Auto gearbox worries
Discussion
Hi all,
I’ve fairly recently purchased an e92 BMW 330D with the N57 (245bhp) lump.
I have a concern as I notice especially when changing into 4th gear at around 30mph, it seems to ‘lump’ into the gear which doesn’t feel right. It’s hard to explain, most of the other times, you can barely notice the gear changes so this concerns me.
It does seem to get better one warmed up but is still there sometimes. I’ve recently had the gearbox services at the local specialist (£370) and reset the adaptations, which did make a bit of an improvement, but not sure if I’m worrying too much?
When accelerating briskly it isn’t as noticeable, it seems to be more when I’m gradually lifting off the accelerator to remain at 30 and it lumps into 4th gear which you can really feel.
Am I being too worried?
How much is it to repair an auto box? Or is used box the best option worst case scenario?
Thanks for any help.
I’ve fairly recently purchased an e92 BMW 330D with the N57 (245bhp) lump.
I have a concern as I notice especially when changing into 4th gear at around 30mph, it seems to ‘lump’ into the gear which doesn’t feel right. It’s hard to explain, most of the other times, you can barely notice the gear changes so this concerns me.
It does seem to get better one warmed up but is still there sometimes. I’ve recently had the gearbox services at the local specialist (£370) and reset the adaptations, which did make a bit of an improvement, but not sure if I’m worrying too much?
When accelerating briskly it isn’t as noticeable, it seems to be more when I’m gradually lifting off the accelerator to remain at 30 and it lumps into 4th gear which you can really feel.
Am I being too worried?
How much is it to repair an auto box? Or is used box the best option worst case scenario?
Thanks for any help.
If its done 91k it will be needing the transmission fluid changed which I'm assuming was done as part of the £370 service. However it took a couple of flushes to get my 730d changing smoothly a few years ago. Can make a hell of a difference.
Edited by monzaxjr on Friday 19th April 22:12
monzaxjr said:
If its done 91k it will be needing the transmission fluid changed which I'm assuming was done as part of the £370 service. However it took a couple of flushes to get my 730d changing smoothly a few years ago. Can make a hell of a difference.
Yeah it had everything done, mechartronic, oil, filters eTc. Maybe I should try just changing the oil again to flush it out?Edited by monzaxjr on Friday 19th April 22:12
These guys have a machine which can do a full flush in one go.
https://www.dartfordtransmissions.co.uk
https://www.dartfordtransmissions.co.uk
geg1992 said:
Yeah it had everything done, mechartronic, oil, filters eTc. Maybe I should try just changing the oil again to flush it out?
Definitely worth a go. Start with the cheapest thing first. If the car is generally driving ok and there is no whining or other noises I wouldn't be too concerned. My M135 box gave good few thumps now and again going into 2nd and 3rd and that was brand new at the time. Had it back to the dealers for software updates etc. which helped but didn't eliminate it totally. geg1992 said:
CubanPete said:
I think it is just part of the change pattern.
You’d think they’d make it smooth!I’ve had this on previous 5/7 series. The 535d tow car does this, the 8 speed cars in the household don’t.
It will be fine, additional oil changes won’t solve it.
bigdom said:
True, but they didn’t. It’s just a characteristic of the 6 speed box. It just gets a bit confused sometimes in the 30/40 range, normally on part throttle going up and coming off an incline.
I’ve had this on previous 5/7 series. The 535d tow car does this, the 8 speed cars in the household don’t.
It will be fine, additional oil changes won’t solve it.
Exactly - save your money. I have a 6 speed in a 525d and it's a clunky old thing compared to the 8 speed - that's had the oil, sump and all mechatronics seals replaced.I’ve had this on previous 5/7 series. The 535d tow car does this, the 8 speed cars in the household don’t.
It will be fine, additional oil changes won’t solve it.
The ZF6HP is very smooth through the gears but only if you understand it properly. As most people drive it as they wish, it can get 'confused', as you aren't driving as how it intends to drive (as defined by the TCM). It is an older unit, it started to appear around 2002-2004, for BMW at least, I think they used these in the E65 7 series when it came out, and I believe that was the first ever application of the ZF6HP. In our X5, it sometimes changes down on inclines, and doesn't like to change up, so when pulling out onto the big hill for our main road, it likes to rev at 3000rpm when cold!
Does like to clunk when abruptly coming to a stop, it seems to do so when lifting off and braking immediately, the gearbox gets confused and disconnects the box abruptly, which is what you want when full anchors on, but you do feel it. If accelerating linearly by not lifting off until you get to speed, it will slice through the gears like butter, but if going up to 30mph and lifting off just before a gear change (e.g. when you see someone pull out onto the road and anticipating having to possibly slow down) and then getting back onto the accelerator, it will bump into gear sometimes, I guess xDrive aggravates this. I believe the ZF8HP is much more modern and smarter with this, with current offerings listening to the sat nav and anticipating a down change, which is very impressive. I think the older roots of this gearbox, despite the updated internals and many updates for all cars, does show. It does however do the trick, have experienced worse gearboxes and this can translate power very well and shift quickly when needed. In tiptronic mode in the A6, it even shifts down to first very well when coming to a stop, no jerkiness.
Does like to clunk when abruptly coming to a stop, it seems to do so when lifting off and braking immediately, the gearbox gets confused and disconnects the box abruptly, which is what you want when full anchors on, but you do feel it. If accelerating linearly by not lifting off until you get to speed, it will slice through the gears like butter, but if going up to 30mph and lifting off just before a gear change (e.g. when you see someone pull out onto the road and anticipating having to possibly slow down) and then getting back onto the accelerator, it will bump into gear sometimes, I guess xDrive aggravates this. I believe the ZF8HP is much more modern and smarter with this, with current offerings listening to the sat nav and anticipating a down change, which is very impressive. I think the older roots of this gearbox, despite the updated internals and many updates for all cars, does show. It does however do the trick, have experienced worse gearboxes and this can translate power very well and shift quickly when needed. In tiptronic mode in the A6, it even shifts down to first very well when coming to a stop, no jerkiness.
I had similar on a 550i with the same box, had full service etc which improved things, but still a lump.
I ended up having the gearbox solenoid adaptions reset, not this isn’t a silly thing can do with the accelerator pedal and ignition etc, you do it whilst plugged in and it resets the values the solenoids work to so they can relearn. Never had an issue again.
I ended up having the gearbox solenoid adaptions reset, not this isn’t a silly thing can do with the accelerator pedal and ignition etc, you do it whilst plugged in and it resets the values the solenoids work to so they can relearn. Never had an issue again.
Hi all,
Just an update,I've had it to a specialist and they think it's the valve body on the gearbox.
Does anyone know how quick these tend to go bad? Is it something I can just live with or do they go bad rapidly?
Also, anyone know a good place for used / replacement gearboxes? Or recondition with warranty?
Thanks for any help
Just an update,I've had it to a specialist and they think it's the valve body on the gearbox.
Does anyone know how quick these tend to go bad? Is it something I can just live with or do they go bad rapidly?
Also, anyone know a good place for used / replacement gearboxes? Or recondition with warranty?
Thanks for any help
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