Buying a e90 320d with faulty gearbox

[vaneyslz]

Hi Gents and ladies if there are any.

Searching through Gumtree, I came across a decent looking 320d Steptronic with a faulty gearbox. Gearbox slips under heavy acceleration changing into 5th and occasionally in 3rd. I can pick it up at R65000. The car has 186000 km's on the clock and has full service history. It's in a very good condition.

My questions: Is this a major problem? Is it worth buying the car and having the box rebuilt? How safe is it to buy a used box from a spares place?

...or should I not even consider this car?

I know it's a lot of questions but I trust you wise people will be able to assist.

Thanks in advance.

Zane

 

[MikeR]

:smashScreen: no gents here.....go wash your mouth son.

Ok - best bet is pick up the phone and speak to ZF they will give you a good idea on cost....at one stage I thought they where Advertiser/Supporters of the forum.

I wouldn't chance a box from a scrap yard, you have no comeback.

 

[TurboLlew]

:smashScreen: no gents here.....go wash your mouth son.

Ok - best bet is pick up the phone and speak to ZF they will give you a good idea on cost....at one stage I thought they where Advertiser/Supporters of the forum.

I wouldn't chance a box from a scrap yard, you have no comeback.

I agree! ZF is very helpful - spoke to them over the phone. I was considering a too-cheap-to-ignore 7er. Was too cheap to ignore for a reason though. BMW suggested I speak to them directly. Cost to recon that particular box was prohibitive and no stock to be found in scrapyards. Not sure about the newer boxes.

 

[vaneyslz]

:smashScreen: no gents here.....go wash your mouth son.

Ok - best bet is pick up the phone and speak to ZF they will give you a good idea on cost....at one stage I thought they where Advertiser/Supporters of the forum.

I wouldn't chance a box from a scrap yard, you have no comeback.

I agree! ZF is very helpful - spoke to them over the phone. I was considering a too-cheap-to-ignore 7er. Was too cheap to ignore for a reason though. BMW suggested I speak to them directly. Cost to recon that particular box was prohibitive and no stock to be found in scrapyards. Not sure about the newer boxes.

Thanks guys. Will give ZF a call in the AM.

 

[Ratslaaf]

What year model is the car?

A gearbox rebuild would be R25k minimum. At ZF would be some more. Either way, don't go for a secondhand box for these as they do have problems. If the car is worth R100k in trade then it's worthwhile. If it's a pre-lci then I wouldn't bother hey.

 

[Gizmo]

Had a few gearboxes reconditioned by ZF now. R35k is the going rate there so 35k+65k=100k already on a car that may or may not have even more issues that you only discover after the gearbox is rebuilt. What is the value of the car? If only around 100k then walk away.

 

[JodyD]

Had a few gearboxes reconditioned by ZF now. R35k is the going rate there so 35k+65k=100k already on a car that may or may not have even more issues that you only discover after the gearbox is rebuilt. What is the value of the car? If only around 100k then walk away.

Like Gizmo said, Cost is R35k just had mine done