Transmission: stupid question...

Abe_Froman · #1 09-15-2009, 12:03 PM

I've noticed some threads about transmission issues, but they seem to be related to the V8 models. Is this true? Are the 8s more prone to trans issues than the 6s?

jaypete1 · #2 09-15-2009, 01:00 PM

Actually, if you read through old threads you sometimes get the impression that 8's are less prone, evidently coming from a different factory. However, my personal observation is that it's relatively equally distributed.

Abe_Froman · #3 09-15-2009, 01:11 PM

I have an '04 3.0 with 26k miles that I just recently bought. So what, exactly are the transmission problems? Are there any tell-tale signs that a trans is on its way out, or any early indications that I may have troubles down the road?

If its something that can be fixed early on before it gets catastrophic, I want to know about it.

Ghost-Flame · #4 09-15-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe_Froman

I have an '04 3.0 with 26k miles that I just recently bought. So what, exactly are the transmission problems? Are there any tell-tale signs that a trans is on its way out, or any early indications that I may have troubles down the road?

If its something that can be fixed early on before it gets catastrophic, I want to know about it.

I think its more than you can handle... I'll tell you what, I feel generous today, I'll give you 60% of what you paid to take the issues off your hands.

What do you say?

JK

Quicksilver · #5 09-15-2009, 10:15 PM

This is like worrying about an earthquake.
You know it's going to happen but you just
don't know when. Best thing to do is be prepared
by saving your money and don't worry about it'
Just enjoy your ride. That's exactly what I do....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe_Froman

I have an '04 3.0 with 26k miles that I just recently bought. So what, exactly are the transmission problems? Are there any tell-tale signs that a trans is on its way out, or any early indications that I may have troubles down the road?

If its something that can be fixed early on before it gets catastrophic, I want to know about it.

Ghost-Flame · #6 09-16-2009, 07:06 AM

I agree w quicksilver, just enjoy your ride and be diligent in your maintenance.

Abe_Froman · #7 09-16-2009, 10:03 AM

So in answer to my question about leading indicators of a potential transmission problem, indicators that may allow me to fix a problem cheaply before it becomes a larger, more expensive issue, your answer is to just enjoy the ride?

You're telling me that my transmission will inevitably fail, and that there's not only no way to tell when it'll happen, but that there will be no warning signs in advance?

I'm new here, and all, so you'll have to forgive my ignorance. But is this really the best information the board can offer?

anerbe · #8 09-16-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe_Froman

So in answer to my question about leading indicators of a potential transmission problem, indicators that may allow me to fix a problem cheaply before it becomes a larger, more expensive issue, your answer is to just enjoy the ride?

You're telling me that my transmission will inevitably fail, and that there's not only no way to tell when it'll happen, but that there will be no warning signs in advance?

I'm new here, and all, so you'll have to forgive my ignorance. But is this really the best information the board can offer?

Your first question - there have been posts of transmission issues from all engine variants; 3.0, 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8. Not one of them is exempt.

Also, your question probably requires some statistics or at least a poll asking all owners to state 1. which engine and 2. if they had a problem or not. You could pull together all the posts of people with issues and add up which engine has more, but you don't know the % of people who own what and if they even posted about their issue.

Signs of a failing transmission? Search the forum for people with harsh shifting, gears not engaging, etc... An auto trans is an auto trans. BMW did not put a special trans in this car. Lets just say if it's shifting fine and there's no thumping/poor engagement of gears, etc... you have no signs. Preventative maintenance? I don't think there is anything you can really do besides making sure your trans software is up-to-date and possibly chaning your trans fluid (although there's debate on whether to change the fluid or not in our cars).

Can it eventually break down? - of course. Just like any other car. Transmissions have wearable parts - they will go at sometime. Worrying about it to the point it distracts your from enjoying the car? If you can't change your mindset, buy an extended warranty or get a new car. Used cars aint your bag.

anerbe · #9 09-16-2009, 10:35 AM

OP, just look down a couple of posts:

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

JCL · #10 09-16-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abe_Froman

So in answer to my question about leading indicators of a potential transmission problem, indicators that may allow me to fix a problem cheaply before it becomes a larger, more expensive issue, your answer is to just enjoy the ride?

You're telling me that my transmission will inevitably fail, and that there's not only no way to tell when it'll happen, but that there will be no warning signs in advance?

I'm new here, and all, so you'll have to forgive my ignorance. But is this really the best information the board can offer?

You have received pretty balanced responses, so I will generally just echo them and fill in a few points.

There are not reliable leading indicators for a BMW automatic transmission failure. That is because failures are not due to a single cause, or general wear (both of which aid in predictive maintenance). Many failures seem to be related to the failure of sensors and the electronics package in the transmission, and these types of failures by their nature are random.

If you get continuous or repeating fault code messages, that would be a predictor. Unfortunately, the first sign of failure is often a slow-to-engage reverse clutch, and that is a post-failure indicator.

This is in fact excellent information, just not the information we would prefer (whether to give, or receive).

You can certainly change the fluid, and that is intuitively a good thing to do, but the statistics show that it very often leads to a premature failure. That is why many of us won't do transmission fluid changes, we have seen too many failures from doing them. There are not a history of failures from burnt fluid (like transmission used to fail, back 20 years ago). Fluid colour is not an indicator either.

Some of us believe very strongly in preventative maintenance, and do it on other components, it is just that a BMW automatic doesn't lend itself to preventative maintenance.

Hope that helps.