N55 2011 X5 Transmission failure at 51K miles

[ard]

Originally Posted by edco

Hi
Yeah the OE vs OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) confused me a little.
I'm assuming (dangerous) that OEM part comes in a BMW BOX OR BAG with a BMW part number.
OE (Original Equipment) is made by the same vendor as OEM so same build quality but no BMW pn affixed. Frequently I have found this in water pumps. All come off the same assembly line One becomes BMW, one becomes VDO
Am I close?
Didn't see anything in your signature
Thanks
ed

lol
my bad, forgot this is xoutpost!




your defintion is EXACTLY opposite.



https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/member.php?u=159669

OE is Original Equipment aka 'BMW Original Parts' aka 'What you buy at the BMW dealer with a BMW label'

OEM is Original Equipment Manufacturer... EITHER the company that made the OE part or.... A part this is identical to the OE part, but is sold by the OEM under their own label


OEM is not what BMW sells


http://www.bimmerzone.com/category/T...ricks_OEM.html

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-OEvsOEM

Finally, there are relatively few parts where the OE/OEM distinction is utterly without merit. Where buying a BMW part or a ZF part is a waste of money. The trans pan and filter is one- it is literally ONLY the logo you are buying- it isnt like there is a different QA process or other hidden issue. Likewise with fluid. In fact, I think BWM sells the ZF6 fluid in a ZF bottle, just doubles the price.


Spark plugs are another- BMW gets NGK to put BMW on the box, price triples.



Unlike brake parts; suspension components, alternators, pumps....for many of those the OEM/OE differences become much murkier.

GL!

[edco]

Hi Ard,
I owe you a meal, an "adult" beverage or BOTH when/if you come to NJ.
I brought the print out from FCPEuro to my Indy.
Told him I was buying the OE kit (as indicated on the FCP page) which included the pan/filter, replacement one time use bolts, and 7 qts of BMW approved trans fluid for the low, low price of $281.92. Then I simply said, "I'd still like you to do the labor" which he estimated at 2 hours at $110 ph.

So from close to $1,000 I ended up at about $500... thanks to your 'splainin!

According to their delivery schedule, I paid the extra $7.99 to have it here by Tues-Wed of next week, since I am on the schedule for Thursday.

One question remains. If you go to YouTube, there is a DIY "How to service a BMW E70 X5 Transmission". In the video, the author also pulls out the mechatronic (sp?) unit out in order to replace the "Bridge Seal". My Indy advised AGAINST removing the mechatronic unit to replace the bridge seal, so I did not order it. Do the bridge seals truly fail and is it worth another hour's worth of labor to apparently get some additional fluid that seemed to seep out when he removed the mechatronic unit?

My offer for drink and food is good for about a year, then you'll have to come to SC when we move next spring.

Thank you again!

ed in sweaty NJ

[Zulu95]

I would say your guys are not so great!
The kit for 3.0L Xdrive35i is under $300 plus labor.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-24118612901kt

[edco]

Except when I put in my VIN, FCPEuro states “This is not for your X5”.
Thanks for the help, but maybe I’ll send you my VIN and see if you get a different answer

Much appreciated!!!!
Ed

FOLLOW UP: There is no place to put the VIN on the FCP site when ordering, you just get the pull down menus, so I sent FCP an email with the VIN. Will let you know what they say

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by edco

Except when I put in my VIN, FCPEuro states “This is not for your X5”.
Thanks for the help, but maybe I’ll send you my VIN and see if you get a different answer

Much appreciated!!!!
Ed

FOLLOW UP: There is no place to put the VIN on the FCP site when ordering, you just get the pull down menus, so I sent FCP an email with the VIN. Will let you know what they say

If you look at the fitment chart. Your 2011 35i is listed. Lots of BMW's use that ZF trans.

Your shop is definitely on the high side. Had my '05 x5 4.4i done for ~$500 all in at an indy. Not the exact same engine, but prices for the service kits and labor should be similar. Still a ZF trans.

[edco]

Thanks for the feedback.
I THINK the difference is my Indy only uses OEM parts. In fact, I’m the only customer that he lets buy and bring using my BMWCCA discount oem parts.
I cannot tell from the FCP listing if they are OEM or not (sometimes they sell kits with OEM parts for more than whatever vendor they source from) so I asked if any of the parts were OEM.

I will say that since I sent a note to FCP they have sent 3 replies that they have received my email and will reply tomorrow. (OK guys I got you)

Anyway, as I began this story, and my Indy quoted me $800 or so for parts alone, tomorrow I will visit my local friendly BMW dealer just to ask what the “kit” would cost. Even if it’s double FCP that’s still not $800.

Thanks again all,
Ed in hot NJ

[josiahg52]

I'm assuming you mean OE parts? OE parts are typically more expensive than OEM and OE are the parts you get from the dealer.

Anyway, my dealer dropped the pan, installed a new pan/filter and replaced the lost fluid for $618.84 when I had it done year before last. I just didn't see the value or savings doing it myself. It was worth it to me.

[robnitro]

Yes, the bridge seal sometimes fails and leaks pressure causing issues.
There's 4 other tube seals and the seal for the connector plug too which are recommended if you're doing the bridge seal.


From my fcp order as I did it last weekend. Paste the numbers in search to get the item tip show up.

Open uri20150908 3539 1omcp20 BMW Automatic Transmission Adapter Plug - ZF 24347571211
1
$7.16
Open uri20150716 11984 1bbja4l BMW 25.9mm Mechatronic Sealing Sleeve - ZF 24107519314
2
$5.54
Open uri20140312 16226 ttk7tv BMW Mechatronics Sealing Sleeve - ZF 24347588725
1
$14.17
Open uri20150716 11984 1rmpuus BMW Automatic Transmission Valve Body Sealing Sleeve - ZF 24107519315
1
$3.41
Open uri20150716 11984 l2pase BMW Automatic Transmission Valve Body Sealing Sleeve - ZF 24107520715

[edco]

Rob:
I'm getting responses from FCPEuro that the valve sleeves will not fit me car for the numbers you provided (thank you, btw). When I look up my car in REALOEM I GET: X5 E70 LCI X5 35iX Automatic transmission GA8HP45Z - AWD

Does this mean it is NOT A ZF?

VIN: L413628

Everything else seems right but the clock is tick if I am going to have these by Tues/Wed.

Anyone able to decipher the right pns and help an old grandpa out?

Thanks
ed

[robnitro]

I got those parts when I looked at the sleeves on thectsc website. 6hp26 and 28 are the same w these sleeves. 6hp19/21 use different looking ones.
I searched the zf part numbers on fcp and ordered those.
They have some kit with sleeves for the 26 but not sure if those part numbers match.