CleanIsFast Journal: BMW X5 4.6iS

[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

I would do a remanufactured ZF5hp from ZF. You could change the TC but you will already have the trans out might as well do the reman Trans and keep rolling.

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

You can get a remanufactured Trans from ZF for about $3k which includes the rebuilt TC.

Do you have a link for that? Only ZF reman transmissions I've seen are for about $4,100. I still have to call a few places.

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Have you had a diagnosis done by a local independent transmission shop that is familiar with the ZF5HP24 transmission?

Not yet, because I haven't found a good transmission shop around me. I'll have to ask around and see.

After some research, these are the place to possible get a reman transmission:
Go-Powertrain (Harrisonburg, VA)
ZFtranspart - Eriksson Industries (CT)
ImportPerformance - (Wayne, NJ)

Either way; right now, I can not afford a new transmission. Now, the SES light is off...

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

Do you have a link for that? Only ZF reman transmissions I've seen are for about $4,100. I still have to call a few places.



Not yet, because I haven't found a good transmission shop around me. I'll have to ask around and see.

After some research, these are the place to possible get a reman transmission:
Go-Powertrain (Harrisonburg, VA)
ZFtranspart - Eriksson Industries (CT)
ImportPerformance - (Wayne, NJ)

Either way; right now, I can not afford a new transmission. Now, the SES light is off...

I went with GoPowertrain for the Remanufactured ZF trans

[CleanIsFast]

So, for 5 weeks the 4.6 has actually been behaving! Transmission/Torque Converter code has not comeback and overall has been a blast to drive. I drove it to work everyday last week, and no real issues. I periodically hook it up to the autolink to see if there are any codes/pending codes. To my surprise there was absolutely nothing. When I used to perform the I/M Readiness check, there would always be faults in the O2, Evap, Air, Cat, etc Now, all green check marks. I was actually surprised as hell and almost proud.

But of course when the beast starts to return some joy it takes some back. Started to notice during rainfall, water starting to leak through the homelink area??? I couldn't believe it. I removed the entire homelink unit, lights, and surrounding trim and I could not for the life of me figure out where the water was coming from? It's just an empty space up there. There is a startup squeak from time to time from the starter.

We recently acquired a 2011 X5 35d, so that'll be the new wife mobile. We got an excellent deal on it at our local dealership. Happy wife happy life.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by X53Jay4.8is

I went with GoPowertrain for the Remanufactured ZF trans

FWIW, I tried to do the same. They told me the nearby factory where they get all the parts was shut down for retooling. They have no ZF transmissions and no ETA. I would have LOVED to get one from them though. I ended up going with Eriksson Industries bc I had little other choice. This extended the down time since they take in your core, rebuild it, send it back. That process alone was at least 3 weeks maybe 4 with shipping. My E53 was out of commission for 4-5 weeks.

Now, having said all of THAT... The damn thing is awesome. Not just the drive. Which is SO way better. But the *knowing*, ya know? Like I *know* that damn transmission will shift. Well.. let's be truthful. I *expect* it to shift the way it's supposed to. And THAT expectation is VERY different from what it once was.

Before the transmission swap, I always had a bit o that 'Bimmer' worry in the back of my head. I would think like we all do.. not 'what if' it screws up.. but *when* it screws up. It was today.. I think.. Hot shift at highway speed. Maybe 6-5. Everything felt exactly like it used to when the old unit would slip. Catch. Jerk. Whatever. And that uncertainty about 'when it'll mess up' is getting less and less certain. It's changing the pleasure with which I enjoy the ride. It's removing the big ole 'But' from driving this car. There is no longer a 'but'. There is only... Oh.. hell.. yes.

For the E53 pundits out there... And even for them that long for the 'old days' of reliable Bimmers- which never existed. People like to say that BMW's used to be reliable the same way everything used to be better than it is today. 'Old timer-itis' I say.

This is the *THIRD* BMW transmission I have replaced. The first? My 1975 2002 with just a tinge over 100k. (sound familiar?) It should. BC that transmission was the FIRST time I replaced it. Less than 5 years later.. I replaced it again under warranty. And all of THAT was after I'd already replaced the motor with less than 110k.

Let's hope that THIS transmission gives me another 25 years of service like the 2nd one did in the '02. But let's do us the favor not to fool ourselves into thinking that a company built on performance ever once suggested the cars are anywhere close to reliable.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

FWIW, I tried to do the same. They told me the nearby factory where they get all the parts was shut down for retooling. They have no ZF transmissions and no ETA. I would have LOVED to get one from them though. I ended up going with Eriksson Industries bc I had little other choice. This extended the down time since they take in your core, rebuild it, send it back. That process alone was at least 3 weeks maybe 4 with shipping. My E53 was out of commission for 4-5 weeks.

Now, having said all of THAT... The damn thing is awesome. Not just the drive. Which is SO way better. But the *knowing*, ya know? Like I *know* that damn transmission will shift. Well.. let's be truthful. I *expect* it to shift the way it's supposed to. And THAT expectation is VERY different from what it once was.

Before the transmission swap, I always had a bit o that 'Bimmer' worry in the back of my head. I would think like we all do.. not 'what if' it screws up.. but *when* it screws up. It was today.. I think.. Hot shift at highway speed. Maybe 6-5. Everything felt exactly like it used to when the old unit would slip. Catch. Jerk. Whatever. And that uncertainty about 'when it'll mess up' is getting less and less certain. It's changing the pleasure with which I enjoy the ride. It's removing the big ole 'But' from driving this car. There is no longer a 'but'. There is only... Oh.. hell.. yes.

For the E53 pundits out there... And even for them that long for the 'old days' of reliable Bimmers- which never existed. People like to say that BMW's used to be reliable the same way everything used to be better than it is today. 'Old timer-itis' I say.

This is the *THIRD* BMW transmission I have replaced. The first? My 1975 2002 with just a tinge over 100k. (sound familiar?) It should. BC that transmission was the FIRST time I replaced it. Less than 5 years later.. I replaced it again under warranty. And all of THAT was after I'd already replaced the motor with less than 110k.

Let's hope that THIS transmission gives me another 25 years of service like the 2nd one did in the '02. But let's do us the favor not to fool ourselves into thinking that a company built on performance ever once suggested the cars are anywhere close to reliable.

On the other hand, my transmission is going strong after 117,000 miles. I drive hard and the transmission is handling much more HP and TQ than stock.

[CleanIsFast]

04.01.17 - Interior Vacuum Time!

Decided to take the seats out and vacuum the interior, not as dirty as I suspected. Only found $0.36 under the seats. Taking the driver & passenger seats are very straight forward. (4) 5/8 (16mm?) bolts, (2) bolt caps, seat belt harness bolt and the electric harness. Surprisingly the seats weren't as heavy as I thought they would be. I'm pretty sure my previous E83 X3 and current E39 M5 seats are heavy. Haven't tested the E70 seats, but I would image those bad boys are heavy!



On a positive note, the transfer case code as not been back in weeks! Maybe that transmission fluid/filter service worked? I still get the 2-1 downshift lurch but have learned how to minimize it coming to a stop (again in sport mode, it doesn't happen). I tend to drive the 4.6 about 3-4 days out of the week to work. I would still like to do the VCG job but I am on the fence about doing it because everyone says to just do the timing chain guides as well since you are 1/3 of the way there. TCG is a very invasive and expensive job, and after dumping a ton of money into this thing over the first 2 months of ownership, I have a sour taste in my mouth.

I would also like to address the suspension: rear passenger side squats like a fat lady - possible upper control arm? Front looks like I have positive camber? Afraid to bring it to a shop in fear they will tell me I need a complete suspension overhaul! But I think if anything the engine stuff needs to be prioritized first.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

04.01.17 - Interior Vacuum Time!

Decided to take the seats out and vacuum the interior, not as dirty as I suspected. Only found $0.36 under the seats. Taking the driver & passenger seats are very straight forward. (4) 5/8 (16mm?) bolts, (2) bolt caps, seat belt harness bolt and the electric harness. Surprisingly the seats weren't as heavy as I thought they would be. I'm pretty sure my previous E83 X3 and current E39 M5 seats are heavy. Haven't tested the E70 seats, but I would image those bad boys are heavy!



On a positive note, the transfer case code as not been back in weeks! Maybe that transmission fluid/filter service worked? I still get the 2-1 downshift lurch but have learned how to minimize it coming to a stop (again in sport mode, it doesn't happen). I tend to drive the 4.6 about 3-4 days out of the week to work. I would still like to do the VCG job but I am on the fence about doing it because everyone says to just do the timing chain guides as well since you are 1/3 of the way there. TCG is a very invasive and expensive job, and after dumping a ton of money into this thing over the first 2 months of ownership, I have a sour taste in my mouth.

I would also like to address the suspension: rear passenger side squats like a fat lady - possible upper control arm? Front looks like I have positive camber? Afraid to bring it to a shop in fear they will tell me I need a complete suspension overhaul! But I think if anything the engine stuff needs to be prioritized first.

Suspension is no biggie. Take care of all the engine stuff like the leaks, timing chain guides and timing chain. Then you can come back to the suspension.

[X5UK88]

You say you get a rough 2-1 downshift. How rough? Mine is almost painful, ha. I hate coming to a stop!

[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by X5UK88

You say you get a rough 2-1 downshift. How rough? Mine is almost painful, ha. I hate coming to a stop!

Well it can definitely be bad at times, but I've learned to pretty much coast to a stop keeping the rpms around 1k and easing to a stop and it's a lot better.

[X5UK88]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

Well it can definitely be bad at times, but I've learned to pretty much coast to a stop keeping the rpms around 1k and easing to a stop and it's a lot better.

I will give that a go, mine once up to temp feels like I've either been rear ended or I've slammed the brakes for a split second.