Automatic Transmission
 

1) How much does this usually cost to replace? I want to save up for it because I know it's going to happen. I have 120k now on a 2001 3.0

2) Anyone know of any good shops in Northern VA?

Just preparing for the worst.. and I have not changed my transmission fluid. I see people do it and their transmission fails anyways so i'm just going to ride it out.

However, you should take a look at this thread....

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...good-news.html

4-6k?
Why the hell does it cost that much?
Car is only worth 9k

I'm sure someone else can chime in as to why exactly a transmission costs the amount that it does.

I might as well sell the car then while I still can. I was expecting 2-3k.

I've got mine rebuilt for around $ 5000 canadians....I should've bought a rebuilt one and get it installed,because I am not completely satisfied,not all the parts were swapped,sometimes I can feel some shudder ,less but still present.
Tranny is under the warranty,so I am still waiting for it to fail and bring it back to the shop.

Aimster, good question about the tranny (cost) as I have a 2003 3.0 with the GM tranny in it. i live in Upstate NY and can't find anyone who will rebuild. mine is fine but as you stated i am trying to get an idea so i can save as well. i did find on the web these guys and they gave the below quote

"We can remanufacture your exiting transmission in the 2003 BMW.
Your cost is 5L40 cost to you is $1604.00. would be best to build your core to ensure compatibility. Let me know if you would like to proceed and I can get a freight quote. This unit will have a 12 month warranty and be dyno tested before leaving the factory."


They are drivetrain.com

i do not anything about them. I have not proceeded as mine still works but with a $100 shipping cost and the local Indy shop saying its about 8-10 hours to drop and reinstall at a cost of about $600 - $800, I am looking at ~$2600 to get mine rebuilt. post if find any other places that rebuild on the web.

Mine was $4200 rebuilt at 132K miles a few years ago. Ended up having it rebuilt again a year later under shop's warranty - this was about 8 months after being rear-ended pretty hard so not sure if that caused issues with the new tranny. Still didn't get it right after a few tries, so they started from scratch and thus far it seems to be doing ok.

I justified the cost of the tranny by (1) I love the vehicle and (2) its paid for, so I am not making monthly payments on it.

Aimster...its not going to be cheap..So if 4 -5k isn't going to work for you. I say sell it now before its too late..

So, would you (and anyone "in the know" on here) plan in the same way for a 2005 X5, 4.4 with 97k miles on it? As I near 100k, as much as I enjoy my X, I am seriously debating selling it, and going back to a 2003-2004 Toyota Land Cruiser. The X's only other problems til now have been the oil valve part and hoses leaking (being fixed tomorrow). I just don't want to save or spend $4-5k on a transmission when that money could be applied to the tank-like (albeit less agile - understatement, more reliable) Land Cruiser.