Transmission Hell
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Thanks in advance - I'm at a bit of a lost end here with my BMW!
It's a 320d 2008 M Sport auto. Lovely drive, and only 55,000 miles on the clock. Have enjoyed my first 6 months with her.
In Jan I was climbing a hill late at night, in Drive, and suddenly the throttle just revved. No connection to the gears and couldn't accelerate. I turned the engine off and back on - It was fine. Thought it was just a blip.
Happened again in March (4,000 miles later!) and I decided to get a diagnosis on it. The garage said it was slipping occasionally due to a valve getting stuck / blocked from a build up over time. Quick £570 gearbox oil change later (ouch!!!) and the new oil will break down the stuff that's built up on the value, as they told me. Had the problem twice on the day I picked it up after this work was done! They said to keep driving as the new oil just takes time to break down the build up on the valve.
A week went by with no issues, so I thought we're all good. On the motorway one evening a week after collecting it and the same issue, nearly causing a fairly serious accident, as it happened on a motorway with no hard shoulder. I managed to stop on the side of the road for 2 minutes and it was suddenly fine again.
I called them and they're offering to re-build the gearbox for £2,500 which feels horrible to consider when the car only has 55,000 miles.
My next move is to call BMW and moan fairly heavily as I do consider this a rather serious design fault, so early in its life.
What does everyone think?
Thanks in advance - I'm at a bit of a lost end here with my BMW!
It's a 320d 2008 M Sport auto. Lovely drive, and only 55,000 miles on the clock. Have enjoyed my first 6 months with her.
In Jan I was climbing a hill late at night, in Drive, and suddenly the throttle just revved. No connection to the gears and couldn't accelerate. I turned the engine off and back on - It was fine. Thought it was just a blip.
Happened again in March (4,000 miles later!) and I decided to get a diagnosis on it. The garage said it was slipping occasionally due to a valve getting stuck / blocked from a build up over time. Quick £570 gearbox oil change later (ouch!!!) and the new oil will break down the stuff that's built up on the value, as they told me. Had the problem twice on the day I picked it up after this work was done! They said to keep driving as the new oil just takes time to break down the build up on the valve.
A week went by with no issues, so I thought we're all good. On the motorway one evening a week after collecting it and the same issue, nearly causing a fairly serious accident, as it happened on a motorway with no hard shoulder. I managed to stop on the side of the road for 2 minutes and it was suddenly fine again.
I called them and they're offering to re-build the gearbox for £2,500 which feels horrible to consider when the car only has 55,000 miles.
My next move is to call BMW and moan fairly heavily as I do consider this a rather serious design fault, so early in its life.
What does everyone think?
trickywoo said:
When you say garage are they a do it all garage or an automatic gearbox specialist?
If you haven't yet been to a ZF specialist do that and see what they say.
My own mechanic recommended them as specialists and they're called 'Germany Motor Company' in Wandsworth. If you haven't yet been to a ZF specialist do that and see what they say.
I'm based in Epsom so it's a bit of a drive, let alone Dartford.
I had a chat with hardy engineering in Leatherhead and they've suggested that it's the solenoids. Any ideas guys?
OK another option... I bought the car in August 2016 with 40,000 miles on the clock and citizens advice say you're rights stand for 6 years if you can prove you didn't cause the issues.
As the BMW gearbox shouldn't go wrong this early on, does anyone think it's worth contacting the garage regarding a repair / refund?
Thanks in advance!
As the BMW gearbox shouldn't go wrong this early on, does anyone think it's worth contacting the garage regarding a repair / refund?
Thanks in advance!
nicktrueman said:
OK another option... I bought the car in August 2016 with 40,000 miles on the clock and citizens advice say you're rights stand for 6 years if you can prove you didn't cause the issues.
Pretty sure the accepted convention with a used car is 6 months.Can't hurt to ask but I suspect you'll be told to jog on.
If it was me I'd google nearby automatic gearbox only specialists and see what they say. It may well be FUBAR but at least you'll know 100%.
trickywoo said:
nicktrueman said:
OK another option... I bought the car in August 2016 with 40,000 miles on the clock and citizens advice say you're rights stand for 6 years if you can prove you didn't cause the issues.
Pretty sure the accepted convention with a used car is 6 months.Can't hurt to ask but I suspect you'll be told to jog on.
If it was me I'd google nearby automatic gearbox only specialists and see what they say. It may well be FUBAR but at least you'll know 100%.
The 6 years refers to purchase from new, for used it's 6 months I'm afraid.
CRA 2015
nicktrueman said:
OK another option... I bought the car in August 2016 with 40,000 miles on the clock and citizens advice say you're rights stand for 6 years if you can prove you didn't cause the issues.
As the BMW gearbox shouldn't go wrong this early on, does anyone think it's worth contacting the garage regarding a repair / refund?
Thanks in advance!
You don't buy an 8 year old car and magically gain 6 years warranty!!!As the BMW gearbox shouldn't go wrong this early on, does anyone think it's worth contacting the garage regarding a repair / refund?
Thanks in advance!
Does it have full BMWSH? If so you might get some (minor) help from BMW but unlikely.
Mattt said:
You don't buy an 8 year old car and magically gain 6 years warranty!!!
Does it have full BMWSH? If so you might get some (minor) help from BMW but unlikely.
I don't even know what that is, so assuming no... haha Does it have full BMWSH? If so you might get some (minor) help from BMW but unlikely.
BMW have offered to look over the diagnosis report the last garage gave me (without charge) and recommend what they think is wrong.
After a bit of Googling, it looks like either the 1. Input Shaft or 2. Solenoids.
BMW did say they've never heard of solenoids going on a car under 150k miles though! I thought I was buying a reliable car on a low milage..
Would recommend these guys as well. http://www.automatic-gearbox.co.uk/bmw-gearboxes/
Never try a main dealer for auto box issues, all they generally do is say swap the box.
Never try a main dealer for auto box issues, all they generally do is say swap the box.
ladderino said:
I had a solenoid problem with mine, and I just lost power as the car automatically went into limp mode and engine revs were curtailed.
Based on what you're describing where you could still rev but not gain traction, and the experience I had, I'd suggest it's not the solenoids.
The guys on here match all the faults I have: https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/transm...Based on what you're describing where you could still rev but not gain traction, and the experience I had, I'd suggest it's not the solenoids.
Do you really think it wouldn't be?
nicktrueman said:
Hi Guys,
Thanks in advance - I'm at a bit of a lost end here with my BMW!
It's a 320d 2008 M Sport auto. Lovely drive, and only 55,000 miles on the clock. Have enjoyed my first 6 months with her.
In Jan I was climbing a hill late at night, in Drive, and suddenly the throttle just revved. No connection to the gears and couldn't accelerate. I turned the engine off and back on - It was fine. Thought it was just a blip.
Happened again in March (4,000 miles later!) and I decided to get a diagnosis on it. The garage said it was slipping occasionally due to a valve getting stuck / blocked from a build up over time. Quick £570 gearbox oil change later (ouch!!!) and the new oil will break down the stuff that's built up on the value, as they told me. Had the problem twice on the day I picked it up after this work was done! They said to keep driving as the new oil just takes time to break down the build up on the valve.
A week went by with no issues, so I thought we're all good. On the motorway one evening a week after collecting it and the same issue, nearly causing a fairly serious accident, as it happened on a motorway with no hard shoulder. I managed to stop on the side of the road for 2 minutes and it was suddenly fine again.
I called them and they're offering to re-build the gearbox for £2,500 which feels horrible to consider when the car only has 55,000 miles.
My next move is to call BMW and moan fairly heavily as I do consider this a rather serious design fault, so early in its life.
What does everyone think?
So your car is nearly a decade old now so issues are to be expected. Is this an AUC if so you should still have some warranty? If not, are you paying for the Mondial warranty at all? Could be a long shot but if not I'm afraid that you are really going to struggle getting any support. Your only hope is a full BMW service history and a good will gesture although at 9 years old this is a real long shot.Thanks in advance - I'm at a bit of a lost end here with my BMW!
It's a 320d 2008 M Sport auto. Lovely drive, and only 55,000 miles on the clock. Have enjoyed my first 6 months with her.
In Jan I was climbing a hill late at night, in Drive, and suddenly the throttle just revved. No connection to the gears and couldn't accelerate. I turned the engine off and back on - It was fine. Thought it was just a blip.
Happened again in March (4,000 miles later!) and I decided to get a diagnosis on it. The garage said it was slipping occasionally due to a valve getting stuck / blocked from a build up over time. Quick £570 gearbox oil change later (ouch!!!) and the new oil will break down the stuff that's built up on the value, as they told me. Had the problem twice on the day I picked it up after this work was done! They said to keep driving as the new oil just takes time to break down the build up on the valve.
A week went by with no issues, so I thought we're all good. On the motorway one evening a week after collecting it and the same issue, nearly causing a fairly serious accident, as it happened on a motorway with no hard shoulder. I managed to stop on the side of the road for 2 minutes and it was suddenly fine again.
I called them and they're offering to re-build the gearbox for £2,500 which feels horrible to consider when the car only has 55,000 miles.
My next move is to call BMW and moan fairly heavily as I do consider this a rather serious design fault, so early in its life.
What does everyone think?
Helicopter123 said:
So your car is nearly a decade old now so issues are to be expected. Is this an AUC if so you should still have some warranty? If not, are you paying for the Mondial warranty at all? Could be a long shot but if not I'm afraid that you are really going to struggle getting any support. Your only hope is a full BMW service history and a good will gesture although at 9 years old this is a real long shot.
That's true, I know it's not new anymore. The transmission is a fairly serious problem. I don't think I have any warranty as it's not an approved used, but the servicing is all BMW so I am going to ask today. nicktrueman said:
BMW have offered to look over the diagnosis report the last garage gave me (without charge) and recommend what they think is wrong.
That's unusual - remember you're not dealing with BMW, you're dealing with one of their franchises - and normally they won't look at a car unless you agree to pay the diagnostic fee.Even if the car was newer legal liability in cases like this rests with whoever you bought the car off, and you didn't even buy from a franchise dealer, so you're very disconnected from BMW themselves.
Hi Guys,
In conclusion, I had every garage offering something slightly different, from another oil change (yes, doing it again?!), brand new gearbox, reconditioned box, fault code diagnosis, new car, new solenoids, ABS system check...etc. It goes on!
A ZF specialist has highlighted that it's a mechanical fault and therefore needs a rebuild kit to put new pistons on it. I called three others and they all said the exact same. In the end, it was an internal clutch slipping that caused it to go into limp mode. Lesson learned - Find out the exact problem and find the specific specialist rather then a general one. My first step was to go to a local 'german gearbox company'. In reality, they didn't know what it was.
Now it's repaired, it's knocking around 70% off a 3 year lease of a brand new BMW / Mercedes with servicing. Can't go wrong if it's all under warranty or servicing!
Thanks for your help chaps.
In conclusion, I had every garage offering something slightly different, from another oil change (yes, doing it again?!), brand new gearbox, reconditioned box, fault code diagnosis, new car, new solenoids, ABS system check...etc. It goes on!
A ZF specialist has highlighted that it's a mechanical fault and therefore needs a rebuild kit to put new pistons on it. I called three others and they all said the exact same. In the end, it was an internal clutch slipping that caused it to go into limp mode. Lesson learned - Find out the exact problem and find the specific specialist rather then a general one. My first step was to go to a local 'german gearbox company'. In reality, they didn't know what it was.
Now it's repaired, it's knocking around 70% off a 3 year lease of a brand new BMW / Mercedes with servicing. Can't go wrong if it's all under warranty or servicing!
Thanks for your help chaps.
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