Z4 Gear Box Repair

[Fraser]

So took the Zed round to a wee man round the corner to have a look at the Gearbox.
Been having issues with it since the timing chain snapped on the last engine.

Ive heard a lot of good things about this man, he has an excellent setup at his place and his prices are half that of anywhere else.

Was a bit dubious and decided to pop in today to see how he was getting on;

and found my car parked over the Pit with the Gearbox removed....

Car was nicely wrapped in plastic to protect the paint and the man was wearing gloves....
Now that I like

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Forgot the pic

 

[Thunder]

Looking good. :thumbs:

Hope she is back on the road asap.

 

[GoCart]

Good stuff,

So nice when you take your car to a mechanic and they look after it… he will most likely install quality parts, not like other turds……

 

[Fraser]

Looking good. :thumbs:

Hope she is back on the road asap.

He's walking distance from your house.....
You should go have a chat with him about the witch

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Any body notice the effect a camera flash has on your number plate if its wrapped in cling film..... or is that just me?

 

[Rommies]

hope you get her sorted! :thumbs:

 

[gerald5ive]

Which workshop is this?

 

[Fraser]

Which workshop is this?

An ex BMW Mechanic has set up a workshop at his house round the corner from me.

 

[Blue Shirt]

What kind of problems did you have with the gearbox?

The box on my Z4 became difficult to select 1st gear, and 2nd gear scratched every time when doing a quick shift.

The dealers first replaced the clutch on my car (R12k), when that did not help, the gearbox was replaced (R53k). The chief mechanic told me that they are not allowed to open the gearbox to do any repairs, they exchange the gearbox and send to faulty one to BMW.

Thank goodness for Motorplan.

 

[Fraser]

What kind of problems did you have with the gearbox?

The box on my Z4 became difficult to select 1st gear, and 2nd gear scratched every time when doing a quick shift.

The dealers first replaced the clutch on my car (R12k), when that did not help, the gearbox was replaced (R53k). The chief mechanic told me that they are not allowed to open the gearbox to do any repairs, they exchange the gearbox and send to faulty one to BMW.

Thank goodness for Motorplan.

I have scratching between gears at high revs.
The car was not undriveable at all but I always knew it was there if you know what I mean.
I suspect it is the synch mesh (not sure if I spelt that right)

Thrust bearing is showing a bit of wear but clutch itself is fine.
Dealers told me it was the clutch (R36K)
Quotation for this job R1800
I'll take the chance.

 

[lambchop]

Clean that dusty engine bay

I hope he sorts out your car Fraser :thumbs:

 

[Fraser]

Thanks Nick.
Can't believe you inspected my engine bay....
Gutted.
:thumbdo:

 

[moranor@axis]

interesting you say 1st and 2nd gear problems... when i run the numbers on the 6 speed box i put in my e46 it says its from a Z4...

I also find 1st and second a bit stiff and very fast shifts can be an issues on those...

 

[Fraser]

interesting you say 1st and 2nd gear problems... when i run the numbers on the 6 speed box i put in my e46 it says its from a Z4...

I also find 1st and second a bit stiff and very fast shifts can be an issues on those...

That would make me feel better if I had a 6 speed gearbox.

Fault I made was allowing someone to work on the engine that wasnt a BMW Mechanic (or ex)
As a result the timing chain wasnt put back properly and snapped as I changed into second gear pulling awat casually from a stop street.

How I understand it, in laymans terms as Im not in anyway mechanically minded, is when the engine stopped the wheels were still turning forcing the gears whilst I was moving. Despite the fact that it wasnt fast.

I replaced the engine with a 2012 spec one at a cost of R102000.00
Then realised I had a gearbox issue.
To replace the gearbox would have pushed me far outside the value of the car, just wasnt worth it.

She's no problem as long as I drive normally.
However I know that from first to second and second to third at high revs I get thew good old chocolate gearbox syndrome...

The car is almost perfect and I dont intend selling her in the near future, just giving her a well deserved reprieve.

 

[Blue Shirt]

I am sure you will be able to find a good used 5-speed box for not a lot of money if necessary.

Good luck with the repair.

 

[Gizmo]

That looks like the ZF 5spd found in the E36 328i and 3.0lt M3, also the E46 328i and 330i use the same box.

I thought the Z4 had a 6spd...

 

[Fraser]

That looks like the ZF 5spd found in the E36 328i and 3.0lt M3, also the E46 328i and 330i use the same box.

I thought the Z4 had a 6spd...

Not the first models...2003 - 2006 I bleieve all had 5 speed.
Mine is the late 2003 model.
Additionally the same model came out with an integrated electric motor in the steering rack.
Despite there being major issues with the setup on the steering rack it wasnt recalled or reviewed until the 2006 model.

Subsequently 4 days after I installed the new engine I ended up with no powered steering. Electric motor went.
3 months of research to repair to no avail. It was even sent to a company in Cape Town.

Solution, installing of a 2012 steering Rack...R41000.00

Damn thing is nearly brand new.

 

[ashley]

Mine is a 2004 (actually built 15th Dec 2003) 3.0i and has a 6 speed manual

Wish it was built after April 2004 - had some extra features from then onwards

 

[Fraser]

Mine is a 2004 (actually built 15th Dec 2003) 3.0i and has a 6 speed manual

Wish it was built after April 2004 - had some extra features from then onwards

3.0 all had 6 speed.
2.5 not...which is what mine is. I stand corrected though.
Have you ever seen the Megafactories Programme of how the 3.0 was built.
Brilliant

 

[Thunder]

Looking good. :thumbs:

Hope she is back on the road asap.

He's walking distance from your house.....
You should go have a chat with him about the witch

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Any body notice the effect a camera flash has on your number plate if its wrapped in cling film..... or is that just me?

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Maybe pm me his address and I can pop round sometime once the witch is completely opened up. :thumbs:

 

[Andy1GP]

This is Great news Fraser, at last you're cabby is in good hands