LexFather

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...=2007710110410


PHELAN'S CORNER: BMW 3-series uses Cadillac transmission
October 11, 2007

The six-speed automatic transmission in the 2008 Cadillac CTS is the latest in a line of gearboxes General Motors sells to another luxury automaker.

GM produces the transmission for the CTS at its plant in Strasbourg, France, and sells it to BMW for use in the German automaker's best-selling model, the iconic 3-series. BMW also uses the automatic in its X3 SUV and the 1-series compact performance car that went on sale in Europe a year ago and hits U.S. roads in 2008.

GM has a long history of selling automatic transmissions to luxury brands that need reliable gearboxes for high-powered models but don't have the resources or inclination to develop their own automatic.

For decades, every car Rolls-Royce and Bentley built used a four-speed transmission from GM's Hydra-Matic division developed for the company's pickups and SUVs. The two ultra-luxury marques now buy their transmissions from German supplier ZF AG. Coincidentally, ZF builds the steering gear in the 2008 CTS.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Not too surprised. If anything, GM auto trannies are usually damn good at holding power.

Too bad the tranny doesn't sell the car, otherwise GM would have been banking more money

Lexmex

GM trannies are very tough. My uncle has a buddy who works on trannies and he rarely gets to see a GM tranny though plenty of Ford and Chrysler products.

carguy101

Yeah, but I bet those "unbiased" auto journalists would say that the same GM 6 speed tranny in the 3 series is like butter, while in a GM car it's just so-so.

whoster

even if the basic hardware is the same, a lot of automotive hardware can be tuned differently just with their ECU setup...and given the target market for the BMW and Cadillac, it's likely that their ECUs are setup differently for a different feel.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Our family has owned a ford and chrysler product before. Their trannies are horrible. Shifts rough and clutch chattering all the time. GM has been great to us though. Can't say the same for the interior though.

maniax

iTrader: (3)

So what if BMW uses GM trannies. lol since when was BMW more reliable than GM?

mavericck

Big Deal, I know Caddy used a German manual transmission (Getrag) with their old CTS.

<VENOM>

They have been doing this for years, most of the inline 6 cylinders from BMW have the GM trans, the Isuzu Ascender also used it, it's essentially BMW design and specs built by GM.

Google BMW trans problems, they seem to crap out at over 100k with the lifetime fluid and no fluid change

Mr. Jones

128i and 328i use the hydramatic

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Excellent transmissions (butter smooth) along with the Getrag manual.

L&E

That's very interesting. The new CTS does have a nice tranny.... I'd take the manual though... every time