E46 330i auto transmission?

[///M Individual]

Hi guys. Im new here. I dont drive a bmw yet(one day hopefully) but my mate has a 2004 330i Individual automatic. Its got about 90000kms now and has motorplan till april next year. I've read somewhere that the automatic transmission becomes problematic though. Is this true? If so what exactly happens to the transmission? And before motorplan expires what can he get BMW to do in order to ensure his box doesn't get stuffed up, if anything? Thanks in advance.

 

[P1000]

No, that box will most likely last another 90kkm easily. You could try to get them to change the oil, as they changed it from lifetime to 80kkm in the US. With that box, the most common fault is a torque converter seal leak or torque converter clutch gives in. This necessitates a new torque converter and there is pretty much nothing you can do befor it packs up. Luckily, the car will still be driveable without a torque converter clutch, and will not cause damage to any other parts. I would wait till it packs up. Rebuild will cost 15k-25k depending on where. Rebuilt box from BMW incl installation will be somewhere between 50 and 75k, so not an option.

 

[///M Individual]

Thanks alot. Very valuable information there. Thats a relief. Got a bit worried. Thought he made a bad decision buying a auto.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
What about if it does pack up, switching it over to manual???
can a auto to manual conversion be done on the E46??

 

[P1000]

yes, its just as extensive mod as on the e39 - a lot of work!

see here
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=659314

 

[Sankekur]

I am thinking if it recon'ing the torque converter runs to about 15-25k it might actually be worthwhile to do the auto to manual swap, as it will probably cost around the same, unless you don't like manuals or something, just my opinion of course.

 

[P1000]

I am thinking if it recon'ing the torque converter runs to about 15-25k it might actually be worthwhile to do the auto to manual swap, as it will probably cost around the same, unless you don't like manuals or something, just my opinion of course.

15-25k is for a complete box overhaul. new clutch packs, refurbed valve body, refurbed/new torque converter. The manual swap will be around 12-20k for the parts, then a LOT of labour and a bit of re-coding... So it will be about the same, but one important thing to keep in mind, is that a manual car keeps its value much better, especially when its getting a bit older (6+years it starts showing). Especially when the price drops below a certain point. But then comes the question: how much will butchering the car affects its value? Probably depends if you try to trade it in at a dealer.

 

[Sankekur]

I am thinking if it recon'ing the torque converter runs to about 15-25k it might actually be worthwhile to do the auto to manual swap, as it will probably cost around the same, unless you don't like manuals or something, just my opinion of course.

15-25k is for a complete box overhaul. new clutch packs, refurbed valve body, refurbed/new torque converter. The manual swap will be around 12-20k for the parts, then a LOT of labour and a bit of re-coding... So it will be about the same, but one important thing to keep in mind, is that a manual car keeps its value much better, especially when its getting a bit older (6+years it starts showing). Especially when the price drops below a certain point. But then comes the question: how much will butchering the car affects its value? Probably depends if you try to trade it in at a dealer.

Ohh, whoops, seems I misunderstood

Guess it would all depend personal choices, but it does make sense that a manual will keep its value a bit better, but that would be up to the owner.

 

[///M Individual]

We wouldve loved a manual. But this car came so highly specd that it was hard to resist. It has xenons, ERRB, pdc, e/seats, bluetooth, sunroof etc. which is quite impressive for a e46.

 

[zaleonardz]

find the spares, I'll let you do the manaul swap over....