BMW auto 'box reliability

[Ozone]

I'm toying with the idea of buying a 10 year old 540i or similar for commuting after looking at the smoker barge thread. Having not had any dealings with cars with auto gearboxes, how do they stand up to high mileage. If i get one with 100 - 150k on them can i expect big bills through normal servicing or failure? Are they prone to problems at high miles?

TIA

[BlueProp]

I've had a couple of BMWs with autos. Both were absolutely no problem.

It all depends how they were driven, and how lucky you are. I changed the ATF fluid in my 2003 325i after 70k as a precaution, but the independant who carried out the work said it was unnecessary as he'd never seen one go. My 1989 325i changed perfectly.

Although you do hear of them going on different forums, you hardly ever hear of the 'boxes that are no problem at 200k+.

[Ozone]

Thanks for that.

Better start having a serious look at them now.

[Remagel2507]

Ive had two gearboxs go, both 330ds with under 90k and the torque converters went however my 96 740i has 153k on it and the gearbox seems fine

[Ozone]

Cheers - i'd better have a careful, serious look now.

[declasm]

I have a '95 E34 540i now with 158K on it. The autobox is still super-smooth, kicks-down perfectly.

I've had it up for sale for a while but my wife and I just keep driving it as it's so easy to drive - very fast and very comfortable...

...http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2027657.htm

[Ozone]

Bloodyhell that is perfect - execpt i want a saloon. I just don't need all that space. I'm not in a hurry to get one but you've got me thinking - that'll torment me now. I'm not going to waste your time with more questions at the moment Declan, i'll run it past the OH. Don't hold your breath

[fluffnik]

I've had three 100k+ BMW V8 autos with no gearbox issues.

[declasm]

Ozone said:

Bloodyhell that is perfect - execpt i want a saloon. I just don't need all that space. I'm not in a hurry to get one but you've got me thinking - that'll torment me now. I'm not going to waste your time with more questions at the moment Declan, i'll run it past the OH. Don't hold your breath

Well it's not perfect but it is great I never intended to get the touring but it's just been ridiculously useful.
My OH is dead against me selling it - she really dislikes the E36 I bought to replace it. We've actually not stopped using it as our weekend car - it's just effortless for longer journeys. I'm probably going to put a fresh MOT on it in the next couple of weeks as I think it's been putting people off so far but the car is solid and mechanically sound with a lot of character.

[paprika]

It's people remapping with more torque than the box can handle that increases the speed of the TC fking up !

[E31Shrew]

I have an 840 Sport with auto and its perfect. 105k miles now. Have bought some fluid as was contemplating getting it changed.

[declasm]

E31Shrew said:

I have an 840 Sport with auto and its perfect. 105k miles now. Have bought some fluid as was contemplating getting it changed.

I have read in a couple of places that sometimes preventative maintainance on these boxes can do more harm than good, changing the fluid can cause the happily settled metal particles around the box to move to places where they can do more harm and this may be the reason for the 'sealed for life' claim.

Happy to be proven wrong on this though as it is internet heresay.

[B'stard Child]

declasm said:

E31Shrew said:

I have an 840 Sport with auto and its perfect. 105k miles now. Have bought some fluid as was contemplating getting it changed.

I have read in a couple of places that sometimes preventative maintainance on these boxes can do more harm than good, changing the fluid can cause the happily settled metal particles around the box to move to places where they can do more harm and this may be the reason for the 'sealed for life' claim.

Happy to be proven wrong on this though as it is internet heresay.

I'm in the ^ that is internet heresay (with the caveat that if you introduce a load of dirt to the internals or use the incorrect oil then I can see how that could quickly be blamed on the change process)

Anyway - in order to help I found the last post I did when this suject came up

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

HTH

[B'stard Child]

paprika said:

It's people remapping with more torque than the box can handle that increases the speed of the TC fking up !

Not sure that's relevant - 286 bhp and even remapped you are only looking at 310bhp and the torque doesn't change much - it's a N/A 4.4 V8 Petrol engine not a turbochanged chip fat burner - I do understand your point.

[E31Shrew]

B'stard Child said:

declasm said:

E31Shrew said:

I have an 840 Sport with auto and its perfect. 105k miles now. Have bought some fluid as was contemplating getting it changed.

I have read in a couple of places that sometimes preventative maintainance on these boxes can do more harm than good, changing the fluid can cause the happily settled metal particles around the box to move to places where they can do more harm and this may be the reason for the 'sealed for life' claim.

Happy to be proven wrong on this though as it is internet heresay.

I'm in the ^ that is internet heresay (with the caveat that if you introduce a load of dirt to the internals or use the incorrect oil then I can see how that could quickly be blamed on the change process)

Anyway - in order to help I found the last post I did when this suject came up

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

HTH

Thanks guys. I better doa bit of research. Expensive oil also

[B'stard Child]

E31Shrew said:

B'stard Child said:

declasm said:

E31Shrew said:

I have an 840 Sport with auto and its perfect. 105k miles now. Have bought some fluid as was contemplating getting it changed.

I have read in a couple of places that sometimes preventative maintainance on these boxes can do more harm than good, changing the fluid can cause the happily settled metal particles around the box to move to places where they can do more harm and this may be the reason for the 'sealed for life' claim.

Happy to be proven wrong on this though as it is internet heresay.

I'm in the ^ that is internet heresay (with the caveat that if you introduce a load of dirt to the internals or use the incorrect oil then I can see how that could quickly be blamed on the change process)

Anyway - in order to help I found the last post I did when this suject came up

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

HTH

Thanks guys. I better doa bit of research. Expensive oil also

It is from BMW - it's still not cheap from the manufacturer but there is a considerable saving to be made in doing as a friend and I did and splitting the cost of a larger container.

You need to make sure you have exactly the right spec for the box - should still be a readable sticker on the sump identifing the correct spec oil - deviate and I believe you are both wasting time and effort as well as potentially damaging the box

Trouble with these cars is they are now at bargain basement so maintenance tends to be "essential" rather than "regardless of cost"

[MarkwG]

B'stard Child said:

paprika said:

It's people remapping with more torque than the box can handle that increases the speed of the TC fking up !

Not sure that's relevant - 286 bhp and even remapped you are only looking at 310bhp and the torque doesn't change much - it's a N/A 4.4 V8 Petrol engine not a turbochanged chip fat burner - I do understand your point.

seconded - mine claims nearly 350bhp, & the only change is electronic, not mechanical: there are similar cars out there on 200k+.

[Matt UK]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This thread may be of use to you ^^

[juliann]

Matt UK said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This thread may be of use to you ^^

Just to add to Matt UK 's link. Mine is now 20k on from the Dortmund service and still as good as new

[stellacheersmate]

juliann said:

Matt UK said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This thread may be of use to you ^^

Just to add to Matt UK 's link. Mine is now 20k on from the Dortmund service and still as good as new

Julian - can you give a bit more detail on what you had done at ZF? Having read the thread on bimmerboard, I'm considering getting this done too on my E39 530...

What car?
How long did it take to drive there?
What did you have done?
How much?

Ta very muchly