Auto Transmission - Urgent HELP reqd. !!

[bimboy]

I bought a 1995 325i (auto, almost 100K miles) a few months back and got it inspected by a BMW mechanic before buying. He suggested a few fixes (replace transmission flex disc, valve cover gasket, accessories belt) and a tune up after buying which came to around $500. He visually inspected the car and test drove it and said there are no major problems. I did all the fixes he suggested..

A few months down the line I sensed that the gear was getting stuck at Reverse or Drive occassionally. Also the gear transition when in Drive wasn't smooth. So I took it to a shop that specializes in transmissions and had them look at it. I got a shock of my life when the mechanic said that the transmission has to be re-built (around $6500) or replaced with a new BMW remanufactured tranny ($4200 parts + labor - 2yrs unlimited miles parts + labor warranty) and said that replacing with a new one would be cheaper than rebuilding. I got a shock of my life.. . Initially I couldn't completely believe him..I went to the shop and he showed me many metal pieces that have worn out and come out of the transmission..like the pulleys, clutch etc (not very familiar with this stuff anyway..). He said that this wear and tear has reached other parts of the transmission and they have been affected badly..I saw quite a few metal pieces and a worn-out pulley and others..still I find it hard to believe the complete tranny has to be replaced insted of just replacing the wornout parts....

I spoke about this to my wife and she got really furious . She was kind of against the idea of me buying a Bimmer (esp. this old) in the first place. I had to do quite a bit of convincing before buying it. Now I am in a dilemma, very confused and kind of upset. Answers to these q's would help me get out of this big mess I am in right now...

1. Should I try and sell the car as is w/o fixing the tranny. Not sure if this a possible.

2. Fix the tranny and then sell it to make sure I dont land up in such a big mess again. (doesn't make too much financial sense to me..)

3. Fix it and keep it. I dont mind keeping it and I certainly do enjoy driving it. Pretty fun to drive motor.. [driving2] . But will always be worried what other big $$$ problem will arise...

4. What are the issues or big maintenance things that I need to be aware at 100K miles which would help me in making my decision. By that I mean which are the things that I need to inspect/check...anything big that can go wrong and burn my wallet again..i cannot take it anymore .

5. The most important of all - Is $4200 a lot to swap the old tranny with a new one. When I called the a BMW dealership they told me that a re-manufactured E36 tranny would cost $2750 (with taxes) if I give them the old tranny. Then the mechanic would be charging me almost $1400 for diagnosizing this problem and swapping the tranny. Isin't this too high? What can I expect to pay. . I would be paying almost 75% of what I paid for the car to replace this tranny..

6. [May be a dumb question] Isin't it possible to replace/re-build the worn out parts rather than replacing the whole tranny..A problem this extensive is it common at 100K miles with a auto-tranny. Can this happen because of (i) tranny abuse, (ii) bad maintenance or (iii) as such poor quality of the tranny. I just learnt today that the tranny's for these cars were made by GM.

Thks in advance for helping me out..

 

[mjbst111]

Sorry to hear about all this bad news. I have to know, did the mechanic show you all these random metal peices from your tranny? Or another tranny as an example. Is the tranny out of your car? What is going on exactly? Never trust a mechanic. NEVER!

I really don't know what to expect as far as costs or rebuilt or labor or anything but before i pay too much to have all of this done i would (and i don't know if you had done this yet) first make sure it had the correct fluid level, then take it to jiffy lube or something and get it flushed.

 

[Kirby]

I had a transmission completely rebuilt in my Volvo 740 a few years ago, paid $2200. $6500 to rebuild is ridiculous. He's either jerking you around, or he really does not want to rebuild it because he does not know how to work on this transmission, so he priced it higher than a factory transmission. $1400 seems to be a bit high for labor for a replacement. You need to get at least one other quote for this job.

It is generally not a good idea to replace one or two parts in an automatic transmission. This is because it is hydraulic powered. The fluid transports debris throughout the transmission, so one part failure tends to affect others. You would wind up with failures every couple of years.

As far as future possible work (somewhat common items):
- water pump, if it has not been replaced already
- radiator - the plastic neck may crack between 100K - 150K miles
- Shocks

Note that these replacement items are fairly common on ANY car, not just a bimmer.

 

[nadroj]

I would get anouther mechanic to look at it and also just changing the tranny fluid may help alot :\

 

[Average Jae]

i'd def get a second opinion. if the gougers of gougers, the dealership is quoting 2750, but this mechanic is quoting 4200, you figure he's making it up like 100% i can't even call this smelling fishy

 

[bimboy]

I found the following link through E-Bay,
http://www.phoenixhardparts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=49

I just called them and they said it is a re-manufactured part. Any idea about the quality and the life of this tranny. Any experiences with this tranny or with other products from this company (phoenixhardparts.com)...I am really in a dilemma whether to go for a BMW re-manufactured one or an OEM part like this one..

Meanwhile I am planning to get a second opinion with some other mechanic. The main problem is that the current mechanic has the tranny opened up and told me before starting the work that it would take $680 to remove the tranny, diagnose the problem and put it back w/o any fix. If I fix it with him $680 would be used towards the labor. So I am kind of in a lock (which I really hate to be in ...) and would lose $680 straight if I dont fix it with him..

 

[Cracky]

Wow, this is why I like knowing private mechanics that will do the work in my driveway.

 

[Big Daddy]

Try here!

 

[bimboy]

http://data.bmrparts.com/bmwparts/12410604991288U.html

Do you know what the life of a used tranny like this would be if well-maintained (change oil and filter regularly..etc). Considering that they are rebuilt with used parts would they be of good quality and have a good life ..?? How far can they go with good maintenance ...

Thanks much

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I'd say you can get another 100k out of it, depending on its condition.... One thing to remember is aside from maintenance items, the only real thing that goes wrong with the auto BMWs are the transmissions at 100k+

In the future don't let mechanics jerk you around like that, if it has a tranny problem where replacement (almost always a guarantee) is required I wouldn't have let them open the tranny in first place. I'd get the used transmission from that link, and since you're stuck let that guy swap it for $1400... try and get some guarantee as well that it wont break down. Some shops do real shoddy work and take pride in making you return every month.

Try and find a reputable BMW mechanic they have some recommended by BMWCCA I'm sure some other members can point you in the right direction...

 

[selavia]

I hate to say this, but pay the jerk the %680 and then tell him take those brokenpieces of metal and do with them what he's attempting to do to you. That guy is absurd! I'm shocked anyone would authorize a mechanic to go ahead with that detail of inspection work. Honestly, if you give him this tranny I belive he will do bad work on purpose and then blame tranny, since you did not buy it from him. I detest mechanics like this. I bet if you look around, you could find someone cheaper, even with the $680 you're already dropping on his useless work.

btw~ a defense for your wife's fury: once tranny is done, car will go at very least 100k with no problems. And let's be honest, does your wife NOT like driving or riding in the car?

Good luck,
Sean

 

[grc]

i'd say you found the highest price in town. we used to RDI (remove disassemble inspect) for under $300, but BMW transmissions are not the same as GM's. shops do charge more, some charge more than more. my trans builder "says" he won't work on certain boxes. he either subs it to a specialist on the particular trans and adds a little for his time, or he quotes it high enough that he can take his time on it and not lose his butt. no one can say a rebuilt or new trans will go 100k, maybe only 40k, maybe less? include the warranty in your consideration. resale on a BMW with a boxed up trans in the trunk isn't real high, you're kinda on the hook. if you pull the job out of that shop and bring it somewhere else, they start off with an attitude because they didn't start the job. it's nice to take it apart yourself if you have to put it back together, but it does happen a lot. it's your nickel, find as many possibilities as you can and decide which is best for you. at this point though i'd plan on driving the thing a while at least after spending the $$$.