Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-08-2012, 05:20 PM
bigfish's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 234
bigfish is on a distinguished road
HELP my transmission is dead... replacing it VS. repairing it...

Hello all,

A sad day has set on my household... The transmission in 03' X5 4.6is is almost dead (slipped 7 times yesterday, then banged into gear). I love this X5 and I'm going to keep it for many years to come. I'm looking for advice on the best way to approach fixing the problem.

I need input on repairing the exsisting transmission (I can't seem to find anyone in CA willing or knowledgeable enough to take on this project) or opting for a remanufactured unit (I have not heard great things about going this route).

So anyone who has gone either route I could really use your input!

Thanks in advance,

TB
CA
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 08-09-2012, 12:23 AM
Wired.Right's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 15
Wired.Right is on a distinguished road
Call Victor. 1 (650) 369-3022

http://www.bensautotech.com/
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-09-2012, 12:44 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 295
bastereo is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfish View Post
I need input on repairing the exsisting transmission (I can't seem to find anyone in CA willing or knowledgeable enough to take on this project) or opting for a remanufactured unit (I have not heard great things about going this route).
Well, in my experience that is backwards.

I have had much better luck and results with remanufactured transmissions vs. local rebuilds.
You will pay more, but remanufactured transmissions typically carry a 3 yr/100,000 mile warranty.

And if you haven't found someone to rebuild yours, you haven't made enough phone calls.
But, my local rebuilds (not BMW or ZF transmissions) never felt quite like new afterwards, nothing in particular wrong, just off.
Heck, my parents had a transmission rebuilt 5 times by the same guy, under warranty, but 5 times in as many years...


I would search around, find a reputable source for a remanufactured transmission. Make sure it comes with a good warranty. Just be willing to fork over some extra cash.
Heck, even BMW will sell you a good reman trans at only a slightly higher price, and its warrantied by BMW nation wide. (and you can have someone else install it to avoid the high labor rate)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-09-2012, 12:46 AM
TwinTurboGTR's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Monmouth County, Nj
Posts: 1,718
TwinTurboGTR is on a distinguished road
Well you already know the handoffs. If you are capable to rebuild it yourself, have the tools, etc, then you can do it. If you take it into a shop, you need to realize a shop is only going to FIX the problem. Meaning if you have a problem with the clutches, only the clutches will be fixed. But they won't touch the valves, body, etc.

If you buy a reman, it's a toss up. Reman means a lot of different things. Sometimes they take everything out and get replace everything within the trans, TC, and Valve Body. Sometimes it means they replace the dead part and shine it up.

I would ask questions about how they plan to go about it and then make your decision.
__________________
2011 E70 50i M Sport


Exterior: Alpine Weiss III Interior: Nevada

PACKAGES: .
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-09-2012, 05:03 AM
motordavid's Avatar
RetiredBum & Semi-RenaissanceMan
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mtns of Western NC, & SW FLA
Posts: 16,823
motordavid will become famous soon enoughmotordavid will become famous soon enough
Agree w/TwinTurbo: "remanufactured" and "factory" remanufactured are two of the most misused and vague terms in car parts, imo...right behind 'oem'.

And, an auto trans rebuilder that has quality techs and know their stuff can 'fix' the OP's trans as good as any 'reman' or 'factory reman'.

Auto trans repair, its 'levels', quality, warranties, and cost is right up there with shopping for private health insurance in the US, imo...
GL, mD
__________________
Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page




Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-09-2012, 03:20 PM
TwinsPoppa's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 3,523
TwinsPoppa is on a distinguished road
When I looked into getting a remanufactured tranny for a 4.8, getting one through the dealer was not that much more expensive than from a local tranny shop. The installation labor was also only slightly higher than the local shop. So, if I were to go remanufactured, I would go through the dealer.

If you can't find a place that you have confidence to locally rebuild your tranny then you have no choice I guess.

IIRC I thought it was 2 year warranty with the dealer and 3 year with the local. Maybe I mixed it up.

Also, I think the main difference between rebuilt vs reman is that reman are tested for a certain period before it goes out. I guess most shops can't test your rebuilt tranny until AFTER its been reinstalled already on your vechicle.

Last edited by TwinsPoppa; 08-09-2012 at 03:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-09-2012, 09:44 PM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
Reman means brought back to new spec, under very controlled conditions. It may or may not be tested but most are. It isn't your transmission, it is an exchange. If it is from a reputable source it is better than a rebuild. I would only buy a ZF reman if I decided to go reman. That is what BMW sells, they don't reman them themselves. I would go to a dealer, then, if I wanted a reman. It is faster as well.

If I wanted a repair it would be because my core was in good shape and had a specific problem. I would do it myself, but if I paid for a repair it would be from a shop familiar with that specific ZF transmission.

If both suppliers are equally reputable, then the reman is a more complete repair. It may not be necessary, depending on the specific problem.

If you are dealing with non reputable suppliers, all bets are off.
__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver

2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Last edited by JCL; 08-09-2012 at 09:55 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-09-2012, 09:45 PM
TwinTurboGTR's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Monmouth County, Nj
Posts: 1,718
TwinTurboGTR is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by JCL View Post
Reman means brought back to new spec, under very controlled conditions. It may or may not be tested but most are. It isn't your transmission, it is an exchange. If it is from a reputable source it is better than a rebuild. I would only buy a ZF reman. That is what BMW sells, they don't reman them themselves. I would go to a dealer if I wanted a reman. It is faster.

If I wanted a repair it would be because my core was in good shape and had a specific problem. I would do it myself, but if I paid for a repair it would be from a shop familiar with that specific ZF transmission.

If both suppliers are equally reputable, then the reman is a more complete repair. It may not be necessary, depending on the specific problem.

If you are dealing with non reputable suppliers, all bets are off.

Bingo!!!
__________________
2011 E70 50i M Sport


Exterior: Alpine Weiss III Interior: Nevada

PACKAGES: .
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-11-2012, 12:10 AM
Sterling 4.4's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 231
Sterling 4.4 is on a distinguished road
Bigfish - how any miles in the trans? How many miles with the Supercharger?
__________________
Dinan CAI, TB, Camber Plates, Strut Bar, Software, Exhaust, Style 87 (summer), Style 89 (winter)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-11-2012, 12:49 AM
bigfish's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 234
bigfish is on a distinguished road
miles on trany & charger....

Believe it or not 192k on trans! around 180k on charger, I just had it rebuilt(seals, bearings & impeller) by Vortec in January... also had them polish it up & it turned out super bootylicious... I tried to attach pic's but for some reason I can't from my iPad?!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
e53, slipping, torque converter, transmissions, x5 4.6is

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:52 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.