BMW Gearbox Leeds/Bradford

[therealpigdog]

The snotter has died (again).

New ebay gearbox went in yesterday. New ebay gearbox then disintegrated today.

Any suggestions as to a reliable place relatively local to get a gearbox for an E36 323? I'm can't afford to keep paying to have it replaced, so would prefer something with a bit of a guarantee rather than take another scrapper's word for it that it is a good 'un.

[benjj]

I sed to have my BMWs looked at by Michael Miller ([e-mail] or [phone]), in fact that is where I met Burriana for the first time as he had his TR there.

Michael is a top bloke and should be able to help. He's based not far from Howarth.

[k15tox]

therealpigdog said:

The snotter has died (again).

New ebay gearbox went in yesterday. New ebay gearbox then disintegrated today.

Any suggestions as to a reliable place relatively local to get a gearbox for an E36 323? I'm can't afford to keep paying to have it replaced, so would prefer something with a bit of a guarantee rather than take another scrapper's word for it that it is a good 'un.

There maybe something underlying that is chewing your gearbox, what are your symptoms?

If not it could just have been a st gearbox as you said, these guys are local to me but cant vouch for their work.

http://www.cleckheaton-gearbox-centre.co.uk/

[RicksAlfas]

My Dad had his 330i gearbox repaired by these guys:
http://www.yell.com/b/R.C.S+Services-Garage+Servic...

Top of Queensbury if that's any help (the snow has just about gone)

[therealpigdog]

k15tox said:

There maybe something underlying that is chewing your gearbox, what are your symptoms?

If not it could just have been a st gearbox as you said, these guys are local to me but cant vouch for their work.

http://www.cleckheaton-gearbox-centre.co.uk/

First box didn't like to engage third or fourth. Was the original box so covered 108k miles (on the clock, so in real life 216k probably). Probably synchrohub, but also the occassional whine in first.

Second box was bought from a scrapper on ebay for 99p so was a bit of a punt. Went OK for about 2 miles before horrendous whining and 1st and 2nd locked - my mechanic limped it back to his workshop and is taking it out to have a quick look. He suspects I was sold a duff box - wouldn't surprise me as I had my doubts when I went to pick it up.

I've spoken to Cleckheaton and they are delivering a recon gearbox to my mechanic for £380 - with a two year warranty. My gamble didn't pay off, so the warranty is worth paying for for peace of mind. My mechanic has used them before and said good things, so I'll let you know.


On the plus side, my mechanic was actually pretty impressed with the snotter and thinks it will make a great track car - given that he races himself I take that as a positive, especially as he's offered to teach me how to drive 'properly'.

[k15tox]

therealpigdog said:

First box didn't like to engage third or fourth. Was the original box so covered 108k miles (on the clock, so in real life 216k probably). Probably synchrohub, but also the occassional whine in first.

Second box was bought from a scrapper on ebay for 99p so was a bit of a punt. Went OK for about 2 miles before horrendous whining and 1st and 2nd locked - my mechanic limped it back to his workshop and is taking it out to have a quick look. He suspects I was sold a duff box - wouldn't surprise me as I had my doubts when I went to pick it up.

I've spoken to Cleckheaton and they are delivering a recon gearbox to my mechanic for £380 - with a two year warranty. My gamble didn't pay off, so the warranty is worth paying for for peace of mind. My mechanic has used them before and said good things, so I'll let you know.


On the plus side, my mechanic was actually pretty impressed with the snotter and thinks it will make a great track car - given that he races himself I take that as a positive, especially as he's offered to teach me how to drive 'properly'.

Ahh i see.

That seems ok, esp if you have a 2 year warranty with it.

If its all properly rebuilt it should easily last the life of the car with a oil change.

[All that jazz]

The only place you want for gearboxes/repairs in W Yorks is Stephen Brear behind Chippendale Plant on Leeds Outer Ring at Lower Wortley. 2632073.

That Cleckheaton gearbox place someone posted above has got some really bad rep if you do some googling. No personal experience however.

[16v stretch]

I can vouch for Stephen Brear, had my box rebuilt there after the syncro died and the selector fork decided to destroy the gears.

Been absolutely perfect, better than new. Shame about the rest of the car...

[Ranger 6]

Wow, that's a name from the past - another vote for Mr Brear. I last used him in 1993 though

I'd say if he's still going and still has a good reputation that's good enough!!

[falkster]

I wouldn't go anywhere other than Stephen Brears!! It's awesome watching them diagnosing an issues by feel!!

[Sump]

Any decent transmission specialist will diagnose by ALL 3 things.

1. Feel
2. Fault codes
3. Live data

Doing it just by feel is pretty stupid.

[falkster]

Sump said:

Any decent transmission specialist will diagnose by ALL 3 things.

1. Feel
2. Fault codes
3. Live data

Doing it just by feel is pretty stupid.

I think you're just making a stupid, pathetic, remark. Clearly his business isn't run on feel but he has diagnosed problems by feel and when the gearbox was picked up it was correct.
How would you know anyway, never speaking to blue collared workers.

Edited by falkster on Wednesday 23 May 22:54

[Sump]

I agree, probably does do all three things and just makes it look like he's going off just pure feel to look cool and take you for a ride

[Ranger 6]

No, he started before fault codes and live data were invented so I'd say My Brear goes purely from experience - earned the hard way.....

[k15tox]

My mechanic's better than your mechanic......

[Sump]

Ranger 6 said:

No, he started before fault codes and live data were invented so I'd say My Brear goes purely from experience - earned the hard way.....

I'm betting all the work he does involves dropping the box and opening it!