E36 M3 SMG box lost reverse. Help!
Discussion
Got in my 98 Evo coupe SMG the other morning & it wouldn't pick up reverse so I coudn't get off the drive. No prior warning or strange noises at all the last time I drove it.
The real sickener is in the nine years since a bought it new, all running costs have been covered by my company, so it's wanted for nothing, but I've just lost my job so I need all the help I can to keep the repair bill down to a minimum.
The gear cog icon is lit on the instrument panel so I'm hoping it is an electronic failure & not the gearbox! It still engages other gears, but when I engage reverse I get "R0" in the gear display instead of "RR" & the car revs freely without moving.
Has anyone experienced this or can anyone suggest a competent individual who doesn't charge Bluebell BMW prices to take a look. Every time I take it to my main dealer 
its always £500 minimum to repair anything & I'm worried this one could be a lot higher & because its unknown technology to me I daren't start pulling it to bits myself.
It has been suggested that due to the age of the car, the credit crunch & the price of fuel that if it needs a new box, it may not be worth repairing.
Absolutely unthinkable! I'd scour the scrapyards first, its not even done 50k yet!
Any advice on simple tests or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
The real sickener is in the nine years since a bought it new, all running costs have been covered by my company, so it's wanted for nothing, but I've just lost my job so I need all the help I can to keep the repair bill down to a minimum. The gear cog icon is lit on the instrument panel so I'm hoping it is an electronic failure & not the gearbox! It still engages other gears, but when I engage reverse I get "R0" in the gear display instead of "RR" & the car revs freely without moving. Has anyone experienced this or can anyone suggest a competent individual who doesn't charge Bluebell BMW prices to take a look. Every time I take it to my main dealer its always £500 minimum to repair anything & I'm worried this one could be a lot higher & because its unknown technology to me I daren't start pulling it to bits myself. It has been suggested that due to the age of the car, the credit crunch & the price of fuel that if it needs a new box, it may not be worth repairing.
Absolutely unthinkable! I'd scour the scrapyards first, its not even done 50k yet!Any advice on simple tests or pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Steve,
I have, over the last 4 years had various problems with my SMG on the M3. I hate to say this as if your anything like me you'll want to keep it origional BUT the best and most cost effictive option is to convert the car over to a `regular` manual.
When having `issues` with mine, what i found out was that the main stealers (main Dealers) didn't really know how to fault find and repair individual componants of the system. All they wanted to do to mine was replace whole componants which was beyond a joke. How does a gearbox sound to you at £7k ?!?!?!?!?!?
My car - which is quite well doccumented regarding SMG in these very pages somewhere, after a lot of issues, has been converted over and if i'm honest drives better now.
If you drop me a PM with your phone number i'd gladly give you a call and try to help you with this and may even be able to point you in the direction of someone that can help.
John.
I have, over the last 4 years had various problems with my SMG on the M3. I hate to say this as if your anything like me you'll want to keep it origional BUT the best and most cost effictive option is to convert the car over to a `regular` manual.
When having `issues` with mine, what i found out was that the main stealers (main Dealers) didn't really know how to fault find and repair individual componants of the system. All they wanted to do to mine was replace whole componants which was beyond a joke. How does a gearbox sound to you at £7k ?!?!?!?!?!?
My car - which is quite well doccumented regarding SMG in these very pages somewhere, after a lot of issues, has been converted over and if i'm honest drives better now.
If you drop me a PM with your phone number i'd gladly give you a call and try to help you with this and may even be able to point you in the direction of someone that can help.
John.
John, Thanks very much for your comments. I've taken your advice & looked up a local BM specialist that was recommended by a couple of main dealer mechanics. Rockvale in Adswood, Stockport. Let's hope they are interested in more than just profit! I think it's time to sell once it's repaired. It will be hard to part with her after 9 years, but I need something a bit bigger & slower after 4 kids & 2 speeding bans.
It will be hard to part with her after 9 years, but I need something a bit bigger & slower after 4 kids & 2 speeding bans.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff