ZF 6HP & 8HP automatics, GS6 manuals and the M-car Getrag DCT for the 1, 3, 5 Series, X1, X3 and X5. Most BMW autos are ZF torque-converter boxes, not dual-clutch — compare free quotes from verified suppliers across South Africa.
ZF 8HP · ZF 6HP · Manual · M-DCT · Illustrative
ZF 8HP and 6HP torque-converter autos, ZF 5HP, GS6-37 / GS6-17BG manuals and the Getrag 7-speed M-DCT. Suppliers cover the full BMW range.
Petrol vs diesel, xDrive and N20/B48 vs N47/B47 change the box. Tell us your model, year and engine and we connect you with suppliers who match the exact unit.
Compare used OEM, reconditioned and new options — and ask whether the mechatronic / valve body is included, with warranty confirmed by each supplier.
BMW Gearboxes
Indicative SA pricing by transmission code. Send your VIN for an exact match and a free quote.
Automatic Popular Code: GA8HP45Z / 8HP70Z · 8-speed automatic
Automatic Popular Code: 6HP19 / 6HP26 / 6HP28 · 6-speed automatic
Automatic Code: 5HP19 / 5HP24 · 5-speed automatic
Manual Code: GS6-37BZ / GS6-37DZ / GS6X37DZ · 6-speed manual
Manual Code: GS6-17BG · 6-speed manual
Automatic Code: GS7D36SG (M-DCT) · 7-speed automatic
Product images are illustrative only — the exact gearbox varies by supplier, condition and VIN.
Price guide
Indicative ranges by model and transmission. Actual quotes depend on kilometres, condition, and used vs reconditioned — and whether the mechatronic is included.
| Model / Gearbox | Price Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| F30 / F10 / G-Series — ZF 8HP 8-spd auto | R12,500 – R23,000 |
| E90 / E60 / X5 E70 — ZF 6HP 6-spd auto | R6,500 – R11,000 |
| E46 / E39 six-cyl + X5 E53 (early) — ZF 5HP 5-spd auto | R5,652 – R8,900 |
| 325i / 330i / 525i + diesel — GS6-37 manual | R1,000 – R17,250 |
| 320i N46 — GS6-17BG manual | R1,000 – R8,900 |
| M3 / M4 + sport — Getrag GS7D36SG 7-spd DCT | R17,000 – R23,000 |
These are estimates based on current SA market data — request a free quote for an exact price on your specific model and year.
Condition & warranty
The same BMW gearbox comes three ways in South Africa. Here's how they compare on price, warranty and what you get — so you can tell suppliers which to quote.
Tested second-hand box removed from a low-mileage donor vehicle.
Your old core is surrendered; the box is stripped, rebuilt and tested.
A brand-new unit — aftermarket or genuine OEM-grade.
Not sure which to pick? Send your VIN and ask suppliers to quote all three — you compare price and warranty side by side.
Almost every BMW "automatic" is a ZF torque-converter box — only the M-cars get the Getrag dual-clutch. Find your family below, then send your VIN so suppliers quote the exact box.
The volume boxes — 5HP, 6HP & 8HP. NOT a dual-clutch
The volume modern auto on F30/F10 and G-series (N20/B48 petrol, N47/B47 diesel) — the 6-cyl 8HP70Z runs behind the 330d/530d/X5. "Sealed-for-life" fluid is a myth.
Previous-gen E90/E60/X5 E70 auto. The classic fault is the mechatronic bridge-seal leak — gear hunting, harsh shifts — and the mechatronic is usually quoted separately.
The older 5-speed on the six-cylinder E46 3 Series, E39 5 Series and early X5 E53 — the cheapest BMW auto to source. (4-cyl E46 uses a GM 5L40-E, not ZF.)
GS6 manuals — plus the only dual-clutch BMW fits
The ZF GS6-37 behind the six-cylinder cars — GS6-37BZ petrol, GS6-37DZ diesel and GS6X37DZ xDrive. Petrol and diesel run different torque ratings — not interchangeable.
The lighter GS6-17BG for the four-cylinder 320i (N46) — rated for less torque than the GS6-37 six-cylinder box, so the two are not interchangeable.
The Getrag GS7D36SG — the ONLY dual-clutch BMW fits. M3/M4/M2 plus a few sport variants (135i/335i, Z4 35i). Everything else badged "automatic" is a ZF box.
The 320i, 320d, 520d and the X-models all run a conventional ZF torque-converter box — not a dual-clutch. Only the M-cars and a handful of sport variants get the Getrag DCT. They share no parts, so confusing them is the number-one cause of a mis-sale — confirm yours by VIN.
Still not sure? and suppliers will confirm the exact gearbox for you.
On the ZF autos especially, many of these point to a tired mechatronic or old fluid rather than a dead gearbox — so get it diagnosed before you replace the whole unit.
A BMW gearbox lives or dies on clean fluid and heat management. A few habits go a long way on SA roads:
The single biggest thing to get right with a BMW gearbox is this: almost every BMW "automatic" is a ZF torque-converter box, not a dual-clutch. The mainstream 320i, 320d, 520d and the X1/X3/X5 all use a ZF auto — the older 5HP on the E46/E39, the 6HP on the E90/E60/X3/X5, and the modern 8HP across the F30/F10 and G-series. The only dual-clutch (DCT) BMW fits is the Getrag GS7D36SG, and that is reserved for the M3/M4/M2 and a handful of sport variants like the 135i and 335i. These boxes share no parts, so confusing them is the number-one cause of mis-sales. If you're weighing up an engine at the same time, it's worth comparing a used BMW engine so you can plan the whole job — see the related-parts links below.
On the ZF 6HP the part that usually fails is the mechatronic (the valve body plus control electronics), and its bridge-seal leak is a classic — causing gear hunting, harsh shifts and limp-mode rather than a dead gearbox. The mechatronic is frequently sold separately from the box, so a cheap "ZF gearbox" can become a much bigger bill once it's added. Always confirm whether a quote includes it.
BMW marketed the ZF 8HP and 6HP fluid as "sealed for life", but ZF itself says to service it (roughly every 80,000–100,000 km). Most of the 8HP failures driving replacement demand come from boxes that were never serviced, combined with overheating under load — so harsh shifts aren't always a dead box. It's worth having the fault properly diagnosed and the fluid serviced before committing to a full replacement. If the car is older and you're weighing up the spend, it's also worth checking what it's worth for scrap first. Engine Finder is a marketplace — submit one free quote request and verified BMW gearbox suppliers across South Africa come back to you with prices, warranties and availability.
A used BMW manual starts around R1,000 for older E-series boxes (up to ~R17,250 for later or higher-spec units). On the automatic side the older ZF 5HP runs roughly R5,652 – R8,900, the ZF 6HP about R6,500 – R11,000, and the modern ZF 8HP around R12,500 – R23,000. The M-car Getrag DCT is a specialist box at roughly R17,000 – R23,000. Prices depend on used vs reconditioned and whether the mechatronic is included. Submit one quote request and compare verified suppliers for your exact model.
Almost certainly a ZF. Nearly every mainstream BMW "automatic" — 320i, 320d, 520d and the X-models — uses a conventional ZF torque-converter box (5HP, 6HP or 8HP). The only dual-clutch BMW fits is the Getrag GS7D36SG 7-speed DCT, and that is reserved for the M3/M4/M2 and a few sport variants (135i, 335i, Z4 35i). They share no parts, so when you request a quote, give your exact model, year and engine and suppliers will confirm whether you need a ZF auto or the M-DCT.
The mechatronic is the valve body plus control electronics inside the ZF box. On the ZF 6HP its bridge-seal commonly leaks, which causes gear hunting, harsh or delayed shifts and limp-mode — and it is often the real fault rather than a dead gearbox. The mechatronic is frequently sold separately from the gearbox, so a cheap "ZF box" can become a bigger bill once it is added. Always confirm whether a quote includes the mechatronic.
Yes. BMW marketed the ZF auto fluid as "sealed for life", but ZF itself recommends servicing it (typically every 80,000–100,000 km). Most ZF 8HP and 6HP failures we see demand for come from boxes that were never serviced, combined with overheating under load. If your box is hunting or shifting harshly, a proper diagnosis and fluid service is worth doing before committing to a full replacement.
It depends on the engine. The four-cylinder 320i (N46) uses the lighter GS6-17BG. The six-cylinder cars (325i, 330i, 525i) use the GS6-37 — GS6-37BZ for petrol, GS6-37DZ for diesel and GS6X37DZ for xDrive diesel. These are built to different torque ratings and are not interchangeable, so give your exact model, year and engine when you request a quote. Manual codes on the newer F30/F20/G20 cars should be confirmed by VIN.
It varies by supplier. Used units typically carry a 30–90 day warranty; reconditioned and new aftermarket boxes usually 6–12 months. On ZF boxes, check whether the mechatronic is covered, and on the M-DCT confirm the clutch and mechatronic condition. Always get the warranty terms in writing and confirm whether fitment at a qualified workshop is required.
Find your model
Jump to your model for prices, gearbox codes and a free quote.
Doing a bigger job than just the gearbox? Compare quotes on these too.
Send us your BMW model, year, engine and whether it's a ZF auto, manual or M-DCT. We'll get verified suppliers to quote you on used, reconditioned and new transmissions.
