2011 320d E90 Auto Box replacement

[alwynpv]

Hi guys

This question is mostly out of curiosity :

Bought the car in 2013, got the motor plan transferred to my name in the process.

Car went in for 85000km service. I mentioned that I sometimes feel a harsh changeover between 2nd and 3rd at low acceleration.

Got a phone call during lunchtime. They found a problem on the gearbox and have ordered a new one. Luckily I am still under motor plan!

Question is, have anybody else experienced something similar and had their whole gearbox replaced?

Should I be concerned?

And what are the costs involved for such a replacement if it had been out of motor plan?

 

[DieselFan]

Hi guys

This question is mostly out of curiosity :

Bought the car in 2013, got the motor plan transferred to my name in the process.

Car went in for 85000km service. I mentioned that I sometimes feel a harsh changeover between 2nd and 3rd at low acceleration.

Got a phone call during lunchtime. They found a problem on the gearbox and have ordered a new one. Luckily I am still under motor plan!

Question is, have anybody else experienced something similar and had their whole gearbox replaced?

Should I be concerned?

And what are the costs involved for such a replacement if it had been out of motor plan?

R18 000 for a rebuild. They will just purchase a rebuilt on from ZF.

You probably would have found the problem would have gone away with an oil change and resetting the adaptions. But who knows 85k kms is very low for a box to have problems. Unless its been abused.

 

[335i Lci]

Hi guys

This question is mostly out of curiosity :

Bought the car in 2013, got the motor plan transferred to my name in the process.

Car went in for 85000km service. I mentioned that I sometimes feel a harsh changeover between 2nd and 3rd at low acceleration.

Got a phone call during lunchtime. They found a problem on the gearbox and have ordered a new one. Luckily I am still under motor plan!

Question is, have anybody else experienced something similar and had their whole gearbox replaced?

Should I be concerned?

And what are the costs involved for such a replacement if it had been out of motor plan?

Bmw uses rebuilt parts under motorplan?

R18 000 for a rebuild. They will just purchase a rebuilt on from ZF.

You probably would have found the problem would have gone away with an oil change and resetting the adaptions. But who knows 85k kms is very low for a box to have problems. Unless its been abused.

 

[ChefDJ]

That really is low mileage for a gearbox to give problems :fencelook:

Glad to hear motorplan will take care of it, but no more Kyalami-ing :rollsmile::fencelook:

 

[Immo-ZN]

Im experiencing the same problem with my 2008 323i. It even went as far as to not being able to change @ one stage. Sent it in and they could not find a fault. Had the same issue again, quick and uncomfortable changing from 2 to 3. Sending in again on Friday, lets see what they have to say this time around

 

[Ricky318i]

Explain what you mean with "harsh changeover"... :thinking:

 

[alwynpv]

Got feedback from dealer. Their intention was to give me a reconditioned gearbox. 2nd hand casing, new innards. I'm not convinced...

After discussion they will probably send the whole car to the gearbox experts to only replace parts that needs attention.

What do you suggest? Reconditioned box or same box with newer parts?

@Ricky318i: Most gear changes you hardly feel but sometimes from 2nd to 3rd throws you forward and backwards. Under hard acceleration no issues are found, only perceived at slow traffic speeds.

 

[DieselFan]

It really makes no difference in my opinion. You will have a warranty with the new gearbox and I'm sure its rebuilt at ZF. Take whichever option has your car back soonest. Probably just swapping it out for a reconditioned box. You should also have a warranty with the reconditioned box.

 

[freakazoid]

Hi guys

This question is mostly out of curiosity :

Bought the car in 2013, got the motor plan transferred to my name in the process.

Car went in for 85000km service. I mentioned that I sometimes feel a harsh changeover between 2nd and 3rd at low acceleration.

Got a phone call during lunchtime. They found a problem on the gearbox and have ordered a new one. Luckily I am still under motor plan!

Question is, have anybody else experienced something similar and had their whole gearbox replaced?

Should I be concerned?

And what are the costs involved for such a replacement if it had been out of motor plan?

I have a 2009 335i, mileage at 67000km and also waiting for a gearbox replacement. In my case my issues started in December at about 63000km. Clunk sound when starting, gear changes jerky from 1st to 2nd and on downshifts. There is also a rumbling sound when pulling away. Bmw did pick up an error code on gearbox.

I went through the whole process of first software reset, then oil change and finally gearbox replacement. Wonder if it's new or rebuilt as mentioned in this thread. I have been waiting since last week Monday for box to come from JHB and getting it done tomorrow.

 

[DieselFan]

I dont think BMW give new gearboxes only reconditioned ones. Hope you guys get sorted. Nothing wrong with a recond box though.

 

[Redshert]

Most gear changes you hardly feel but sometimes from 2nd to 3rd throws you forward and backwards. Under hard acceleration no issues are found, only perceived at slow traffic speeds.

Mine does the same thing, the exact same thing and I'm on 87000km... bleak, time to start my bitching

 

[alwynpv]

Mine does the same thing, the exact same thing and I'm on 87000km... bleak, time to start my bitching

I didn't even do that much moaning, just mentioned the gear change and asked them to check the fluid levels.

Got confirmation that the box will have two year warranty on it. Covers me well past my 100 000km Motorplan

 

[madness_inc]

Do BMW still insist on "Lifetime Fluid" on their auto gearboxes in the E9xs?

 

[Redshert]

Do BMW still insist on "Lifetime Fluid" on their auto gearboxes in the E9xs?

I have no idea but how the hell can oils be lifetime? Change that shiz, your car will love you and that's all that matters, fek the agents

 

[madness_inc]

Do BMW still insist on "Lifetime Fluid" on their auto gearboxes in the E9xs?

I have no idea but how the hell can oils be lifetime? Change that shiz, your car will love you and that's all that matters, fek the agents

BMW logic. Lots of failures on E36 and E46 boxes dude to fluid not being changed.

 

[Redshert]

Mine does the same thing, the exact same thing and I'm on 87000km... bleak, time to start my bitching

I didn't even do that much moaning, just mentioned the gear change and asked them to check the fluid levels.

Got confirmation that the box will have two year warranty on it. Covers me well past my 100 000km Motorplan

Ok cool, I'll chat to them, the car is in for service today, one left on MP after this... then :joy:

---

Do BMW still insist on "Lifetime Fluid" on their auto gearboxes in the E9xs?

I have no idea but how the hell can oils be lifetime? Change that shiz, your car will love you and that's all that matters, fek the agents

BMW logic. Lots of failures on E36 and E46 boxes dude to fluid not being changed.

They just have the worst at the best of times!! I am a firm believer in changing fluids, especially on older gen cars. I used to work with hydraulics so was always draining gearbox oil in order to remove parts, and the stuff I've seen, even in newer model MB trucks, change your gearbox oil after a while, plus new GB oil smells so good :fencelook:

 

[alwynpv]

A quick update:

Car went in on Wednesday the 12th of February, expected to be finished by the 14th of February. They gave me a loan car, pretty much new 316i, 5000km on the clock. Less torque than my 320d, but all the bells and wissles are nice.
So the gearbox was sent to ZF to be repaired, wasn't finished by the 14th but I don't mind, putting the extra kms on their car instead of mine. Eventually called them again today, got feedback that the replacement part on the gearbox is out of stock, on it's way from Germany, scheduled to arrive the 28th of Feb. So my best bet for getting the car back is around the 5th of March. Not a big issue, will be putting close to a month's worth of mileage on their car.

Thank goodness for Motorplan, this episode makes me reconsider the extension of my Motorplan past 100 000km, the peace of mind might be worth the money spent.

 

[Redshert]

Awesome news, at least you have their loan vehicle to rack up that mileage and attempt to burn rubber... does the 316 feel like the e90 320i? I'm pushing for this same replacement before motorplan is up... just remember you will get a 1year warranty on the gearbox.

I drove my 120d for 160k kms and never skipped a beat out of motorplan... the amount I would pay to extend just couldn't be justified in the 1-2 services I'd get out of it... SW and DP!!! :rollsmile:

 

[P1000]

R18 000 for a rebuild. They will just purchase a rebuilt on from ZF.

You probably would have found the problem would have gone away with an oil change and resetting the adaptions. But who knows 85k kms is very low for a box to have problems. Unless its been abused.

Hmmmm, R18k you will probably get a half-rebuilt box that could take you just past the warranty date...

Lifetime fluid will last the design life of the gearbox, which is in the order of 200kkm+. There is no chemical contamination of oil in a gearbox, and the synthetic stuff really lasts long for that reason...

 

[alwynpv]

Awesome news, at least you have their loan vehicle to rack up that mileage and attempt to burn rubber... does the 316 feel like the e90 320i? I'm pushing for this same replacement before motorplan is up... just remember you will get a 1year warranty on the gearbox.

I drove my 120d for 160k kms and never skipped a beat out of motorplan... the amount I would pay to extend just couldn't be justified in the 1-2 services I'd get out of it... SW and DP!!! :rollsmile:

I have only driven my e90 320d, obviously the lack of Torque is clearly evident. The Eco Pro Mode on the 316i is impressive but when you need that passing acceleration you don't worry about fuel economy. Paying around R400k for the 316i is not my idea of value for money, much rather spend a little bit more for the 320d at the very least.

On the Motor Plan extension: I am not yet sold on the idea, but if you add it to your vehicle finance and see it as an insurance policy against failures it might make sense... spending R20k to R30k on "reliability insurance" is still allot of money.