BMW M6 V10 transmission fault *picture*
Discussion
Have to say that I had a V10 M5 for 3 years and 50k miles, bought it with 2k miles and 3 months old. I then had an M6 for 2 years and 9k to 37k miles. Had to replace an oxygen sensor at 45k on the M5, warranty job and only took a couple of hours. Other than that, no problems at all. They were both fantastic cars and still miss them. (911 turbo S has helped ease the pain though...)
The amber cog is much less of a concern than a red.
The good thing about the SMG is the computer stores a code for anything which causes that error.
The most common error seen is 4FA0 (clutch position deviation), but that typically throws a red cog.
I would suspect either 4F40 or 4F43 which are related the hydraulic pump "on time" or a low SMG hydraulic pressure error.
Sometimes this is absurdly easy to fix and can be from low hydraulic fluid level or the SMG (salmon from E46 days) relay.
Both of those are really cheap fixes as the fluid only requires a liter of Pentosin and the realy is about $15US.
What is interesting is that over the years, the part number for the transmission itself has changed, but none of the part numbers for the components themselves has. BMW under warranty experienced so many claims for labor that rather than trying to teach the techs how to properly diagnose and repair a hydrualic system (not really a common system for an automobile), it was cheaper for them to swap the entire hydraulic block and refurb the old one. The most common piece which goes seems to be the clutch control valve as it's responsible for the greatest chunk of "smoothness" on the SMG.
Ask for the codes, curious what they tell you. It's frustrating, but I think of it like dating a German supermodel who doesn't speak English. Amazing ride, has some issues, and you can't understand her when she's pissed. I keep a laptop with ISTA handy...it's like having a translator/psychiatrist all in one.
The good thing about the SMG is the computer stores a code for anything which causes that error.
The most common error seen is 4FA0 (clutch position deviation), but that typically throws a red cog.
I would suspect either 4F40 or 4F43 which are related the hydraulic pump "on time" or a low SMG hydraulic pressure error.
Sometimes this is absurdly easy to fix and can be from low hydraulic fluid level or the SMG (salmon from E46 days) relay.
Both of those are really cheap fixes as the fluid only requires a liter of Pentosin and the realy is about $15US.
What is interesting is that over the years, the part number for the transmission itself has changed, but none of the part numbers for the components themselves has. BMW under warranty experienced so many claims for labor that rather than trying to teach the techs how to properly diagnose and repair a hydrualic system (not really a common system for an automobile), it was cheaper for them to swap the entire hydraulic block and refurb the old one. The most common piece which goes seems to be the clutch control valve as it's responsible for the greatest chunk of "smoothness" on the SMG.
Ask for the codes, curious what they tell you. It's frustrating, but I think of it like dating a German supermodel who doesn't speak English. Amazing ride, has some issues, and you can't understand her when she's pissed. I keep a laptop with ISTA handy...it's like having a translator/psychiatrist all in one.
jcolley said:
The amber cog is much less of a concern than a red.
The good thing about the SMG is the computer stores a code for anything which causes that error.
The most common error seen is 4FA0 (clutch position deviation), but that typically throws a red cog.
I would suspect either 4F40 or 4F43 which are related the hydraulic pump "on time" or a low SMG hydraulic pressure error.
Sometimes this is absurdly easy to fix and can be from low hydraulic fluid level or the SMG (salmon from E46 days) relay.
Both of those are really cheap fixes as the fluid only requires a liter of Pentosin and the realy is about $15US.
What is interesting is that over the years, the part number for the transmission itself has changed, but none of the part numbers for the components themselves has. BMW under warranty experienced so many claims for labor that rather than trying to teach the techs how to properly diagnose and repair a hydrualic system (not really a common system for an automobile), it was cheaper for them to swap the entire hydraulic block and refurb the old one. The most common piece which goes seems to be the clutch control valve as it's responsible for the greatest chunk of "smoothness" on the SMG.
Ask for the codes, curious what they tell you. It's frustrating, but I think of it like dating a German supermodel who doesn't speak English. Amazing ride, has some issues, and you can't understand her when she's pissed. I keep a laptop with ISTA handy...it's like having a translator/psychiatrist all in one.
Sounds like you could be on to something.The good thing about the SMG is the computer stores a code for anything which causes that error.
The most common error seen is 4FA0 (clutch position deviation), but that typically throws a red cog.
I would suspect either 4F40 or 4F43 which are related the hydraulic pump "on time" or a low SMG hydraulic pressure error.
Sometimes this is absurdly easy to fix and can be from low hydraulic fluid level or the SMG (salmon from E46 days) relay.
Both of those are really cheap fixes as the fluid only requires a liter of Pentosin and the realy is about $15US.
What is interesting is that over the years, the part number for the transmission itself has changed, but none of the part numbers for the components themselves has. BMW under warranty experienced so many claims for labor that rather than trying to teach the techs how to properly diagnose and repair a hydrualic system (not really a common system for an automobile), it was cheaper for them to swap the entire hydraulic block and refurb the old one. The most common piece which goes seems to be the clutch control valve as it's responsible for the greatest chunk of "smoothness" on the SMG.
Ask for the codes, curious what they tell you. It's frustrating, but I think of it like dating a German supermodel who doesn't speak English. Amazing ride, has some issues, and you can't understand her when she's pissed. I keep a laptop with ISTA handy...it's like having a translator/psychiatrist all in one.
I had the car returned to me and they told me they cleared some fault codes. I drove it and it seems to be fine but just 2 days ago, same scenario, the warning came back on again.
Since the car drives fine, I'll wait till the Easter holidays are over to take her back in. It is a pain in the backside having to go back in and out of the dealership but that God I have the full 24 month AUC warranty. I suspect BMW labour rates are not cheap!
sjb1 said:
Schermerhorn, how are getting on with the car now? Are the problems resolved? I am following your posts as I am looking for one. Appreciate the warranty is a necessity...any other tips in your brief ownership?
Thanks Sam
Hi SamThanks Sam
I took it to the dealership, they cleared the fault codes and it seemed to run fine for 60 miles or so. But then I wanted to see if it was truly cleared and it wasn't. It also was not as persistent as it was before and has only come on once since then. When I have more free time I'll take it down to the dealership and let them fix it properly. I am guessing it is a clutch position sensor from the reading I have done.
Do not buy one without a warranty.
Get the 2 years extended warranty thrown in from an AUC dealer. They usually do it for free if you push hard enough.
Faults so far on mine
oil leak
VANOS re-pressuring
VANOS pipe and valve replaced
The transmission 'fault' issue
overly sensitive tyre pressure monitor
- I figure I have saved over £1000 on garage fees alone. The Vanos issue apparantly needed the front end stripping down and rebuilding. At BMW prices, I am estimating £1000 or near as damn it.
Aside from that - the car pulls like a train. Wife, daughter and rest of the family love it. It eat fuel but it is my weekend car so I am not too bothered.
Another thing I have noticed....do not let these cars sit around for too long, they tend to be abit problematic and need driving at least every 2-3 days to keep the systems calibrated.
I had an M6 for six years from new. The dealer told me I was not driving it enough and hence the various messages that would pop up. I was impressed by how many and how varied the messages were. After about three and half years the whole ECU packed it in. This turned out be nightmarish to fix and took about ten days of (warrantied) work to get it right. Overall, I did only about 17,000 miles on it, but as it got older I became concerned by the sheer complexity of the car, and as I had other transport I decided to sell it in 2012. New owner has had no problems, luckily.
Stu R said:
Must say it's disappointing to read your experiences. Are you still considering an attempt at rejecting it?
I really, really fancy a V10 while there's still a few in AUC and was already apprehensive about the 'box, now I'm plain terrified of it. About those V8 M3's
I am 50:50 on the rejecting bit. When it is sorted it seems to be the most ballistic thing ever. When it isnt I ca not even stomach looking at it. I really, really fancy a V10 while there's still a few in AUC and was already apprehensive about the 'box, now I'm plain terrified of it. About those V8 M3's
If only they made these with a manual gearbox....I reckon half of the problems are transmission related. Luckily I have a an AUC warranty and my problems are well documented with the dealership so they dont really have a cop out as far as I am concerned.
Next to the newer stuft it feels a little dim witted at first but then properly takes off like nothing. I have smoked v8 M3s to the point I have scared myself just how fast it is.
I would love an M3 DCT next. The limited edition models with the black CSL style wheels and DCT boxes look utterly gorgeous in red. Gotta admit though, next to the M6 even the newer stuff looks abit naff
Schermerhorn said:
If only they made these with a manual gearbox....I reckon half of the problems are transmission related. Luckily I have a an AUC warranty and my problems are well documented with the dealership so they dont really have a cop out as far as I am concerned.
I am not so sure.... I had a manual e60 M5 for 3 weeks when in the USA and it was a terrible gearbox. The SMG really suited the 2 M5s I owned over 60k miles and I never had a single transmission fault with either.S
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