BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      04-03-2008, 12:45 PM   #1
winthorp
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135i: ZF or Getrag auto transmission?

I have a 135i with steptronic on order and so far was under the impression that it is the one made by ZF that is also used in the 335i coupe. I double checked with BMW NA via the owners circle and they replied that it will be the ZF as used in the 335i.

At the same time 2 people stated that the window sticker for their 135i says their auto transmission is made in France and questioned if that means it is not the ZF (Getrag is known to build their trannys in France). The model number for the ZF steptronic in the 335i coupe is ZF6 TU19 and, I believe, made in Germany.

Did ZF suddenly start building transmissions in France?

How can one tell one for sure if he got the ZF transmission (or not...)?
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      04-03-2008, 12:48 PM   #2
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I don't know what most of that means really, but I can say this. I swear when I drove the 335, it seemed to have much more throttle response than when I dove the 135. Part of this may be that I was then used to it so wasn't blown away as much, or perhaps there was even something wrong with the 135i I drove, or maybe it really is a different tranny. I don't know.
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      04-03-2008, 02:43 PM   #3
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Yeah I saw the 135i auto showing transmission from France. The 335 and 535 auto trans are from Germany. ZF is an international company, has plants in India and China, so who knows?

I think the ZF transmission is needed to handle the twin turbos.

Some one should dig up info on the exact model of the transmission.
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      04-03-2008, 03:05 PM   #4
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I'm out of the loop. I thought it was GM.
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      04-03-2008, 03:45 PM   #5
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I've read in previous messages that the steptronic in the 328i coupe is GM and ZF in the 335i, I wonder if the 128i also has the GM?
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      04-03-2008, 05:51 PM   #6
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Getrag doesn't make automatics for BMW. The only sources are GM and ZF.
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      04-03-2008, 08:42 PM   #7
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The 128i does not have the ZF.
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      04-04-2008, 10:37 AM   #8
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I think that's correct, auto from the 328i/128i are sourced from GM. In the 5 the autos are all ZF's, and for the 6sp, except the 528 from Getreg, the rest are from ZF.

Is there a technical spec sheet for the 1 series?
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      04-04-2008, 10:40 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad Dragon View Post
Getrag doesn't make automatics for BMW. The only sources are GM and ZF.

GENERAL MOTORS?
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      04-04-2008, 10:57 AM   #10
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GM actually makes good transmissions.
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      04-04-2008, 11:16 AM   #11
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it can handle 230 hp just fine... i have never heard anybody complain about their x28 transmission
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      04-04-2008, 12:02 PM   #12
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ZF makes bad ass transmissions. Their 6 speed auto is the only tranny offered in the Bentley Continental GT-Speed.
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      04-04-2008, 02:07 PM   #13
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I sent another mail to BMW NA asking why the window sticker for the 135i auto transmission says it was made in France. The 335i coupe ZF transmissions are all made in Germany.

The BMW NA representative said that she will look into this and get back to me.
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      04-11-2008, 12:48 PM   #14
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Does anyone know if the 135i has the GM 6L50 or the ZF automatic transmission. I know that the 6L50 is made in Strasbourg, France (http://www.gminsidenews.com/index.php?page=trans_guide). I am starting to think the 135i has the GM trans.
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      04-11-2008, 04:31 PM   #15
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Posted this in another thread.

ZF Corporate news/announcements

Vhttp://www.zf.com/content/en/import/zf_konzern/startseite/aktuelles/presse/press_details.jsp?type=P&dbID=308168

Should be Case Closed.
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      04-11-2008, 04:43 PM   #16
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ZF > GM?
Are 135i transmissions "better" than the 128i's?
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      04-11-2008, 10:39 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCSedona1 View Post
Posted this in another thread.

ZF Corporate news/announcements

Vhttp://www.zf.com/content/en/import/zf_konzern/startseite/aktuelles/presse/press_details.jsp?type=P&dbID=308168

Should be Case Closed.
I don't think so. Why does the window sticker say the 135i auto transmission is "Made in France". BMW transmissions "Made in France" so far have always been GM transmissions outsourced to Getrag.

I got a reply from BMW NA (via the Owners Circle) saying that the only information they have is that 135i has a ZF transmission. They could not explain why the window sticker states "Made in France".

Incorrect window sticker or bait and switch?
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      04-12-2008, 12:03 AM   #18
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i think the auto tranny for the e92 328 is sourced from General Motors France. If that's right, then that could be what the 128 auto has.
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      04-12-2008, 12:36 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by backtoreality15 View Post
ZF > GM?
Are 135i transmissions "better" than the 128i's?
The modern ZF box is featured prominently in Aston Martins and then Land Rovers (Range Rover Sport, actually) and is now filtering down the line.

Quicker shifts, more responsive manumatic mode, and most importantly, throttle blip on downshift. These are characteristics from ZF that I don't believe that GM box has or does.
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      04-12-2008, 08:00 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by winthorp View Post
I don't think so. Why does the window sticker say the 135i auto transmission is "Made in France". BMW transmissions "Made in France" so far have always been GM transmissions outsourced to Getrag.

I got a reply from BMW NA (via the Owners Circle) saying that the only information they have is that 135i has a ZF transmission. They could not explain why the window sticker states "Made in France".

Incorrect window sticker or bait and switch?
ZF publicly states it is the source/producer for the 135i manual and autobox. Also, there has been a corresponding silence from anyone associated with GM Powertrain as to any application of their products with the 1 series. It does appear that the other 1 series cars get the 6L45 GM transmission, as per GM information. Search the web for press releases and other information from ZF. Plenty of evidence to point to their involvement in these transmissions. I doubt they're going to come out and say what they've said if they didn't have the contract to provide the parts. Would YOU proclaim involvement in somebody else's deal?

Which is more likely? My money is on mislabeling. Wouldn't be the first time. Plus, the ZF box is already a production part mated to the N54. I personally can't see them changing production to use the different transmission. And I've driven both tranny's and the 135 does not shift like any of the lesser 3's. The proof is in skipping gears on downshift, much quicker.
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      04-12-2008, 11:12 AM   #21
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Current issue of Roundel I got yesterday states it is the ZF
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      04-12-2008, 02:22 PM   #22
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SCSedona1 makes good points. Having the Roundel also state that it is the ZF doesn't hurt either.

When I checked out the ZF site last night I found a PDF ("At a glance") that lists all their production sites:

120 Production Companies Europe: Germany 28, France 7, Great Britain 3, Italy 4, Austria 2, Russia 1, Slovakia 3, Spain 6, Turkey 2, Hungary 2

Maybe they started producing the new ZF 6 speed auto in France and the 135i is the first car they put in the "Made in France" ZFs. Or they just screwed up the window sticker...

Anyway, I just sent a mail to kundenbetreuung@bmw.de asking the same thing. I hope they can clear this up.
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