Transmission is shot

[Aiden]

Was not sure where would be best to post this so here it goes:


So I took a left turn Sunday night and as the car shifted (tried to at least) back to 3rd gear it revved up to 6000 RPM before locking into 3rd. I promptly took it to my mechanic that night. I just found out from him today that the tranny is shot. He said that he filled it with some sort of gel to swell up the seals and said that may fix the problem temporarily. However, that means that anytime it could go again and I end up with a transmission on the highway. My car is a 328i 1996, 118,000 miles on it. It is in great condition paint wise and under the hood. Interior is immaculate except for one 1/4 inch tear on the leather in one place. I just put brand new Enkei rims and Cooper tires on it. What do you all recommend I do, should I go for the short term fix and sell it ( I might be able to get 10,000 for it ) or repair/replace the trans? Anyone know what that runs approximately to replace the trans?

Man this sucks...is it common to have trans problems at this mileage?

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[selavia]

I've heard that it is not a rare thing for the auto trannys to go around that mileage. Personally, I love having a manual, never have to worry about that.


I've heard people say that going to the dealer will be a couple of 1000s; I'd assume anywhere from 1.5k-4k. There's a BMW repair place where I live that replaces trannys for around 800.

As far as keeping vs. selling; IMO, if there is nothing else wrong with it, go ahead and keep it. Tis a fun car to drive. If want a new car or are having doubts about this one, I'd say sell it, but it all depends on how you feel about your car.

Good luck man.
Sean

 

[chief]

R&R a 32i trans for $800 ???? Please post where that is. I cracked my torque converter and blew out my first gear and the dealership quoted $3800 to R&R the trans. Got it rebuilt for $1889.90 at a local speed shop. They even beefed it up for me. But then i run a 328i with a SuperCharger plus a 75 hp NOS shot.
Had to send the DME back to RMS for reprogramming as they screwed it up the first time. Too much fuel being injected.

 

[vato32]

hey man i just lost reverse out of the blue and i have an 01 330i with only 60k on it ,the dealer just quoted me 45k for a new one and labor so who ever said tranny's for 800 bucks hook me up with the number so i can call them ,shoot ill replace it sooner than i thought

 

[Aiden]

so

So I heard back from the dealership. The torque converter is slipping and there are all kinds of internal transmission shifting errors. Dealer wants to charge me $3,240.00 to replace it with a factory rebuilt transmission and a 2 year parts and labor, unlimited mileage warranty. I called the only other local shop I would consider and they offer a 2 year OR 30,000 miles warranty on all their trans work. They quoted me 686.00 for labor and are going to get back to me tomorrow regarding the cost of the trans they can get. Now excuse my ignorance, but the torque converter issues I am having will be repaired by replacing the transmission as the torque converter is PART of the trans correct? Or is that a seperate part? I am starting to think that BMW stands for "BREAK MY WALLET" for only 118,000 miles I have put way to much money (going on 5gs) into it this year!

 

[Kirby]

The torque converter is part of the transmission, whenever you rebuild a transmission you should check/rebuild the converter. FWIW I paid $2200 to have my Volvo's auto trans. rebuilt a few years ago - it was a ZF transmission, similar to what is used by BMW. They rebuilt the transmission at the shop, but they sent to T.C. out to a specialty shop.

 

[selavia]

I didn't say that right (regarding the $800). It's $800 for the tranny for most 5speeds. THe shops name is Norris Transmission he's in Cockeysville Maryland. I'll get a number. Sean

 

[selavia]

Labor is extra.

 

[chief]

Following my rebuild of my 328i auto trans: final cost $1889.00. My problems continued with the 28lb'ers (fuel injectors) on the dyno. Put in the 24 lb'ers and it ran great. But e-mailed RMS and asked if their warranty covered their screw up of the programming. They replied their warrantee did cover the screw up and they will recieve the DME on Monday (tomorrow). Will post the results once i get the reprogrammed DME. By the By, the speed shop that rebuilt my trans specifically elimininated my warranty for the trans if i admit that i break the trans racing. [Duh?]

 

[chief]

Received and installed the reprogramed DME from RMS. While better, i must return it to RMS for additional tweaking. Fuel Trim errors are continuing to show.

 

[chief]

Sent Dyno run stats as attachments to RMS to quantify my concerns. Had an e-mail from RMS stating the DME/EU would be returned in 48 hours. Sad to say 8 days and no DME/EU. Sent another e-mail with Dyno run sheets, specifically requesting fuel/air adjustment to the DME/EU tonight.
So far, my 328i has been down longer than running the streets since installing and dealing with RMS in Van Nuys, CA.
I donot recommend their services. I cannot as phone calls and e-mails are of no avail.

 

[bmwfreak]

I lost my auto tranny at 50.5 K mileage on a 2000 323i.
The dealer is replacing it and BMW is covering the cost, but the part and labor together could be around $5000 !!!


Good luck..

 

[manuel]

chief wanna trade cars?

 

[Average Jae]

geesh, that sucks. i had a tranny blow out on me on the highway.. a few years back. was not fun trying to walk everywhere just to find a gas station in the middle of nowhere.. think i walked 2+ miles and no gas station, finally started knocking on people's houses to use a phone.. (pre-cell days

it was a buick w/ 100k+ miles.. i forgot to change the trans fluid, and wonder if that did it in, didn't even know i had to until it died.. we ended up fixing the tranny for lil shy of 2 grand, and sold the car eventually.

since yer chaning trannies, can you drop in a manual? i heard from someone that they were doing that, but i really don't know how feasible that is.. anyone care to enlighten me?

 

[chief]

Will be putting it on sale once i get all the ah-sh-ts straightened out. Finally spoke with Osh Wednesday. Today is Saturday. On Wednesday he complained he would have another 1-1/2 hrs of reprogramming. The week before he told me he would do the reprogramming on the 14th and get it back to me within the next 48 hrs.
I am strongly thinking about an M5 and a SC from AA in Florida. Couldn't be any worse than RMS.

 

[poboyis]

So I heard back from the dealership. The torque converter is slipping and there are all kinds of internal transmission shifting errors. Dealer wants to charge me $3,240.00 to replace it with a factory rebuilt transmission and a 2 year parts and labor, unlimited mileage warranty. I called the only other local shop I would consider and they offer a 2 year OR 30,000 miles warranty on all their trans work. They quoted me 686.00 for labor and are going to get back to me tomorrow regarding the cost of the trans they can get. Now excuse my ignorance, but the torque converter issues I am having will be repaired by replacing the transmission as the torque converter is PART of the trans correct? Or is that a seperate part? I am starting to think that BMW stands for "BREAK MY WALLET" for only 118,000 miles I have put way to much money (going on 5gs) into it this year!

The torqe conveter is separate from the tranny, and is part of the trany at the same time. often times the torque converter will go to crap and if it is replaced soon enough the tranny can be savaged, if not, all the clutch material in the converter will spread to the rest of the tranny and take it out as well