Different automatic transmissions?

honzecruze · Post by **honzecruze** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:26 pm

So I have done a bit of searching and haven't really come up with much.

Basically I sold a 1979 e12 auto tranny to a guy, he texted me this morning and said the mechanic told him I sold him a euro tranny and he needs a US one. So I was under the assumption that bmw only made 1 auto tranny for e12s, Plus there is nothing euro about my car. Why would they give the US a different tranny? The only thing i can think of is his car is a 1976 530 and this came out of a 1979 528 i know they are different, but I didn't think the transmission would be different.

Basically I am trying to help the guy out, and point him in the right direction, I dont want him to get screwed by a shop and I want his experience of buying parts from me to be a positive one.

So, Do you know if bmw made a euro and US transmission? and if not do you think it is not fitting because of the difference in years?
Thanks!
Jake

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:45 pm

Not euro/US, but early and late. 75/76 US cars used a Borg Warner 65, not a box with a good reputation. 77 thru 83 US cars used a ZF3HP22, a very good 3 speed auto, as autos go.

Now given that euro cars included such things as 4 cylinder and M20 2.0 6 cylinder engines, euro trannys could be different, but I think you're looking at early/late.

honzecruze · Post by **honzecruze** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 3:54 pm

Ah ok good to know, thank you very much.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:51 pm

I also can't imagine that anyone in Europe would have wanted an automatic transmission in their E12

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:25 pm

I can't imagine anyone, anywhere wanting one today!
Not even with 'sport mode' 'cause I would totally miss the clutch action.

To me, we don't have to drive hard, but we're in tune with our car much more with a clutch.
It's part of my cheap fun. There are just too many things done for us.
Greg