N55 2011 X5 Transmission failure at 51K miles

[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

[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

[ard]

Originally Posted by 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

Having grown up traversing NJ once or twice a week, I try to avoid it now.


Glad it helped.


I didnt do the sleeve on my first ATF change at 60k, but will do it at 120k.



For me, if it were to fail at some point, its a few hours of my own work.
If you are paying, its a bit more painful.


And here is the really tough part- there isnt a code (or symptom) that pops up to say 'the mechatronics sleeve is leaking- change it'. You may get some odd trans behaviours, and you'll be in that weird "I just changed the ATF 3 months ago, maybe redo it and change the sleeve this time?" position....


Lots of folks havent changed it. Id lean towards replacement if it has never been done and you are pushing 75- 100k

[edco]

Ard
I think I’m going to take your advice and stick with the parts I expect Tues.
First, I just turned 51K miles so not even close to those numbers.
There is no slippage or noises other than what I mentioned in my first post.
I really don’t think I even need to do this and despite earlier comments, I’ve been beyond satisfied with this Indy for 20 years.

Re: NJ It’s actually a beautiful state except certain cities like Newark, Camden, Trenton. We got beat up by Superstorm Sandy, but the shore is back to being great. If you enjoy the beach and the water, there are no syringes on the beach,
just higher and higher taxes. Thus, we hope to spend Christmas 2020 in the Carolinas enjoying retirement and our 3 grand kids.

Thanks again
Ed