The 420G is a 6-speed
manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...
manufactured by
Getrag
Getrag (), stylized as GETRAG, was a major supplier of transmission systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The company was founded on 1 May 1935, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, by Hermann Hagenmeyer; as the ''Getriebe und Zahnradfabrik ...
. It is designed for
longitudinal engine
In automotive engineering, a longitudinal engine is an internal combustion engine in which the crankshaft is oriented along the long axis of the vehicle, front to back.
Use
This type of motor is usually used for rear-wheel drive cars, except ...
applications and is designed for use on engines producing up to of torque.
BMW used this transmission with
M60 V8 models such as the European manual 840i, European manual 740i, 540i; as well as the
M62 powered 5 series sedans, and S62 powered vehicles such as the Z8 and M5. This gearbox was also used in the E34 M5, E36 M3, and E46 M3s with the
S38B38,
S50B32, and
S54B32 engines respectively.
For the aforementioned applications there are three incompatible bellhousing boltpatterns: one for 8-cylinder engines (540i, 740i, 840i, E39 M5, Z8), one for the larger S38 6-cylinder engine (E34 M5, only for 1995), and one for the smaller 6-cylinder engines (M3). Bellhousings can be swapped among V8 and L6 engines, however this is not advised, as bearing preload is determined in part by precise case dimensions. Furthermore, the V8 and smaller L6 transmissions also have different output flanges (which can be swapped) and input shafts (which cannot, practically speaking).
Among owners and mechanics, the transmission has a reputation for being strong, quiet, and routinely able to handle considerably more torque than its official rating. However, internal shift linkages are its one known failure point, and neither BMW nor Getrag will provide replacement internal parts (except some shift linkage parts), rebuild instructions, or rebuild service. The only solution to a failed gearbox is a replacement transmission.
Gear ratios:
Applications:
* 1996-1999
BMW E36 M3 (Euro)
* 2001-2006
BMW E46 M3
The fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E46, which was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1997 to 2006, and was the successor to the E36 3 Series which ceased producti ...
* 1993-1996
BMW E34 540i and M5
* 1996-2004
BMW E39 540i and M5
* 1994–1998
BMW E38 7 Series
* 1993–1999
BMW E31 8 series
* 2000–2003
BMW E52 Z8
References
420G
{{automotive-part-stub