1992 BMW M3 automatic transmission

1
.



Gaskets



5
.



Front
pipe
with
catalytic
con-



8
.



Flange
2
.



Exhaust
manifold



verter



9
.



Bolt
(M8x55)

3
.
Exhaust
manifold



6
.
Oxygen
sensor
(monitoring)



10
.
Rubber
mounting
ring
(48mm)
4
.



Oxygen
sensor
(regulating)



7
.



Nut
(M8)



11
.



Rear
pipewith
mufflers

Fig
.
4
.



Exhaust
systemon
1996-1998
6-cylinder
engines
.
M3
(S50US)
exhaust
system
shown
.

Exhaust
system,
removing
and
installing



NOTE-

The
automatic
transmission
will
be
supported
by
the

This
section
covers
removing
the
exhaust
system
as
a
com-



rear
crossmember
once
the
brace
is
removed
.

plete
unit
.
Once
the
system
is
removed
from
the
car,
individual

pipes
and
mufflers
can
be
more
easily
replaced
.

1.
With
exhaust
system
fully
cold,raise
and
support
car

for
access
to
exhaustsystem
.

WARNING
-

Do
not
work
undera
lifted
car
unless
it
is
solidly

supported
on
jack
stands
designed
for
that
pur-
pose
.
Never
work
under
a
car
that
is
supported
solely
by
a
jack
.

2
.
Disconnect
oxygen
sensor
connector(s)
.

NOTE
-

On
1996
and
later
cars
with
multiple
oxygen
sensors,

label
the
oxygen
sensor
connectorsbefore
disconnect-
ing
.

4
.
Where
applicable,
remove
support
brace
from
trans-

mission
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

EXHAUSTSYSTEM



180-
3

3
.
Loosen
andremove
bolts
holding
front
exhaust
pipes
to

exhaust
manifolds
.



transmission
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

0011940

Fig
.
5
.



Crossbracemounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

5
.
Disconnect
exhaust
support
bracket
assembly
from

6
.
Supportexhaustsystem
from
below
and
dísconnect

rubbersupports/rubber
rings
from
exhaust
system
.
Re-

move
exhaust
system
from
below
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

EXHAUST
SYSTEM
REPLACEMENT

GENERAL
..
.
......
.
.
.
.....
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1

Manual
Transmission
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1

Automatic
Transmission
.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-1

Transmission
ID
Codes
..........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
200-2

GENERAL

E36
models
areequipped
with
a
longitudinal
drivetrain
.
The

transmission
is
bolted
directly
to
the
rear
of
the
engine
.
A

driveshaft
connects
the
output
shaft
of
thetransmission
to
the

final
drive
.
The
final
drive
is
mounted
lo
the
rear
suspension

and
the
body
.
Individual
drive
axles
with
integrated
constant

velocity
joints
transfer
rotational
power
to
the
rear
wheels
.

Manual
Transmission

Due
to
different
power
characteristics
and
performance
re-

quirements,
four
different
manual
transmissions
are
used
in

the
models
coveredby
this
manual
.
Manual
transmission
ap-

plications
are
given
in
Table
a
.

TRANSMISSION-GENERAL
200-1

200
Transmission-General

TABLES

a
.
Manual
Transmission
Applications
..
...........
200-1
b
.
Automatic
Transmission
Applications
...........
200-1

Fig
.
1
.



ZF-manufacturedmanual
transmission
.

For
transmission
gear
ratio
information
and
repair
informa-

tion,
see
230
Manual
Transmission
.



Automatic
Transmission

E36
carswith
standard
transmission
use
a
single-disc
clutch
with
dual-mass
flywheel
.
For
further
information,
see
210
Clutch
.

Table
a
.
Manual
Transmission
Applications

Model
Year
Engine
Transmission
318ifisfC



1992-1995



M42



Getrag
S5D
200
G'

1996-1998



M44



Getrag
S5D
250
G

323is/iC



1998



M52



Getrag
S5D
250
G

325ifsriC



1992-1995



M50



Getrag
S5D
250
G

3281/isfC



1996-1998



M52



ZF
S5D320
Z

M3



1995



S50US



ZF
S5D310
Z

1996-1998



S52US



ZF
S5D320
Z

'The
1992
M42
engine
may
be
fitted
witheither
the
Getrag
SSD
200
G
trans-
mission
or
S5D
250
Getrag
.
The
S5D
200G
was
discontinued
in
production
in
as
of
9/92
.
Thistransmission
is
interchangeable
with
Getrag
S5D
250
G
.

Four
different
automatic
transmissions
are
used,
depend-

ing
on
model
and
model
year
and/or
production
date
.
All
of
the

automatic
transmissions
are
electrohydraulically
controlled

with
either
four
or
five
forward
speeds
.
Automatic
transmis-

sion
applications
are
given
in
Table
b
.

For
automatic
transmission
repair
information,
see
240Au-

tomatic
Transmission
.

Table
b
.
Automatic
Transmission
Applications

Model
1
Year
1
Engine
1
Transmission

318i1is/1C



1992-1995
~
M42
323isfiC



1998



M52



A4S
310
R
3251/is/1C
1992-1995
M50

3181/isfC



11996-1998



M44



A4S
270
R
328i/is/1C
1996-1998
M52

M3



1996-1998



S50US



I
A5S
310
Z
S52US

GENERAL

200-2
TRANSMISSION-GENERAL

Transmission
ID
Codes

On
both
manual
and
automatic
transmissions,
the
code
let-

ter
and
transmission
type
numbers
should
be
located
onan
ID

plate
attached
to
the
síde
of
thetransmission
.
Do
not
rely
on

numbers
cast
on
the
transmission
case
for
identification
.

In
addition,
thetransmission
lubricant
varies
between
trans-

missions
and
model
years
.
Fluid
application
information
should
be
clearly
marked
on
a
label
on
thetransmission
.

On
manual
transmissions,
either
ATF
(orange
label
reads

ATF-Oil!)
or
a
special
BMW
lubricant
(yellow
label
reads
MTF-

LT
1)
are
used
.
See
230Manual
Transmission
.

Automatic
transmissions
are
filled
with
either
Dexron
III
ATF
(black
trans
.
type
plate
reads
ATF-Oil!),
a
special
ffe-
time
oil
(green
trans
.
type
plate
reading
Life-Time
ó1)
.
See
240AutomaticTransmission
.

GENERAL

CAUTION-

lf
in
doubtas
to
the
typeof
fluid
installed
in
a
par-
ticular
transmission,
consult
and
authorized
BMW
dealer
service
department
for
the
latest
in
operat-
ing
fluids
.

Fig
.
2
.



Typical
location
of
IDpíate
on
automatic
transmission
housing
(arrow)
.
A4S
310R
(THM-R1)

GENERAL
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......
.
......
210-1



CLUTCH
MECHANICAL
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.....
.
.
210-3

CLUTCH
HYDRAULICS
.
.
.
.............
210-1



Clutch,
removing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
210-4

Clutch,inspecting
and
installing
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.210-5Clutch
hydraulic
system,



Transmission
pilot
bearing,replacing
.
.
.
.
...
210-6
bleeding
and
flushing
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
.....
210-2

Clutch
master
cylinder,
replacing
..
.
.
.
.
.
...
210-2



Table

Clutch
slave
cylinder,
replacing
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
210-3



a
.
Clutch
Disc
Diameter
.............
..
..
.
......
210-3

GENERAL



CLUTCH
HYDRAULICS

This
repair
group
covers
replacement
of
the
clutch
mechan-



The
Clutch
is
hydraulically
actuated
by
the
master
and
slave
¡cal
and
hydraulic
components
.
Special
tools
may
be
required



cylinders
.
Clutch
disc
wear
is
automatically
taken
upby
the
for
some
of
the
procedures
.
Read
the
procedure
through
be-



pushrod
travelof
the
slave
cylinder,
making
periodic
adjust-fore
beginning
a
job
.



ments
unnecessary
.

NOTE-

See200
Transmission-General
for
transmission
applicatíon
information
.

The
major
components
of
the
clutch
system
are
shown
in

Fig
.
1
.

Engine



Pressure
plate

flywheel,,
assembly

Clutch

Flywheel
bolt

Pressure
plate
release
lever



Release
lever

Fig
.
1
.



Clutch
assembly
and
hydraufcs
.

210
Clutch

Release
bearing

Pushrod

A
soft
or
spongy
feel
to
the
clutchpedal,
long
pedal
free-
play,
or
grinding
noises
from
thegears
while
shifting
can
all
in-
dicate
problems
with
the
Clutch
hydraulics
.
In
these
circum-
stances
it
is
best
to
start
with
a
clutch
fluid
flush,
followed,
if

necessary,
byreplacement
of
the
hydraulic
parts
.

From
brake
fluid
reservoir

CLUTCH
210-1

0

0

Transmission
inputshaft

Clutch
master
cylinder

Bulkhead

Slave
cylinder
6535

CLUTCH
HYDRAULICS

230
Manual
Transmission

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION



230-1

GENERAL
...
.
............
.
.......
.
.
.
.
230-1



Output
shaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
installed)
....
.
.....
.
.....
.230-4

TRANSMISSION
FLUID
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.
.230-1



Inputshaft
sea¡,
replacing

Transmission
fluid
leve¡,
checking
...
.
...
.
.
230-2



(transmission
removed)
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.....
.
230-5
Transmission
fluid,
replacing
.........
.
.
.
.
230-2



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
230-2



INSTALLATION
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
230-5

Back-up
light
switch,
replacing
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
230-2



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
...
.
.
.
.
230-6



_

Selector
shaft
sea¡,
replacing

(transmission
installed)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
230-3



TAB

a
.
Manual
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.
.
.
.........
.230-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
FLUID
SERVICE

This
repair
group
covers
external
transmission
service,
in-



The
manual
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
are

cluding
removal
and
installation
of
thetransmission
unit
.
Inter-



normally
filled
with
automatic
transmission
fluid
(ATF),
al-

nal
transmission
repair
is
not
covered
.
Special
press
tools
and



though
alternative
lubricants
may
have
beenused
from
the

procedures
are
required
to
disassemble
and
service
the
inter-



factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.
For

nal
geartrain
.



example,
transmissions
fitted
to
the
M3
models
are
normally

filled
with
a
"lifetime"
manual
transmission
fluid
(BMW
MTF

Manual
transmissions
used
are
based
on
engine
applica-



LT-1)
and
do
not
require
periodic
fluid
changes
.

tion
.
Consult
200
Transmission-General
for
transmission

application
information
.
Table
a
lists
gear
ratio
specifications
.



NOTE-

The
transmission
lubricant
type
can
be
found
ona
label

NOTE-



on
the
sideof
the
transmission
.
Consult
an
authorized

Do
not
rely
on
forged
casting
numbers
for
transmission



BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use
and
the
most-up-to-

code
identification
.



date
information
regarding
transmission
operating
fluids
.

Tablea
.
Manual
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



1



Getrag
S5D
200
G



1



Getrag
SSD
250
G



1



ZF
S5D
310
Z



1



ZF
S5D
320
Z

Gear
Ratios
:
1st



4
.23



4
.23



4
.20



4
.20
2nd



2
.52



2
.52



2
.49



2
.49
3rd



1
.66



1
.66



1
.66



1
.664th



1
.22



1
.22



1
.24



1
.24
5th



1
.00



1
.00



1
.00



1
.00

reverse



4
.04



4
.04



3
.89



3
.89

TRANSMISSION
FLUID
SERVICE

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-1

240
Automatic
Transmission

GENERAL
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.........
.
240-1



TRANSMISSION
REMOVAL
AND

INSTALLATION
..................
.
.
.
.
.240-4
TRANSMISSION
SERVICE
.
.
.
.
.
.......
.
240-1



Transmission,
removing
and
installing
....
.
.
.240-4

ATF
leve¡,
checking
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-1

ATF,
draining
and
filling
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..........
240-2



TABLE

a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios
.......
..
.
.
240-1

GENERAL



TRANSMISSION
SERVICE



lo

Automatic
transmissions
are
identified
by
code
letters



ATF
leve¡,
checking

foundon
a
data
plate
located
on
the
sideof
thetransmission

case,
behind
the
manual
valve
lever
.
See
200Transmis-



The
automatic
transmissions
installed
in
the
E36
models
sion-General
for
application
information
.
Forgear
ratio
spec-



are
normally
filled
with
Dexron
III
automatic
transmission
fluid

ifications,
see
Table
a
.



(ATF),
although
alternative
fluids
have
been
installed
from
the

factory,
depending
on
transmission
type
and
model
year
.

CAUTION-



Some
transmíssions
are
filled
with
a
special
BMW
"lifetime"

ATF
does
not
circulate
unless
the
engine
is
run-



automatic
transmission
fluid,
which
does
not
require
periodic

ning
.
When
towing
an
automafic
transmission
ve-



fluid
changes
.

hicle,
usea
flat-bed
truck
or
ralse
the
rear
wheels
off
the
ground
.



CAUTION-

Mixing
different
types
of
transmission
fluids
will

The
electronic
transmission
control
module
(TCM)
monitors



lead
to
transmission
failure
.

transmissionoperation
for
faults
and
alerts
the
driver
by
illumi-

nating
the
transmission
fault
indicator
on
the
instrument
pan-

el
.
On-board
diagnostic
codes
stored
in
the
TCM
mustbe



NOTE-

downloaded
and
interpreted
by
trained
technicians
using
spe-



The
transmission
lubricant
instafed
can
be
foundona

cial
BMW
diagnostic
equipment
.



type
plate
on
the
side
of
the
transmission
.
In
addition,
a
sticker
may
be
located
on
the
fluid
sump
indicatingthe
typeof
transmission
lubricant
used
.
Ifin
doubt,
con

NOTE-



sult
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
for
altemate
fluid
use

Internal
repairs
to
the
automatic
transmission
require



and
current
information
regardingtransmission
operat-
special
service
equipment
and
knowledge
.
If
it
is
deter-



ing
fluids
.

mined
thatinterna¡
service
is
required,
consult
en
au-

thorízedBMWdealerabouta
factoryreconditioned
unit



The
transmission
is
not
equipped
with
a
dipstick
.
Checking
or
a
transmission
rebuild
.



the
ATF
leve¡
requires
measuring
and
maintaining
a
specified

ATF
temperature
during
the
checking
procedure
.
The
check-

ing
temperature
is
not
fully
warm
orcold
(the
ATF
sump

should
be
approximately
warm
to
the
touch)
.

Table
a
.
Automatic
Transmission
Gear
Ratios

Transmission



MS
310R
(THM-R1)



MS
310R
(THM-Rl)



MS
310Z(5HP
18)



I



MS
270R
(THM-R1)
(1992-1993)(1993-on)

Gear
ratios
:
1st



2
.40



2
.86



3
.67



2
.86

2nd



1
.47



1
.62



2
.00



1
.62
3rd



1
.00



1
.00



1.41



1
.00
4th



0
.72



0
.72



1
.00



0
.72
5th



-



-



0
.74



-
Reverse



2
.00



2
.00



4
.10



2
.00

TRANSMISSIONSERVICE

240-2



AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

WARNING
-

If
the
appropriate
temperature
measuring
equip-
ment
is
not
available,
ATF
leve¡
checking
shouldbe
left
to
an
authorized
BMW
dealer
The
checking
pro-
cedure
should
be
done
on
a
lift
with
the
engine
run-
ning
in
neutral
.
In
addition,
the
transmission
fluid
temperature
must
be
maintained
within
a
narrow
range
duringthe
checking
procedure
.

1
.
Place
vehicle
on
a
lift
.

WARNING
-

To
lift
the
vehicle
safely,
see
010
Fundamentals
for
the
Do-it-Yourself
Owner
.

2
.
Warm
up
drivetrain
by
running
engine
until
ATF
reach-

es
specified
temperature
.
Apply
brake
and,
while
idling
engine,
shift
through
all
gears
severa¡
times
.
Turn
en-
gine
off
.

ATF
Level
Checking

"
Fluid
temperature
..
...........
30-55°C
(86-131°F)

3
.
Remove
ATF
fill
plug
.
Place
transmission
in
neutral
and



ATF,draining
and
filling
restart
engine
.
See
Fig
.
1
or
Fig
.
2
.

Fig
.
1
.



ATF
fill
plug
(A)
on
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
.

4
.
With
ATF
at
specified
temperature,
add
(luid
until
it
spilis
from
fill
hole
.

WARNING
-

HotATFcan
scald
.
Weareye
protection
and
protec-
tive
clothing
and
gloves
duringthe
check
.
If
thetransmission
was
overfilled,
hot
ATF
will
spill
from
the
filler
hole
when
the
fill
plug
is
removed
.

5
.
Reinstall
fill
plug
using
new
sealing
ring
.

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE

011743

0011742

Fig
.
2
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
and
fill
plug
(B)
on
A5S
310Z
transmission
.

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
31
OR
.............
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)
MS
310Z
(M30
plug)
............
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

The
procedure
given
here
includes
removal
and
installation

of
the
ATF
(luid
strainer
(filter)
.

1
.
Remove
drain
plug
and
drain
fluidinto
container
.
See
Fig
.
3
or
Fig
.
2
given
earlier
.

0~
0

/\1--Z
.IZ
~
~

A



~
"o



15/

Fig
.
3
.



ATF
drain
plug
(A)
on
A4S
270R/A4S
310R
.

WARNING
-

The
ATF
must
not
be
hot
when
draining
.
Do
not
drain
the
ATF
if
the
engineandlor
transmission
Is
hot
.
Hot
ATF
can
scald
.
Wear
eye
protection,
pro-
tective
clothing
and
gloves
.

0011595

2
.
On
MS
270R/A4S
310R
transmissions
:
Remove
front



5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
Rmoval
.
and
rear
oil
sump
mounting
bolts
andremove
sumps



"
Always
replace
sea¡
for
drain
plug
and
al¡
gasket(s)
andand
sump
gaskets
.



O-rings
.

"
Clean
sump
and
sump
magnet(s)
using
a
lint-free

NOTE-



cloth
.

The
MS
270
R/A4S
310
R
transmissions
may
be
fitted



"
On
MS
270R/A4S310R
transmissions
:
Use
new
bolts

with
ASE
(inch)
bolts
.



at
sump
and
tighten
bolts
in-line,
one
after
other
(do
nottighten
bolts
in
a
cross-wise
pattern)
.

3
.
On
A5S
310Z
transmission
:
Remove
oil
sump
mount-



"
On
MS
310Z
transmission,
be
sureto
instan
rounded

ing
bolts
and
brackets,
noting
position
of
brackets
.
Re-



sump
clamping
brackets
at
corners
of
sump
.

move



"
Fill
transmission
with
approved
fluid
.
sump
and
sump
gasket
.



"
Check
fluid
level
as
described
under
ATF
leve¡,

4
.
Remove
ATF
otra¡ner
mount¡ng
screws
and
remove



checking
.

strainer
together
with
gasket
orO-ring
.
See
Fig
.
4
or

Fig
.
5
.

Fig
.
4
.



A4S
270R/A4S310R
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
5
.



A5S
310Z
fluid
strainer
mounting
boits
(arrows)
.

0013230

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION



240-
3

NOTE-

Use
newsump
bolts
purchased
from
BMW
.
Alternative-
ly,
clean
old
bolts
and
coat
with
Loctite®
thread
locking
compound
or
equivalent

Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
Capacity
(refill
only)

"
MS
270R/A4S310R
Removal
of
large
sump
only
........
3
.0liters
(3.2
qt)
Removal
ofboth
sumps
...........
5
.0liters(5
.3
qt)

"
MS
310Z
..
..
..................
3
.3liters
(3.5
qt)

Tightening
Torques

"
ATF
drain
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
25
Nm
(18
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M10
plug)
..........
..
16
Nm
(12
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
fill
plug
to
ATF
sump

MS
270R/A4S
310R
..........
..
33
Nm
(24
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z(M30
plug)
.....
..
..
:.
100
Nm
(74
ft-Ib)

"
ATF
strainer
to
valve
body

MS
270R/A4S
310R
.....
..
.
...
.
20
Nm
(15
ft-Ib)

MS
310Z
..............
..
.
...
..
6
Nm
(53
in-lb)

"
ATF
sump
to
transmission

MS
270R/A4S
310R
(M6)
.
..
.
..
...
12
Nm
(9
ft-¡b)

MS
310Z
(M6)
..........
..
.
..
...
6
Nm
(53
in-¡b)

TRANSMISSION
SERVICE