssey (J35A6), Accord (J35Z2, J35Z3), Accord Crosstour (J35Z2?), Pilot (J35Z4), TSX (J35Z6?), TL (J35Z6, J37A4), RL (J37A2), MDX (J37A1) and ZDX (J37 variant).

Toyota does something similar, not quite as broad though.

[Lucky1]

Don't forget Nissan. They'd put that 3.5 VQ engine under a lawn mower if they could find a market for it.

Honestly I think part sharing across your lineup is pretty common these days. Ford and Mazda share parts no? Engines are no different, BMW's hardly unique here. I'm thinking it would make the most out of R&D dollars and production cycles by using the same motor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VQ_engine
VQ35DE


It is fitted to the following vehicles: North American

• 2001–2004 Nissan Pathfinder (240 hp)
• 2001–2004 Infiniti QX4 (240 hp)
• 2002–2004 Infiniti I35 (255 hp)
• 2002–present Nissan Altima (240 to 270 hp)
• 2002–present Nissan Maxima (255 to 290 hp)
• 2003–2006 Nissan 350Z (287 to 296 hp)
• 2003–2004 Infiniti G35 (260 to 280 hp) all models
• 2005–2006 Infiniti G35 (280 hp) automatic transmission models
• 2005–2006 Infiniti G35 (298 hp) manual transmission models
• 2003–2008 Infiniti FX35 (275 hp)
• 2003–present Nissan Murano (Z50) (245 to 265 hp)
• 2004–present Nissan Quest (235 hp)
• 2006–2008 Infiniti M35 (275 hp)

JDM and other markets

* 2000–present Nissan Elgrand 240 PS (180 kW; 240 hp)
* 2001–present Nissan Stagea 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) and above
* 2001–present Renault Vel Satis 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp)
* 2002–present Nissan Skyline (V35) 272 PS (200 kW; 268 hp) and above
* 2003–present Nissan Teana/Cefiro (350JM-J31) 231 PS (170 kW; 228 hp)
* 2003–present Nissan Presage (231 hp)
* 2003–present Renault Espace 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp)
* 2004–2007 Nissan Fuga 350 GT 280 PS (210 kW; 280 hp)
* 2005–present Nismo Fairlady Z S-Tune GT 300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp) (VQ35DE S1 engine)
* 2006–present Renault Samsung Motors SM7 217 PS (160 kW; 214 hp) (Neo VQ35)
* 2008–present Renault Laguna Coupé 241 PS (177 kW; 238 hp)

[JimD]

Maybe sharing engines across a broad range of vehicles is part of the reason BMW, Honda and Nissan seem to be in better financial shape than Ford, Chrysler and GM (who admittedly share engines too, GM even licensed Suzuki to make their 3.6L V6).

Tom,

I hope your Fiat experience was a lot better than mine. I bought a used 124 Spyder that had not been well protected from the weather in Pittsburgh, PA. It was very rusty and the electricals required weekly attention. But the car was a lot of fun when it ran. It also had the nasty habit of breaking down on the other side of town. I fought the good fight for a year or two and then sold it to a young man who swore he knew what he was getting into.

Jim

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by JimD

Tom,
I hope your Fiat experience was a lot better than mine. I bought a used 124 Spyder that had not been well protected from the weather in Pittsburgh, PA. It was very rusty and the electricals required weekly attention. But the car was a lot of fun when it ran. It also had the nasty habit of breaking down on the other side of town. I fought the good fight for a year or two and then sold it to a young man who swore he knew what he was getting into.
Jim

After I made that misteak with a very well used '55 TR2, both my 124 Spiders were new and carried a 12 month warranty, IIRC. Although the '70 had to have front rotors replaced regularly at 10,000 mile intervals due to a cooling problem, it was otherwise quite enjoyable and my young daughter could even fit in what passed for a rear seat. The '72 with redesigned brakes was a delight, cruising nicely at 85 mph and giving 25 mpg at more reasonable speeds. But I needed more space & traded it in on a 400 ci Plymouth Fury just before gas skyrocketed from $.30 to $.60 per gallon!

Tom

[Ox]

Last month, I bought a 2011 128i with a six speed manual. I traded in my Cooper S which had an excellent 6 speed Getrag. But unfortunately it was front wheel drive with lots of torque steer. After having owned four other Bimmers, I was anxious to get back to rear wheel drive. It's a great car and the gearbox is excellent, much nicer than in my previous 3-Series. Anyway, does someone know what type of gearbox is in my 128i? I've had Getrags before but I can't tell on this car.

Ox

[ND40oz]

It's a getrag, part number is listed in the parts diagrams posted earlier.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

As the same 3 litre sixes are also used in the US 5 series and in some of the SUVs, BMW gets a pretty good payback from the R&D expense.

Tom

Except, BMW also has the N53b30 3.0, which would be an excellent choice for the 1 series 128i and 328i. It's used in Europe in the 3 and 5.
It has direct injection, putting out 272hp and 236lb ft, normally aspirated.
For those who don't like turbo's, or their "throttle response", this engine would be awesome.

Supposedly BMW won't bring this engine to the US due to high sulfur content fuel. But, DI has been doing just fine lately, so they COULD bring it. Problem is, what would you get, a 272/236 NA engine, or 300/300 TS turbo with valvetronic?

I think an N53 128iS would be a great ride.

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Except, BMW also has the N53b30 3.0, which would be an excellent choice for the 1 series 128i and 328i. It's used in Europe in the 3 and 5.
It has direct injection, putting out 272hp and 236lb ft, normally aspirated.
For those who don't like turbo's, or their "throttle response", this engine would be awesome.

Supposedly BMW won't bring this engine to the US due to high sulfur content fuel. But, DI has been doing just fine lately, so they COULD bring it. Problem is, what would you get, a 272/236 NA engine, or 300/300 TS turbo with valvetronic?

I think an N53 128iS would be a great ride.

X2 Im an N/A guy I wouldnt mind driving a slower car