Transmission Length Comparison

[Rich Euro M5]

It's a been demonstrated in the past that a G265 transmission is a bolt in replacement for the G280. All you need is the G265 , the sheet metal shift console, crossmember and exhaust hanger. The M5 driveshaft can be used with the G265. Since I have a G265 and a G280 sitting in my garage I thought it might be interesting to measure the total length of each transmission.

Here's what I found, I measured from the edge of the bellhousing to the rear edge of the output flange.

G265 55cm
G280 53.8cm

There's enough adjustable range in the M5 drive shaft to compensate for the slight longer (12mm or ~1/2") G265 transmission.

One other interesting tidbit. The ECE and US versions of the E28 M5 use the same PN driveshaft. Yet the ZE version of the E28 M5 w/G280 uses a different driveshaft PN. This driveshaft happens to cross over to most versions of the E28 535i w/G265 transmissions. Based on this info, if someone is looking for an '85 535i driveshaft, they could probably use one from an M5 if that was the only option available.

Rich

[canyoncarver]

if youre so inclined to use the aluminum shift console,..it can be done using factory parts.
the E30 M3s used the 265 trans in conjunction with an aluminum shift console. the adapting bracket for this is readily found in the etk .
having used both sheetmetal and aluminum consoles, i can definitely say the aluminum console makes for a far better shift feel...........

[Steve Haygood]

using a 265 trans in a M5 or any other car with a 280 will pull the center bearing out of place. An adaptor plate can be made and it will work however

[Pyrobob]

So...clue the newbie in...what is the difference between these two transmissions, and are there pros and cons to each one?