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1. The 265 was the only M30 5 speed trans until 1982, when the 260 was introduced. It was brought back for the 1985 model year, then phased out again. You should be able to find it in M30-powered cars of those years. Keep in mind which kind you want to find, the CR or OD. It was also used on the E30 M3, but considering the rarity of those cars, finding one from an older car would be far easier. The easiest way to tell a 265 is the combination of a three-section case and the removeable bellhousing.
2. The 265 was used on 6 cylinder cars only, aside from the E30 M3, which shared its bellhousing with the S38. All the 265s should be the same in this regard.
3. The 265 is the only 5 speed 6 cylinder BMW transmission with a removeable bellhousing. all the others have the bellhousing integrated into the rest of the case, including the 260.
4. Like I said in #3, every other transmission is attached to its bellhousing, so no. However, there is a M30-patterned 6 speed trans: the Getrag 280/6. It was only used on 1995 M5s, though, so there are likely less than 5000 worldwide. Good luck finding that! The start and end ratios are the same anyway, so you are only gaining a closer ratio gear, not more overdrive.
5. Lots of people have put 400-500+ through the boxes without issue.
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I have a getrag 265 CR dogleg from a '80 635 CSi Euro that I would like to put behind a S52. It's my understanding that a bell housing exists to make it happen, but I have not been successful in researching a part number or model year cars that could be a source.
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Based on my understanding, you would have to make a custom bellhousing, as the M50 bellhousing pattern is different from any previous BMW engine. The 265 CR is also a pretty fragile box, the ODs are the extremely strong ones. Your best bet is to use the M50 ZF trans with the S52; that's what most of the turbocharged guys use.
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Getrag 265 5 speed transmissions
For US spec cars:
With speedometer drive parts installed:
80-81 E12 528i and E24 633 ('79s were 4 speeds)
It is possible some 80-81 733s had 265s.
Possible to convert:
82 E28 528e (you'll need to get a big six bellhousing)
85 E28 535 and '85 E24 635 (only year for 265) (also possible there were some 85 735s that had 265s)
88-90 E30 M3 (not sure if you need a big six bellhousing for these).
You will also find 265s in E12 530s and 76-79 E24 633s that have been converted.
There were posts on this forum in the past on how to do the speedometer drive conversions.
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E28 Transmissions, an overview
Manual
- G260/5
Used on 5/6/733s from '83-'84. Non removable bell housing, waffle pattern for case casting. Considered weak and cannot accommodate a M5 clutch. Sheet metal shifter support. Overdrive 5th.
- G260/5
Used on '83-'88 528es, and E30 6 cylinder cars. Same model number as above, but different bell housing bolt pattern and shape, so it’s not interchangeable. Some or most or all of the internal parts may be, but with the cost of used transmissions, it’s irrelevant. Used sheet metal support thru about 86, then used the cast support. Waffle case pattern. Overdrive 5th.
- G260/6
Used on '86-'88 535’s and E34 535s, but they may not have the flywheel sensor holes drilled out. Identify it by the fins on the bottom of the transmission and non-removable case. Overdrive 5th.
- G265/6
Used on '82 528e and '85 535i. Also on '85 6/735, '80-'81 E12, '81-'82 6/733s and E30 M3s. Considered the strongest transmission available for E28’s. Is easily identified by a removable bell housing which allows use on M10, M20 and M30 engines, as long as the correct bell housing is used or reused. All except M3s have a sheet metal shifter support. It’s use in '85 M30 powered cars was reportedly dictated by the short life of the 260/5 in those cars. Overdrive 5th.
- G280
Used on M5/M6s. Close ratio, but overdrive 5th gear.
- G265/5
Never available on US spec cars, it's a close ratio 5 speed similar to the 265/6 overdrive transmission. 5th gear is 1:1. Often incorrectly called a 262 close ratio or dogleg, but a 262 is a 4 speed transmission. All 265’s I’ve seen have the front case casting with a 262xxx casting number, but they are 265s if they are 5 speeds. Removable bell housing and it does have an unusual shift pattern with 1st being off by itself and 4th/5th across from each other instead of 5th being up by itself.
Other notes: Most or all of the linkage parts seem to be model specific, the sheet metal shifter supports while they look the same, aren’t, even if from the same transmission and for the same chassis, i.e. one from a G265 from a 528e won’t work on a G265 in a 535i. I assume this is also the case for the later cast aluminum shifter supports, but I haven’t verified it myself.
