Output shaft and selector shaft - Seals leaking

[sinizter]

The car is a 2005 Z4 2.2i.

When my car was serviced very recently, it was pointed out the output shaft and selector shaft seals were leaking. Was quoted £500-600 to fix. BMW dealership.

Having had the car looked at elsewhere, they confirmed that there was a slight misting of oil from the above. But this guy said that he has never had to change one of them yet and all the cars have a little bit of misting. He just recommended that I get it checked in about a year's time.

Is this something that needs to be fixed straightaway or just checked in a while ? What exactly are the output/selector seals - something to do with the gearbox ?

[roofer]

Output shaft seal is where the propshaft goes into the gearbox. The seal itself is about a tenner, and simple to do, not sure where they got their price from. Never heard of a selector seal going before, or if such a thing actually exists Put a bit of cardboard under the area where the gearstick is, and see what drips out overnight.

[sinizter]

Nothing drips out AFAIK. I park it on my drive, and the drive is still spotless. Still, I will try the cardboard thing.

BMW guy claimed that it would take most of the day as some bits would need to be taken apart - and that's why it would cost £500-600.

[Johnboy Mac]

By the sounds of it your BMW dealer is trying to make work at your expense! I woudln't be concerned about the oil mist at the selector shafts. But do get the output/pinion oil seal checked again at some stage. Otherwise drive on.

[roofer]

Number 13 is listed as repair kit, no selector seal, probably the vent misting a bit. Quite normal.

[TheInternet]

roofer said:

Number 13 is listed as repair kit, no selector seal, probably the vent misting a bit. Quite normal.

The selector shaft seal is number 14, and is what's making a total mess / rustproofing the underside of my car. It's not uncommon, and mine has been at it for years now. A little oil goes a long way in terms of looking bad but I really wouldn't worry about it, and I certainly wouldn't be relieved of £500+ to sort it out. It's worth doing if the clutch is being done or if it's leaking so much you do get drops where you park, but both those issues are most likely years away.