(Cheapo) Rebuild transmission vs. remanufactured vs. new?

[RedsoX5]

Ok I am just now getting a transmission fault code on my 121K 2005 4.8is "cherry" exterior/interior TiAg blk/silver blk alcantara M texture that I "stole" for $9216 three weeks ago in Duluth, GA. Got the dreaded "4F85" "ratio monitoring clutch E" as the code. Trans. has been "flairing" occasionally going into fourth? gear from third? in regular non-sport setting mostly. I am reading about bushing failure on Input shaft, etc. Am told needs a "new" transmission by my Indy. UGH! YOU ARE KIDDING RIGHT!

Just got the front struts replaced last week and front sensor re-oriented properly which stopped the negative height reading and the "sagging of the front end" after a few hours and now replacing the air compressor (which I bought NEW for $389 OEM from a German company thru Ebay) tomorrow so suspension should be sorted out soon. Also needed a new battery had a real bad cheapo one that was dying. Invested a little over $2K so far in parts/repairs. Now this!

Anyway I am not totally surprised because of the mileage and the history of the ZF 6HP26 transmission my BEAST has in it but my Indy says transmission needs to be replaced/rebuilt and their BEST GUY referral wants $4900 for a "perfect" rebuilt? or remanu.? tranny with two year warranty PLUS $700 intallation by my guys labor. YIKES! But I called around and a (cheapo I guess) place in Morrow, GA says they will do the rebuild with one year warranty for like $1385 (after the $685 special discount HAHA) plus fluid cost and even tow the X5 in if necessary! I think they are INCLUDING putting the tranny BACK in as well!

Ok what gives? Lots of transmission places around and I know they all want my $$$$ but the range is amazing! Also a place in LA is giving me a quote tomorrow which includes me trading my trans. in (core exchange deal).

Obviously I will be investigating this in much detail again tomorrow but just want suggestions on how to proceed. I have NO desire to spend a ton of money on the transmission now I am wanting to keep all costs under $14K and am at about $12K with tax currently. So much for the GREAT DEAL I got! LOL!

Suggestions? Thanks very much!

[David.X5]

Call some ZF distributors. They sell factory reman units for $3-$3.5k. Even comes filled with proper fluid. You can haggle with them. I would definitely do that before the expensive local rebuilder.

Have you tried anything less drastic? Updating the software? Fluid/filter change? Even $300 for ZF fluid and a filter seems worth the risk.

[X53Jay4.8is]

You are going to need a transmission and you should consider getting a ZF remanufactured which has the longest warranty 2 years and in some cases 3 years. You should expect a the trans will run anywhere from $3500-$4500. So now your X5 is in the average range of other X5 with similar mileage.

[Joshdub]

Manual swap

[Dking078]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

Manual swap

Good luck doing that to a 4.8is.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

Manual swap

Not really feasible on a 4.4 or V8 X5 for that matter.

[RRPhil]

As the stator bush is the first thing to come out of the transmission (once the Mechatronic unit is removed) are you not tempted to have a go yourself? There’s no need to disturb the rest of the running gear – assuming there are no other issues of course. Leakage in the E-clutch supply circuit caused by this worn bush prevents the transmission selecting 4th, 5th and 6th gears.





http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-teardown.html

Rear Stator Support Bushing - 95030-01 - Sonnax

Phil

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by RRPhil

As the stator bush is the first thing to come out of the transmission (once the Mechatronic unit is removed) are you not tempted to have a go yourself? There’s no need to disturb the rest of the running gear – assuming there are no other issues of course. Leakage in the E-clutch supply circuit caused by this worn bush prevents the transmission selecting 4th, 5th and 6th gears.





http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-teardown.html

Rear Stator Support Bushing - 95030-01 - Sonnax

Phil

This man knows his transmission stuff like no one else. Listen to him.

[RedsoX5]

OK still getting opinions on what to do. I am hearing a lot of "drive it, it isn't that bad, just wait till it goes, THEN get a rebuilt one" or "just get a new transmission ($4-8K)" (NOT doing that right now) and another "if you get it repaired, it may only be good for a month then you'll need a new one anyway." These are from two different BMW "experts", both with a ton of experience.

I like the idea of trying to fix the specific issue and getting a two year warranty for possibly $1200-1750. The PROBLEM is...and I have to talk with the local tranny repair guy who I met with today and who wants to break the tranny open for a look, (an Indy), is that he may only warrant the part(s) he replaces and what HE does, not what occurs to anything else later. Makes sense I guess but RISKY.

So this new to me (three weeks) 2005 4.8is is a bit enigmatic (really no surprise there). Overall, though I guess the bottom line is...I LOVE THE 2005 X5 4.8is TiAg w/Blk/Silver M tex!!!!!!!AND THE SUSPENSION IS NOW APPARENTY FIXED!!! YAY!!! AT LEAST FOR TODAY LOL!!!!

Flipping the sensor around in the front left, replacing the original front air struts with Arnotts which were leaking, replacing a worn out compressor with a new one (I think actually rebuilt but with two year warranty, they SAY new but for $389 shipped IT CAN"T BE), and so after recalibration and resetting GOOD TO GO! No errors, all systems OPERATIONAL.

So much for BMW Dealer (United BMW and BTW they never returned my call inquiring about this X5) having this thing for three weeks and NOT solving the problem per the PO's Indy. Vehicle drives perfectly now no sagging, no issues at all on the suspension. You guys were RIGHT that said these things CAN be fixed it is just a process of identifying the bad parts!

Ok then I very well may do what RRPhil has suggested and at least LOOK at the "bush" in the transmission. May cough up $600 to find out as I am NOT a DIY on transmissions...

Thanks for input on all this!

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by RedsoX5

OK still getting opinions on what to do. I am hearing a lot of "drive it, it isn't that bad, just wait till it goes, THEN get a rebuilt one" or "just get a new transmission ($4-8K)" (NOT doing that right now) and another "if you get it repaired, it may only be good for a month then you'll need a new one anyway." These are from two different BMW "experts", both with a ton of experience.

I like the idea of trying to fix the specific issue and getting a two year warranty for possibly $1200-1750. The PROBLEM is...and I have to talk with the local tranny repair guy who I met with today and who wants to break the tranny open for a look, (an Indy), is that he may only warrant the part(s) he replaces and what HE does, not what occurs to anything else later. Makes sense I guess but RISKY.

So this new to me (three weeks) 2005 4.8is is a bit enigmatic (really no surprise there). Overall, though I guess the bottom line is...I LOVE THE 2005 X5 4.8is TiAg w/Blk/Silver M tex!!!!!!!AND THE SUSPENSION IS NOW APPARENTY FIXED!!! YAY!!! AT LEAST FOR TODAY LOL!!!!

Flipping the sensor around in the front left, replacing the original front air struts with Arnotts which were leaking, replacing a worn out compressor with a new one (I think actually rebuilt but with two year warranty, they SAY new but for $389 shipped IT CAN"T BE), and so after recalibration and resetting GOOD TO GO! No errors, all systems OPERATIONAL.

So much for BMW Dealer (United BMW and BTW they never returned my call inquiring about this X5) having this thing for three weeks and NOT solving the problem per the PO's Indy. Vehicle drives perfectly now no sagging, no issues at all on the suspension. You guys were RIGHT that said these things CAN be fixed it is just a process of identifying the bad parts!

Ok then I very well may do what RRPhil has suggested and at least LOOK at the "bush" in the transmission. May cough up $600 to find out as I am NOT a DIY on transmissions...

Thanks for input on all this!

I wish RHPhil was over here in the states. His expertise and attention to detail is outstanding when it comes to these ZF tranny's.

You can get a remanufactured from ZF for around the $3500 mark. I would bite the bullet and and move on with your vehicle. By the way more than likely that X5 had the trans problems before you purchased it and is probably one of the reasons it ended up for sale. Escpecially since it had the air suspension woes.