HELP - 2003 z4 e85 smg gearbox

[Boerie]

Haven't been on this forum in a very long time. (had my e39 540i)
My FIL is on pension and his z4 gearbox intermittently got stuck in gear. This is the m54 z4 e85 3.0 with SMG gearbox. Believe its very close to the same gearbox the 2003 - 2006 M3 had?
Anyway......

We've been ( by we I mean a gearbox place in Pretoria) battling 9 months now to get this gearbox sorted.
I need to know who I can talk to that can give advice.
We started with TCU,
Then clutch,
Then release bearing and fork ( which I believe was a waste) as it was working fine before.
Then we bought another clutch, The other one was not right we were told.
Then we were told the pressure sensor is broken and needs to be replaced.
Then they couldn't find o-rings.
Then we were told we need to replace the throttle body. (yes, shock and horror)
Now we are told the diagnostic is saying "Gearbox Problem" and they can't continue, we might need to replace the hydraulic pump on the gearbox.

We are at a point to either set the car alight OR strip out the SMG and make it manual.
Both options will be costly.

I just want to know from some experts what might have some knowledge on the SMG. And maybe engage in conversation or get pointer where to buy parts if needed.


Thanks in advance.

 

[TurboLlew]

It sounds like this specialist is a quack.

You need to take it to a place that actually specialises in SMG boxes. TuneTech (JHB)/Ross Duncan (Midrand) or Peter (AEW and on the forum) are not exactly close to you but might be able to offer you a better idea of what is possible over the phone before you send the car there. They will certainly have actually worked on SMG boxes before.

I would personally manual swap it considering how much money it is going to likely cost either way.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Get a ZF 6 spd from a 330 e46 and change to manual.
Cheaper than going down the rabbit hole.
Same flywheel and clutch kit roughly 6k in the aftermarket.

 

[Tinuva]

Get a ZF 6 spd from a 330 e46 and change to manual.
Cheaper than going down the rabbit hole.
Same flywheel and clutch kit roughly 6k in the aftermarket.

I must looking in the wrong places, been looking for one of those 6 speeds myself.

 

[Boerie]

It sounds like this specialist is a quack.

You need to take it to a place that actually specialises in SMG boxes. TuneTech (JHB)/Ross Duncan (Midrand) or Peter (AEW and on the forum) are not exactly close to you but might be able to offer you a better idea of what is possible over the phone before you send the car there. They will certainly have actually worked on SMG boxes before.

I would personally manual swap it considering how much money it is going to likely cost either way.

thanks for the info kind sir.
Will go visit them.