e46 auto gearbox with high mileage
Discussion
I'm currently keeping my eye out for a new shed. At this price there are a lot of autos and a lot of miles.
Looking at an e46 328i for example. 150k and apparently no evidence of a gearbox service. Would it be one to avoid or just take the risk for a £1500 bill (price based on a phone call to a local transmission specialist).
Every car will throw up a bill or two, however the gearbox is something I'd rather not have problems with.
What I'm really asking, I guess, is how likely is the box to fail on the above car? Inevitable, or who knows?
Looking at an e46 328i for example. 150k and apparently no evidence of a gearbox service. Would it be one to avoid or just take the risk for a £1500 bill (price based on a phone call to a local transmission specialist).
Every car will throw up a bill or two, however the gearbox is something I'd rather not have problems with.
What I'm really asking, I guess, is how likely is the box to fail on the above car? Inevitable, or who knows?
They are sealed for life which is complete b
ks.
You can service them how ever. I had one of these to pieces there’s nothing to them.
Buy the oil off West way oils on eBay, this will cost you 40 quid or so.
Don’t bother buying branded oil as it’s a specific recipe and an old one. So no extra additives.
Buy the filter and sump gasket off eBay, as long as you can jack it up front and rear it’s an easy job.
ks.You can service them how ever. I had one of these to pieces there’s nothing to them.
Buy the oil off West way oils on eBay, this will cost you 40 quid or so.
Don’t bother buying branded oil as it’s a specific recipe and an old one. So no extra additives.
Buy the filter and sump gasket off eBay, as long as you can jack it up front and rear it’s an easy job.
Thanks for the replies. Good to hear positive comments.
I've got a jug of Westway oil in my garage that was used on my jetski, it was well recommended for them too.
I read similar posts elsewhere about changing oil resulting in failures soon after.
Regardless, I was outbid at the last second on the car I wanted so the hunt continues...
I've got a jug of Westway oil in my garage that was used on my jetski, it was well recommended for them too.
I read similar posts elsewhere about changing oil resulting in failures soon after.
Regardless, I was outbid at the last second on the car I wanted so the hunt continues...
Changing the oil does not cause failure.
That’s utter piffle.
People wait til they have problems before they can be arsed, that’s why that crap is trotted out.
Another one is, it disturbs dirt in the box which then moves around, these boxes are immaculately clean on the inside, unless they are knackered.
I spoke to ZF themselves, they recommend change at 100k.
But, they can do tremendous miles on the original oil, see above post for example.
That’s utter piffle.
People wait til they have problems before they can be arsed, that’s why that crap is trotted out.
Another one is, it disturbs dirt in the box which then moves around, these boxes are immaculately clean on the inside, unless they are knackered.
I spoke to ZF themselves, they recommend change at 100k.
But, they can do tremendous miles on the original oil, see above post for example.
Changing the oil after a high mileage can make the box whine. You're replacing old oil that's black with sediment with thinner new stuff. An extra thou or three of clearance here and there. If won't suddenly st itself though.
I wouldn't bother with rebuilds either. £1500 versus £250 for a good used one, no brainer on an old E46 that's worth, well, £1500.
There are plenty of these with 200,000+ miles and original oil and still working. When they fail it's often due to a split clutch drum that all the oil changes in the world wouldn't have prevented. Gearbox oil doesn't get as hot as engine oil and it doesn't have combustion contaminates to deal with. Perhaps replace the filter, top up with new oil and leave it at that.
If it ain't broke......
t itself though. I wouldn't bother with rebuilds either. £1500 versus £250 for a good used one, no brainer on an old E46 that's worth, well, £1500.
There are plenty of these with 200,000+ miles and original oil and still working. When they fail it's often due to a split clutch drum that all the oil changes in the world wouldn't have prevented. Gearbox oil doesn't get as hot as engine oil and it doesn't have combustion contaminates to deal with. Perhaps replace the filter, top up with new oil and leave it at that.
If it ain't broke......
Some good points made.
Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to a nice 330i right now. I'm actually a bit annoyed with myself for not bidding enough on the 328i I wanted, but nevermind,
I had a 330ci auto years ago which felt far better than the 325i auto I've just sold. I think that was down to gearing though. These had 85k and 105k on the clocks so it would be my first time buying one with higher mileage.
Certainly makes me feel more comfortable reading about the petrols, though I can echo the comments about a diesel perhaps not holding up as well. A friends 330d had torque converter and pump issues shortly after him buying it.
Unfortunately my budget won't stretch to a nice 330i right now. I'm actually a bit annoyed with myself for not bidding enough on the 328i I wanted, but nevermind,
I had a 330ci auto years ago which felt far better than the 325i auto I've just sold. I think that was down to gearing though. These had 85k and 105k on the clocks so it would be my first time buying one with higher mileage.
Certainly makes me feel more comfortable reading about the petrols, though I can echo the comments about a diesel perhaps not holding up as well. A friends 330d had torque converter and pump issues shortly after him buying it.
Petrol sixes have the ZF 5HP box, diesels and 316i/318i's have a GM box. ZF's break clutch drums and thrust bearings, GM's can suffer failure of the torque converter lock up solenoid.The first you know of this is when the car feels like it's driving over a cattle grid - that's the converter lock up clutch banging in and out at high speed. That then sheds bits of it all through the box and destroys everything. It's not a massive job to drop the sump and replace the solenoid. It's not that common an issue tbh but they're really getting old now.
323i and 328i's were known for losing reverse gear due to the drum splitting open. But a good used box is buttons now.
323i and 328i's were known for losing reverse gear due to the drum splitting open. But a good used box is buttons now.
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