2004 Used BMW Transmissions For Sale

65
verified 2004 BMW transmissions
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Up to 3 yrs
extended warranty available
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shipment

2004 Used BMW Transmissions For Sale

65 verified used transmissions for the 2004 BMW range, counted live from our warehouse this week. 2004 is a split year: the E46 3-Series, E83 X3, E53 X5 3.0i and E85 Z4 all run the GM 5L40-E five-speed Steptronic, divided rear-drive against xi, while the brand-new E60 5-Series and the E65/E66 7-Series carry ZF 6HP19 and 6HP26 six-speeds and the X5 4.4i takes a ZF 5HP24 of its own. Getrag and ZF manuals and the SMG II sequential sit alongside both. Every unit is ASE-tested and matched to your VIN before it ships.

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Warranty On Every Unit
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ASE-Tested & Verified
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2004 BMW Transmission Families

Which gearbox sits behind which 2004 BMW, and how many of each we hold today.

Transmission family Fits (2004) In stock
GM 5L40-E five-speed Steptronic — rear-drive E46 325i, 325Ci, 330i, 330Ci sedan/coupe/convertible/wagon; E85 Z4 2.5i and 3.0i 17
GM 5L40-E five-speed Steptronic — xDrive/AWD E46 325xi and 330xi; E83 X3 2.5i and 3.0i; E53 X5 3.0i 16
Getrag / ZF manual — rear-drive E46 325i and 320i (Canada); E60 545i six-speed; E63 645Ci six-speed; E85 Z4 without SMG 9
Getrag / ZF manual — xDrive/AWD E46 325xi and 330xi; E83 X3; E53 X5 3.0i 9
ZF 6HP26 six-speed Steptronic — rear-drive E60 545i; E63 645Ci; E65/E66 745Li, 760i and 760Li (V12 variant of the case) 5
SMG II sequential — rear-drive E46 325Ci; E60 525i and 530i six-speed SMG; E85 Z4 2.5i and 3.0i SMG 5
ZF 6HP19 six-speed Steptronic — rear-drive E60 525i and 530i automatics 2
ZF 5HP24 five-speed — AWD E53 X5 4.4i only; never interchangeable with the 3.0i five-speed 1
SMG II sequential — xDrive/AWD E46 330xi six-speed SMG; the all-wheel-drive SMG case is its own part 1
Total 65

Other BMW Model Years

Every model year we hold BMW transmissions for. Years without a link are in stock but have no year page yet — text us your VIN.

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
19971996199519941993
1992
1991

Why Buy a 2004 BMW Transmission from Auto Power Source

Every 2004 BMW gearbox we list has been pulled from a low-mileage donor vehicle, cleaned, pressure-checked and bench-tested by our ASE-certified technicians before it goes on the shelf. We log the case code, the bellhousing pattern, the valve-body revision and the drive type on each unit, so when you send us a VIN we are matching hardware, not guessing from a model name.

On a 2004 BMW the drivetrain split decides fitment more than the badge does. The same 325i can be rear-drive on a GM 5L40-E or xi on the same family of case with a different output housing and transfer-case interface, and the two are not interchangeable. Our Fits column names the drive type on every family row for exactly that reason.

Each transmission ships with our standard parts warranty, free commercial-address freight in the lower 48, and a written confirmation of which unit we matched to your vehicle. If the gearbox we send does not fit the car your VIN describes, the return is ours to arrange, not yours to argue.

Our team quotes from live shelf stock rather than a broker list, so the count on this page is the number of 2004 BMW transmissions we can actually ship. Text your VIN to +1-307-441-5554 and we will come back with the matching options, the price and the lead time in one message.

📱 Fastest way to match: text us your VIN, get options in minutes.Text Your VIN →

Your 2004 BMW Transmission Options: Compared

Most 2004 BMW owners face four real choices when the transmission fails:

← Swipe sideways to see all columns →
Option Cost Reliability Warranty Fitment Match
Used OEM (this collection) $$$ Best Value High — tested Included VIN-matched
New OEM (dealer) $$$$$ 2-4× more High Manufacturer Exact
Aftermarket / Reman $$$$ Varies 6-12 mo May adapt
Junkyard $ Cheapest Unknown None DIY

Tested used OEM hits the sweet spot — same engineering as new, fraction of the cost.

2004 BMW Transmission Buying Guide

5 things to verify before buying a used 2004 BMW transmission:

  1. Settle the drive type first. On a 2004 BMW this decides fitment more than anything else. A rear-drive E46 325i and an all-wheel-drive 325xi both sit on the GM 5L40-E family but take different output housings and transfer-case interfaces. The same split runs through the 330i/330xi pair and separates the E85 Z4 from the E83 X3 and E53 X5.
  2. Know whether the car is a five-speed or a six-speed. 2004 straddles the changeover. The E46 3-Series, E83 X3, E53 X5 3.0i and E85 Z4 automatics are five-speed GM 5L40-E units and the X5 4.4i is a ZF 5HP24; the new E60 525i and 530i are ZF 6HP19 and the E65/E66 745Li, 760i and 760Li are ZF 6HP26. A six-speed will not bolt behind a five-speed car's driveline.
  3. Check for the SMG option before buying a manual. An SMG II car is not a plain manual with a different lever. It carries the hydraulic actuator, pump and control unit on the case, and our listings separate "Sequential Manual Gearbox" units from "w/o Sequential Manual Gearbox" ones. Swapping one for the other means moving the whole actuation system too, and the all-wheel-drive SMG case is a separate part again.
  4. Mind the mid-year build splits. Several E46 325i, 325Ci and 325xi manuals split at the September 2003 build change, and we hold both the "Thru 8/03" and "From 9/03" versions; the Canadian-market 320i splits on the same date. The E46 automatics also split on engine variant — M54 with the oil filler cap on the left of the rocker cover against the SLEV M56 with it on the right — which changes the bellhousing match.
  5. Confirm the match with your own VIN before you order. Your VIN settles the transmission code, drive type and build split in one step. Text it to +1-307-441-5554 and we will confirm in writing exactly which unit fits your vehicle before you pay.

Our ASE-certified technicians verify every one of these points against your VIN before any unit ships.

📞 Need help choosing the right 2004 BMW transmission? Talk to our team live.Call 1-877-313-8995

Frequently Asked Questions

Which transmission is in my 2004 BMW?
It depends on the body and the drive type. A 2004 325i, 325Ci, 325xi, 330i, 330Ci or 330xi automatic is a GM 5L40-E five-speed Steptronic, as are the E83 X3 and the E53 X5 3.0i and the E85 Z4; the X5 4.4i takes a ZF 5HP24 instead. The new E60 525i and 530i automatics are ZF 6HP19 six-speeds, and the 545i, the E63 645Ci and the E65/E66 745Li, 760i and 760Li are ZF 6HP26. Manuals are Getrag and ZF five and six-speeds. Send us the VIN and we will name the exact unit.
Is a rear-drive transmission interchangeable with an all-wheel-drive one?
No. On a 2004 BMW the rear-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the same family take different output housings and mate to the transfer case differently, so one will not substitute for the other even where the internals are shared. This is the single most common mismatch on BMWs of this era, which is why the drive type is named on every family row above.
What is the difference between a manual and an SMG II unit?
SMG II is a conventional manual gearbox fitted with a hydraulic clutch and shift actuator, a pump and its own control unit. The gearset is close to the manual's but the hardware on the outside of the case is not, and the car's wiring and software expect it. Our listings separate the two explicitly, so tell us which one your car has — or send the VIN and we will check.
Do you hold the 2004 build splits?
Yes. The E46 325i, 325Ci and 325xi manuals and the Canadian 320i changed in September 2003 and we stock both sides of that split. Several E46 automatics also split by engine variant — M54 against the SLEV M56 — which changes the bellhousing match. Your VIN resolves which side of each split your car sits on.
Can I fit a 2004 unit to a 2005 or 2003 BMW?
Sometimes, but not as a rule. The E60 and E65 arrived with six-speeds while the E46 stayed on the five-speed, so the overlap across 2003 to 2005 is uneven, and 2006 moved several cars to the GA6L45R. Cross-year fitment has to be checked against the actual case code and connector, not the model year, so we confirm it from your VIN before shipping anything.
What does the warranty cover?
Every used 2004 BMW transmission we ship carries our standard parts warranty against internal failure, starting the day the unit is delivered. The coverage, the claim process and what falls outside it are set out in full on our warranty page, and we will send you the terms in writing with the quote so nothing is a surprise.
How is a used transmission tested before it ships?
Each unit is drained and inspected, the case and pan checked for cracks and prior repair, the valve body and solenoid resistances measured, the input and output shafts checked for play, and the case code and connector recorded against the donor application. Units that fail any step do not go on the shelf. An ASE-certified technician signs off the match to your VIN before it leaves.
How soon can a 2004 BMW transmission ship?
Most of the 65 units on this page are on our own shelves and ship the same or next business day once the match is confirmed and payment clears. Freight to a commercial address in the lower 48 is included and typically runs three to six business days. Text your VIN to +1-307-441-5554 or call 1-877-313-8995 and we will give you the exact lead time for your unit.
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Every BMW transmission you buy earns rewards. 10 orders (yours or referred) = $500 cash credit. Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers with discounts, priority support, and private inventory access.
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100K+
Engines+Transmissions In Stock
0%
fitment-related returns
All 50
states covered, free freight
36
brands covered

Our 6-Step Inspection & Shipping Process

Every BMW transmission we ship has been through these six steps:

1. VIN-Matching
We match the donor VIN to your VIN to confirm transmission code, drivetrain, and RWD/xDrive configuration.
2. Tested & Verified
ASE-certified technicians Shift-Test every gear under load. Units are checked for clean engagement, no slipping, no abnormal noises.
3. Noise & Smoke Verification
Units are run to verify normal mechanical sound and clean operation — catches internal wear static tests miss.
4. Visual Inspection
Every accessible component is inspected: bell housing, output shaft, Mechatronic sleeve, cooler lines, sensor harnesses.
5. Photograph & Catalog
Multi-angle photos sent to you BEFORE we ship for your approval.
6. Palletize & Ship
Strapped on a heavy-duty wooden pallet, shipped via freight at no charge.

Our Photos-Before-Shipment Guarantee

Before any transmission leaves our warehouse, we send you multi-angle photographs. You approve. If you do not approve, you get every dollar back — no questions, no restocking fees, no return freight charges. On top of 30-day money-back and the warranty included with every unit. Browse all 65 2004 BMW transmissions below.

✉ Email Us at info@autopowersource.com
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