All e90 autobox owners

[SirSparky]

Hey all, as some of you know, iam in the market for a new car. I have 4 months to shop around and decide. Iam opting to go for a 2006-upwards e90 320d.

I like my manual gearbox but iam not lis for expensive clutch an DMF costs.How reliable are the auto boxes in the e90 range. Anybody experience problems with there auto box?

What are the common problems associated with these boxes?

Thanks in advance

 

[KarshS]

Hey all, as some of you know, iam in the market for a new car. I have 4 months to shop around and decide. Iam opting to go for a 2006-upwards e90 320d.

I like my manual gearbox but iam not lis for expensive clutch an DMF costs.How reliable are the auto boxes in the e90 range. Anybody experience problems with there auto box?

What are the common problems associated with these boxes?

Thanks in advance

The auto is a pleasure to drive...

If you keeping the car stock the boxes are awesome..

Just keep 5k aside to do the gearbox service around 100k. Its a must.

 

[AlexYannoulatos]

what consists of the gearbox service ? My 320d is sitting on 230 000 km, maybe i should do one :tiptoe:

 

[KarshS]

what consists of the gearbox service ? My 320d is sitting on 230 000 km, maybe i should do one :tiptoe:

Its not recommended for cars with high mileage. Thats why you need to do it early in its life.

Oil change....new filters, pan and gasket. Adaptation settings

 

[ChefDJ]

Autobox is trouble free if you look after the car :=):

what consists of the gearbox service ? My 320d is sitting on 230 000 km, maybe i should do one :tiptoe:

Maybe not :fencelook:

 

[Spannie]

I was at ZF yesterday, they do the auto boxes for around R4500. The manual gearbox takes about 2 liters of oil so you'd only be in for about R400 for the oil and then an hours labour I'd guess.

I find BMW auto boxes very sluggish and the guys at ZF also confirmed that they get a lot more auto's in for repairs compared to manuals. If you keep the car stock and have a lot of traffic I'd go for the auto.

 

[AlexYannoulatos]

I guess I don't need to start putting 5k aside then haha. Thanks for the advice.


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I do have a bit of a knock when the car goes to 1st gear, BMW recommended a software update. It was then booked in and done . After all it was exactly same and my CBS showed my oil was immediately due for a change when it had been done 1500km before the software update.


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[Twincam Shark]

I am on 120 000km with no issues on my box.
But I want to go in to ZF for them to test the oil and confirm.

E90 - 320 lci 135kw auto stock

 

[Twinz]

Auto....great choice on the e90 and trouble free...
Cant see you really packing up the box on a 320d compared to a 335 where the tuned cars run high TQ and boxes eventually start to slip.

 

[navybluered]

where is dis ZF, mine doesn't have a problem but I would like 2 keep it checked up every now and then..

 

[Spannie]

They're in Germiston right next to the R24 at 170 Hermann Street, Meadowdale, Germiston. Ask for a Ricardo, really helpful guy.

 

[Bayn46]

Auto boxes are great as a daily, but definitely aren't as fun or responsive when you're having some fun.

I was at ZF yesterday, they do the auto boxes for around R4500. The manual gearbox takes about 2 liters of oil so you'd only be in for about R400 for the oil and then an hours labour I'd guess.

Is the extra cost on the auto primarily labour? I know they also throw on a new seal and do software adaptions which probably adds a bit to the price.

 

[Spannie]

Auto boxes are great as a daily, but definitely aren't as fun or responsive when you're having some fun.

I was at ZF yesterday, they do the auto boxes for around R4500. The manual gearbox takes about 2 liters of oil so you'd only be in for about R400 for the oil and then an hours labour I'd guess.

Is the extra cost on the auto primarily labour? I know they also throw on a new seal and do software adaptions which probably adds a bit to the price.

Yes the service includes the new sump (which is the filter apparently), and it obviously takes more fluid and new gaskets are needed. The manual is a lot simpler hence the massive price difference.

 

[Bayn46]

Yes the service includes the new sump (which is the filter apparently), and it obviously takes more fluid and new gaskets are needed. The manual is a lot simpler hence the massive price difference.

Figured as much, guess it all adds up :ty:

 

[AshG108]

My car is the 135w 320d Lci...Just had anew gearbox fitted as it ticked over 100k as it was a bit rough when the gearbox oil was cold in the mornings and also the change from 2nd into 3rd.

Apparently, compression issues were found when i complained and then the car has a brand new box fitted now. car drives beautiful again and is super smooth.

The issue my car experienced doesn't seem to be uncommon, but neither is it every second car either.

 

[tman]

FYI

ZF repairs about 480 auto boxes a year, vs 2-3 Manual boxes.

There is quite a lot to consider when weighing up auto vs manual. I was unfortunate to be one of those 3 people that needed a new gearbox.

I think it is crucial to get the gearbox checked out before purchase.

 

[Bradon]

Just bought e90 320 auto.. So far loving it especially in tracffic..

I dont know much about the auto's but from the time i have had it has been
great to drive

 

[Bayn46]

For the sake of completeness, here is what is involved in the auto box service from ZF.

6HP26 Oil filter
Life Guard 6 oil X 8
Sleeve
Labour (2hrs)

It should also be noted that diagnostics is a separate charge (oil test, etc.), but if you leave the car and do the service, the diagnostics is free. Total cost is between R4,500 and R5,000.

I'm probably going to take my car in next month as they're on the other side of Cape Town (relative to where I work).