5 Speed Tranmission Questions

[demos]

This is the type of transmission in my 1981 316:


Now according to https://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=124:
"There was also an optional close ratio 5 speed gearbox with a dogleg pattern and a 1:1 (prise direct) 5th gear for more sporty characteristics."

a- What dogleg pattern? My 1st, 2nd, gear are in normal positions not like the E30 M3 which actually has a dogleg pattern.

b- 5th gear for me is exactly same ratio as 3rd gear. The car reaches 160km/hr easily in 4th gear. It shifts flawlessly, better than many 2020 manual cars I've driven. Also put fresh fluid months ago.
So Is my transmission faulty? Or is that the 'sporty characteristics' they're talking a bout?

[Jeroen]

Hi,

1. Dogleg pattern indeed means the same pattern as the E30 M3 (non-US) has.
2. Same ratio in 5th as in 3rd is mechanically impossible, either it is not switching to 5th, or, more likely, you just have a stock 4 speed gearbox! Maybe check if your gearbox has the extension as shown on the picture. If it doesn't, it's a 4 speed.
3. Sporty characteristics means gear ratios closer to each other. Only on dogleg.

[polov8]

If 5th gear is the same ratio as 3rd gear, you either don't have 5th gear, or your selector is so worn it won't let you engage 5th and you just get 3rd again.

I would have thought it's unlikely you have a dogleg box. They tend to be on 323i's. The easiest way to ID your gearbox is to read the code off the top of the bellhousing.




My '83 316 (1. has an ME code meaning it has the 240 overdrive 5 speed.

T or BO -> m10 Getrag 245 CR
BJ or GJ -> m20 Getrag 245 CR
BN,GH or GL -> m10 Getrag 245 OD
GC,GG or GM -> m20 Getrag 245 OD
ME,MF -> m10 Getrag 240 OD
MG -> m20 Getrag 240 OD
CR = “sport” and OD = overdrive

In my case the ratios are
1st 3.72:1
2nd 2.02:1
3rd 1.32:1
4th 1.00:1
5th 0.81:1
Rv 3.45:1

[demos]

Thanks guys . I went to check the stamp as Andy suggested and here's what it read: 062122AW
Seems like it's an "AW" model transmission, which is exactly how I scream when I shift from 4th to 5th: "AWWW SH17 !!!!!"