97 m3 tranny same as 3 series 5 speed?

[blackie]

My friend 97 m3 tranny has bit the dust. do i have to get a m3 tranny or is the 3 series the same tranny??
BTW the tranny makes an awful clack clack metal to metal sound when you start the car whether its in gear or not, and it wont let you switch gears whiles it running and then smoke starts coming out the side of the tranny?!?! wtf would cause that?? and why does it sound like nuts and bolts rattling around inside the gears?? i drained the tranny fluid and their was barley 1 qt in their and it was all black, i saw some small metal shaving but no chunks. i think the clutch is still working properly because i was able to push start it. also why wont the car start?? every sense his tranny messed up the car wont crank?? what would cause this?? is their a switch or something telling the ecu or car that tranny is screwed so it wont let it start or something?? thanks.

[speicte]

I believe the 328 trannies are the same ZF units as the M3s. but they didnt start that until 97 or 98. the ZF tranny is heavier and a bit more robust than a 325. I used a 325 tranny on my s52 OBDI conversion motor that I dropped in an E30 chassis. It is a bit lighter and was shipped with my motor. (long story, don't ask) I didn't even realize it until I was almost ready to drop it it. By that time, I just decided to use it rather than hunt down an M3/328 tranny and redo my gear linkage. The guibo is a bit different and the gear shift linkage is slightly different. Anyway, if I were you, I would look for a 328 model, because anytime you say 'M3', they want to charge you more. I am pretty sure the 328 part numbers are the same as well. Good luck.
-ted

[Jeron]

If the clutch is working properly then you should be able ot start the car and idle it with the clutch in.