Help! Repair Transmission or Cut my losses?

[MikeB325i]

I have a 1993 BMW 325I that's at the shop with some transmission problems. They won't even work on the car (they say it's too big of a job), so on Monday I'm going to get it towed to AAMCO Transmission Shop for an estimate. Here's my question:

The approximate value of the car is $5250. It has 167,000 miles on it, but I've put over $2,000 into the car in the last year (new springs/shocks, other suspension parts, tires, maintenance, etc). If this was your car and your situation, would you:

a) Pay to Re-build the transmission?
b) Try to sell the car "as-is"?
c) Fix the car and keep it?
d) Fix the car and sell it?

I'm working on a rather tight budget here. Does anybody have an idea of what an entirely rebuilt transmission would cost me? Any help/advice would be very appreciated. I should be enjoying Christmas with my family instead of obsessing about this damn car. I could really use any advice. Merry Christmas and thanks again for your help!

 

[bmwhighrolla]

if i were you i would look for a used one look on ebay for like a 1992 e36 in bad condition with good tranny or a e36 totaled with good tranny if you need some ill help you look just pm me or im me on msn or aim

 

[epj3]

Too big of a job? Sounds like bullshit to me... Replacing the tranny on a BMW is not much more complicated than replacing that on any old rwd car. They could charge ya for the extra 2 hours of labor.

If the car is in good condition, replace the tranny.

 

[polar]

and isn't that a GM tranny in your BMW?

 

[MikeB325i]

Thanks for your help everyone.

Highrolla: I don't have the equipment or the "know-how" to personally do this job myself. I need to have a shop do it for me so I know it is done correctly. Otherwise, I would definitely take your advice and look for a totalled E36 on Ebay with a good transmission. But then I'll have ANOTHER car sitting around that I need to sell...I already have two!

epj3: Is replacing the Tranny a relatively easy job on an E36? Can the transmission be dropped out of the car, or do they need to remove the engine first? Could you give me an idea of what amount I'll probably have to pay for a re-built transmission?

polar: I have no idea what kind of transmission is in the car, but I know it is stock. What is a "GM" tranny?

Again, thank you all very much for your help. Have a safe and happy New Year!

=Mike

 

[Kirby]

and isn't that a GM tranny in your BMW?

GM makes some of the auto trannies. The manual transmission is made by Getrag.

 

[epj3]

Thanks for your help everyone.

Highrolla: I don't have the equipment or the "know-how" to personally do this job myself. I need to have a shop do it for me so I know it is done correctly. Otherwise, I would definitely take your advice and look for a totalled E36 on Ebay with a good transmission. But then I'll have ANOTHER car sitting around that I need to sell...I already have two!

epj3: Is replacing the Tranny a relatively easy job on an E36? Can the transmission be dropped out of the car, or do they need to remove the engine first? Could you give me an idea of what amount I'll probably have to pay for a re-built transmission?

polar: I have no idea what kind of transmission is in the car, but I know it is stock. What is a "GM" tranny?

Again, thank you all very much for your help. Have a safe and happy New Year!

=Mike

By GM he means general motors. Someone correct me if I'm wrong - but the E36 had a ZF automatic, and the M3's had a ZF manual while the 318 and 325 manuals were built by getrag (no clue why the M3 didn't have a getrag). ZF is now owned by GM, so people think it's a GM tranny in the E36 but it isn't a GM designed transmission. The E46 automatic is a GM designed transmission.

It's a relatively easy job for anyone. If all they have to do is remove the torque converter and put it onto the new transmission, then its absolutely no different than any other car. E36's are much easier to do tranny work to than E30's, and I removed my transmission myself 2 months ago. Wasn't too bad, and I didn't have a lift OR experience.