Enginesandgearboxes.co.uk is undoubtedly the UK’S leading in new, reconditioned and used supplier online; we undoubtedly have the largest stock of BMW 3 Series Gearboxes in the UK. We provide fully guaranteed second hand gearboxes parts direct to your door at discounted prices and all have a 100% warranty with free postage, we constantly strive to help our customers save huge amounts of money on BMW 3 Series Gearboxes every day.

BMW 3 Series Gearboxes

All new 3 Series transmission choices are 6-speeds. The manual gearbox, standard on all models, is engineered to provide what buyers want when they choose it: precise control and a high level of driving pleasure.

Fitted as standard, the six-speed manual gearbox directs the full force of the engine’s power immediately and precisely to the rear wheels, while the greater spread between the six gears and short-throw shifts of just 55mm allow for unprecedented sporting dynamics. These qualities are enhanced even further by the six-speed automatic gearbox Steptronic to produce sprint-style acceleration.

Steptronic makes your driving pleasure more active, Steptronic makes shifting gears in a BMW with an automatic gearbox as dynamic and sporting as it is with a manual gearbox. Steptronis is a Manumatic which is a portmanteau word, combining the words manual and automatic, that applies to a class of automotive gearboxes. Manumatic most often refers to an automatic transmission, with some elements of manual transmission control (e.g. a gear can be manually selected instead of having the computer control all shifts). This type of transmission was introduced in the beginning of the 21st century. Different car manufacturers have been using a variety of labels for their manumatic transmissions, such as ‘tiptronic’, ‘Geartronic’, ‘Touchshift’, ‘Sporttronic’, and others.

This flexible feature quickly transforms the six speed automatic transmission in your BMW to a six-speed manual. When the gear selector lever is moved easily to activate Steptronic, you can shift gears up and down as with a manual transmission.

BMW also places a high priority on active driving pleasure with its automatic transmissions. Recent refinements to the 3 Series’ automatics have improved their sportiness, precision and efficiency: a torque converter that slips less, quicker shifting, finer adaptation to driving style and conditions. All BMW automatics include a Sport mode that quickens shifting and holds the lower gears longer; and a Manual mode that allows the driver to take charge of virtually all shifting.

Steering wheel mounted shift paddles are added on all automatic 3 Series models with the Sport Package, and include a Direct Selection feature, When the driver is motoring along in Drive and makes a shift via paddle, the transmission goes into the Manual mode.

The older 3 series models was offered with two transmissions; a standard 6-speed manual, or an optional sequential manual gearbox.

Seven-speed sports automatic transmission.

Increase driving pleasure in your BMW 3 Series Coupé with the seven-speed sports automatic transmission with double clutch. This transmission changes gears with lightning speed and without any power gap.

The double-clutch switches between the two separate drivetrains, one for the even gears second, fourth and sixth and one for the odd gears first, third, fifth, seventh. This means that if you accelerate the BMW 3 Series Coupé in third gear for example, the fourth gear is already engaged. This produces extremely fast shift times with the resulting acceleration figures approaching sports car level. And because faster gear changes produce less friction loss, the sports automatic transmission saves 0.2 litres of petrol every 100 kilometres.

The gearshift paddles on the steering wheel mean that you can change gear in manual mode without ever having to take your hands from the wheel. When braking the engine speed is adjusted to the next gear while the rear wheels offer increased grip and optimal stability.

How to check an automatic gearbox

First, check the gearbox fluid level and condition with the engine idling, gearbox in “Park” (some cars may have different procedure, refer to owner’s manual) remove the automatic gearbox dipstick and wipe it out with the clean cloth. Then insert it back and pull out again. Check the fluid level, low level may indicate a gearbox leak. Look at the fluid very closely. It helps to drip the fluid on a white paper to be able to see fluid condition. The fluid on the paper should be clean and transparent, without any metal filings or black flakes. New fluid usually comes red. Over the time and with much use, it becomes more brownish, but it shouldn’t be black. Look at the image on the left. Try to smell the fluid. It should not have a burnt smell. All this may seem to be difficult for you, but when you check few similar cars, you’ll be able to see the difference. If you discover that gearbox fluid is too dirty or black, or smells burnt, avoid buying such a car. Keep in mind, however, that some modern cars simply don’t have the gearbox dipstick and require special procedure performed in a garage to check the fluid level. In this case, the only way to check it is a test drive.

The modern gearbox is by far, the most complicated mechanical component in today’s automobile. Newer gearboxes contain mechanical systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems and computer controls, all working together in perfect harmony which goes virtually unnoticed until there is a problem.

On a rear wheel drive car, power flow on a rear wheel drive the gearbox is usually mounted to the back of the engine and is located under the hump in the centre of the floorboard alongside the gas pedal position. A drive shaft connects the rear of the gearbox to the final drive which is located in the rear axle and is used to send power to the rear wheels. Power flow on this system is simple and straight forward going from the engine, through the torque converter, then through the gearbox and drive shaft until it reaches the final drive where it is split and sent to the two rear wheels.

Our committment to you

We are the BMW 3 Series Gearbox specialists, it’s all we do, and we do it well and we are the best at offering any make or model of gearboxes.

BMW 3 Series Gearboxes are getting ever more complicated and sophisticated, which is great until the gearbox goes wrong! If your gearbox has gone we’re ready to deal with almost anything, is your gearbox broken? If so enginesandgearboxes.co.uk can help. Whatever your need, or we can take care of it – we stock all makes and models of gearboxes for any car for example high performance, specialist vehicles, 4×4, manual, automatic, semi-automatic or Manumatic, nothing is impossible for us when it comes to helping our customers.

Please fill in the ‘Quick Find’ form for a quick quote or pick up the phone to talk to our team member. We guarantee to beat any genuine quote and all our gearboxes come with a no quibble warrantee.

Carl Wilson
Carl Wilson
You won't believe it, I'm native Scotsman. Enthusiast. Car lovers. Almost finished rebuilding my Reliant Saber