Auto gearbox place near Aberdeen

[Speed addicted]

I'm thinking about getting the gearbox oil and filter changed in my 2001 90k mile BMW X5, it's auto and is beginning to hold onto gears occasionaly.

Is there anywhere near Aberdeen (or within a couple of hunderd miles) that can do this for a reasonable amount? I think it needs a special pump to get all of the oil out of the torque converter so a specalist is probably the best bet.

I called JD motors in Insch but they seemed to be pretty unsure about what's required.

[The Loon]

Maybe try AW Autotech at Pittodrie, they are BMW specialists so might be able to help, if not they might know somebody who could.

[Marto]

Sounds like symptoms that brought to an end my love affair with my 540i. Orgininally thought is was the box of electronic tricks. However turned out to be more terminal. Speak to Kev Arthur at AW Autotech. The boxes are sealed units and the lubricant 'goes off' and the protection reduces to the point that the box, in some cases fall in on itself!

I was quoted £2500 for a rebuild on exchange, or you could take a gamble and get a scrappie special.

I traded in the 540i for the M5.... and never looked back :O).

See what Kev says tho, and good luck.

Marto.....

[Lefty Two Drams]

Seems difficult to find a transmission specialist up here. Aberdeen Auto Transmissions aren't taking in much work these days, there's a fella in Dundee I think, will try to find the details.

[Speed addicted]

Cheers folks, I stopped using AW autotech when Kev went there and the prices suddenly went up (and for the 1st time I had problems with the work done) hence using JD now.

[Neepdocker]

Try Charles Butler Forfar 01307 465898.He specialises in autobox repairs.

Good service at a fair price.

[Speed addicted]

Cheers, I'll gve him a shout today.

I've just re-read what I said about AW autotech. What I meant to say was that I took my car to Kev for years before he moved there with no problems at all then when he did move I had problems with the work done.
Same end result though.

[Speed addicted]

SO I spoke to Charles Butler today, and I'm quite glad I did. In a way.

The 5 speed GM unit fitted to the early X5's tends to have a torque converter that disintegrates. As this happens it kills the gearbox due to the metal particles going around, this causes odd probelms like holding gears.
Total cost (from him) including fitting and VAT comes to £2500.


New car time I think.FK

[Marto]

Yup..... sounds the same..... Sorry to hear that mate. Buy a shed and wait for the release of the X5M.... 500+ BMW stallions in a X5...... Entertainment ahoy! :O)

[Speed addicted]

My house goes on the market on monday so it'll be something for up to three grand more than I get for the X5 trade in, due to the cash carnage involved in buying property. Otherwise I'd just get a facelift one now.

Currently trying to find a decent 530D or 530, probably an estate as I'm used to having the X5 van to drag stuff about in.

[The Loon]

Sorry to hear about that....

I have heard of a few of the first generation (2001-2004) X5's eating automatic gearboxs, they either hold on to gears like you said about yours or you get the dreaded "transmission failure" on the dash and then it goes onto limp home mode.

I thnk BMW dealers are about £4.5k for a new gearbox

Edited by The Loon on Friday 20th November 17:18