which is better Getrag 245 or 240?

[eau-rouge]

im driving E21 with motronic 1.1(m20b20).my gearbox recently broke down and i need to change it to a new one.my question is, which gearbox is better?the getrag245(5 speed for e21) or getrag240(standard on an e30)

[Starmavin]

The 240 is better, however go for the 88 and later. Some around 86 have a green tag and they take a special SHC-630 fluid that is very hard to come by and/or at a good price. One problem you may have is getting your shifter to work, you may have to make your own mounting plate.

[eau-rouge]

thanks for your advice.

[Dan TM]

My '87 325E had a sticker on it that said ATF only, but my Bentley said SAE 80 gear oil, or ATF or motor oil to make it shift easier in higher temp areas, so I put Moble 1 gear oil in it. Is is gonna' blow up? Why would ATF be the only option? It had ATF in it.

Also, what about the final drive? Is synthetic gear oil okay for that too?

[Rfitz25]

I just put Redline MTL in my 5 speed last month and all my "hard too shift" syncro problems pretty much went away.
Check out thier web site, they have a thicker one for older tnanny's too.
Not even sure what tranny I have. LOL
Before when it was cold in the morning or at the start of an autocross I could barely shift into second, reverse etc.
Previous autocross had to start in 2nd gear and stay in it.
This Sat with the Redline synthetic I could use all gears even downshifted to 1st once, of course I wont do that again, turned the last corner into a drifting competition. LOL

Two of the BMW shops here in San Diego said they have thier own magic blend that works pefect for these tranny's. Not sure what it is.

Redline rules.
I think I'll put some in my diff too?

[Starmavin]

Originally Posted by Dan TM

My '87 325E had a sticker on it that said ATF only, but my Bentley said SAE 80 gear oil, or ATF or motor oil to make it shift easier in higher temp areas, so I put Moble 1 gear oil in it. Is is gonna' blow up? Why would ATF be the only option? It had ATF in it.

Also, what about the final drive? Is synthetic gear oil okay for that too?

The ones with the red tag or no tag were gear oil or ATF, the ones with the green tag take that special oil.

As for the rear, 80W90 syn will work nicely.

[Dan TM]

Originally Posted by Starmavin

The ones with the red tag or no tag were gear oil or ATF, the ones with the green tag take that special oil.

As for the rear, 80W90 syn will work nicely.

Thanks. It's a red tag. Not blowin' up your tranny is important. Wasn't havin' any problems shifting, but I usually change out all the fluids in the first few months when I get a new/old car I'm gonna' keep. That way, you know what you have.