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BMW M57 Transmissions

Manual and automatic gearboxes paired with the BMW M57 diesel, by chassis — including Getrag and ZF (5HP/6HP) codes.

E39

Manual: ZF GS5-39DZ (S5-39) — 5-speed manual — Diesel M57 E39 uses the 5-speed GS5-39DZ, NOT the later 6-speed GS6-53DZ.
Manual fluid: BMW MTF-LT-2 (LT-3 supersedes); ~1.5 L
Auto: GM 5L40-E (A5S360R / A5S390R) — 5-speed auto — Six-cylinder diesel E39 used the GM 5L40-E (BMW code A5S390R). ZF 5HP24 in E39 is the V8 petrol box, not diesel. ⚠️ Some parts catalogues also list the ZF 5HP19 (A5S325Z) for 6-cyl E39 — verify by VIN.
Auto fluid: GM Dexron-III / BMW ATF (Esso/Texaco); drain ~4 L, total ~9 L
Diff: Rear diff only (RWD); 75W-90 GL-5 — E39 diesel was RWD only; no transfer case.

Auto: ZF 5HP24 (A5S440Z) — 5-speed auto — E38 730d was auto-only in most markets.
Auto fluid: Esso ATF LT 71141; total ~9 L
Diff: Rear diff; 75W-90 GL-5

Manual: GS6-53DZ — 6-speed manual (ZF/Getrag S6-53) — E46 330d uses the 6-speed GS6-53DZ (320d uses smaller GS6-37DZ).
Manual fluid: BMW MTF-LT-2; ~1.3–1.5 L
Auto: ZF 5HP19 (A5S325Z) — 5-speed auto — ⚠️ Confirm by VIN — some 6-cyl E46 also list GM 5L40-E.
Auto fluid: ATF (Esso LT 71141-class); drain ~3–4 L
Transfer: 330xd only: BMW transfer case (permanent AWD) — 330xd rare; verify. 330d/330Cd are RWD (no transfer).

Manual: GS6-53DZ — 6-speed manual (some markets) — ⚠️ Manual X5 3.0d rare (mostly auto). Verify by VIN.
Manual fluid: BMW MTF-LT-2/LT-3; ~1.5 L
Auto: GM 5L40-E (A5S390R) — 5-speed auto (early); ZF 5HP24 also referenced — ⚠️ Conflict: strongest sources tie the E53 3.0d diesel to the GM 5L40-E; the ZF 5HP24 in E53 attaches to the 4.4i/4.6is petrol. Verify by VIN — do not assume 5HP24 for the diesel.
Auto fluid: GM/BMW ATF (Dexron-class); drain ~4–5 L
Transfer: BMW transfer case (xDrive/permanent AWD); BMW fluid PN 83220397244; ~0.8 L
Diff: Front ~0.7 L + rear ~1.5 L; 75W-90 GL-5

Manual: GS6-53DZ — 6-speed manual (ZF/Getrag S6-53) — Rated to ~600 Nm. 535d (twin-turbo, 560 Nm) was auto-only in most markets — manual 535d not offered.
Manual fluid: BMW MTF-LT-3; refill ~1.5 L; PN 83222339221
Auto: ZF 6HP26 (GA6HP26Z) — 6-speed auto (pre-LCI); ZF 6HP28 on LCI (07–10) — 530xd/525xd use the xDrive variant (GA6HP26Z 4-wheel). 535d twin-turbo also 6HP26/6HP28 (torque-converter PN 7581581 shared 535d/635d).
Auto fluid: ZF Lifeguard 6; total ~9.9 L, drain ~5 L; BMW PN 83220142516
Transfer: 530xd/525xd: BMW xDrive transfer case (ATC series) — RWD 530d/525d/535d have no transfer case.
Diff: Rear diff (RWD); + front diff on xDrive; 75W-90 GL-5

Auto: ZF 6HP26 (GA6HP26Z) then ZF 6HP28 (LCI 07–10) — 6-speed auto — 635d = M57 twin-turbo (286 hp/580 Nm), auto only.
Auto fluid: ZF Lifeguard 6; total ~9.9 L, drain ~5 L; PN 83220142516
Diff: Rear diff (RWD); 75W-90 GL-5

Auto: ZF 6HP26 — 6-speed auto (730d); ZF 6HP28 on long-wheelbase/later — E65 7-series diesel was auto-only. ⚠️ 6HP26 vs 6HP28 split by year/model — verify by VIN.
Auto fluid: ZF Lifeguard 6; total ~9 L, drain ~5 L; PN 83220142516

Auto: ZF 6HP26 (GA6HP26Z/26X) — 6-speed auto; some late = ZF 6HP28 — E70 X5 was auto-only. xDrive35d/3.0sd = M57 twin-turbo. Post-2010 xDrive30d is N57, not M57.
Transfer: BMW xDrive transfer case (ATC 400/500); DTF-1 fluid (BMW 83222409710); ~1.0 L
Diff: Front ~0.65 L + rear ~1.2 L; 75W-90 GL-5 (SAF-XO); front PN 83222365987

Auto: ZF 6HP26 (GA6HP26Z) — 6-speed auto — X6 35d = M57 twin-turbo, auto only. (X6 M's 6HP28 M-Sport is the petrol S63, not M57.)
Transfer: BMW xDrive transfer case (ATC series); DTF-1 fluid
Diff: Front + rear diff; 75W-90 GL-5

Manual: GS6-53DZ — 6-speed manual — Manual X3 3.0d offered in Europe.
Manual fluid: BMW MTF-LT-3; ~1.5 L; PN 83222339221
Auto: GM 5L40-E (A5S390R) — 5-speed auto (early M57N); some later = ZF 6HP26 — ⚠️ Conflict: early E83 3.0d = GM 5L40-E; some late (2007+) 3.0d list ZF 6HP26. sd/35d twin-turbo = ZF 6HP26. Verify by VIN.
Auto fluid: 5L40-E: GM/BMW ATF, drain ~4–5 L; 6HP26: Lifeguard 6
Transfer: BMW xDrive transfer case (ATC 300); DTF-1 fluid; ~0.6–1.0 L — ⚠️ Capacity conflict 0.6 vs 0.8–1.0 L. Early E83 was permanent AWD (xDrive).
Diff: Front ~0.6–0.7 L + rear ~1.1–1.5 L; 75W-90 GL-5

Manual: GS6-53DZ — 6-speed manual (325d/330d) — 335d twin-turbo (580 Nm) is auto-only — no manual.
Auto: ZF 6HP19 (GA6HP19Z) — 6-speed auto (pre-LCI 330d/335d); ZF 6HP28 on LCI (09–13) — ⚠️ Early E90 diesel = 6HP19; LCI (2009+) = 6HP28. 6HP21 is a 6HP19 development (aka 6HP19tu/6HP19z) — some listings use it. Verify by VIN. 335d always auto.
Transfer: 330xd/xDrive: BMW xDrive transfer case (ATC series) — RWD 330d/325d/335d have no transfer case.

Auto: ZF 5HP24 (primary) or GM 5L40-E (alt fitment) — 5-speed auto — JLR-genuine: two auto fitments documented. Land Rover drivetrain, not BMW.
Auto fluid: ZF 5HP24: Esso ATF LT 71141, refill 6.0 L / dry 9.9 L. GM 5L40-E: Texaco ETL-7045E, refill 5.3 L / dry 9.7 L
Transfer: Land Rover transfer box; Castrol BOT 26 FMB 1; refill 0.95 L / dry 1.0 L — NOT BMW DTF-1 — Land Rover uses its own transfer fluid.
Diff: Front refill 0.75 L / dry 0.8 L; rear refill 1.0 L / dry 1.2 L; 75W/90 API GL5

Mating: M57 uses the BMW inline-6 bellhousing pattern (shared broadly with M50/M52/M54/S54-era boxes), so the same adapter families cover petrol and diesel sixes.
Mating: GS6-53DZ (6-speed) is the common heavy-duty donor manual for M57 swaps (rated ~600 Nm); also seen: GS6-45DZ, GS6-37DZ, GS5-39DZ, ZF S5D 320Z. Adapter plate + custom flywheel typically required; OE M57 starter often reusable but housing may need grinding to clear the plate.
Mating: M57TU / M57N (approx. 2004–2006) have a WIDER bellhousing — needs the correct-generation adapter/transfer-case interface. Confirm which case your engine has before ordering plates.
Mating: Automatic swaps: ZF 6HP (6HP26) highly regarded/strong; ZF 8HP (8HP50–8HP76) increasingly popular for ratios. Autos need a TCU/EGS controller or CAN emulator to shift. Adapter-kit vendors: PMC Motorsport, IOD Performance, Brightstone Engineering (plates to ~1000 Nm).