Transmission buyers beware must read
 

I may need a new/re-manufactured trans for my 2002 x5 3.0 automatic. I called 2 nationwide transmission re-builders for a quote. The first one quoted me $4300 w a 2 yr warranty... I said I was calling to get another quote... he immediately, (without me asking) dropped the price to $3065 :dunno:

then I called another national company, the voice on the other end quoted me $3950 with a 2 yr warranty... I said I had a cheaper quote and he immediately dropped to $2960 with a 2 yr warranty.

Buncha' Crooks out to scam the hard earned cash from the good people of America! Always ask for a discount or a deal, always shop 2 or three suppliers before you buy. Never trust these Bastardos.

I wouldn't blame those businesses. Those people might have to dealt with some customers who always ask for bargains no matter they're offered with a fair price upfront or not. Their practice is to make those customers feel better. This is vicious circle. This is life.

I suppose that they've got their gate to watch and I (we) have ours. I have heard a lot of negative stories about the transmission business... I'm not a pro I'm just a consumer and I may have fallen for those first prices... I dunno. They are still making money.

Simply anecdotally, but a fave bro-in-law owns an Aamco trans joint in North Jersey;
they give the same kind of response to phone in quote lookers. They too, are continually
hit on for discounts, price drops, deals, etc. as a function of today's econ and the way people
shop on price.

He does in-shop rebuilds, re-man units, core (shell) exchanges, etc. He also does about 2 BMW
auto trannies per week, via various methods, and with all kinds/levels of "warranty"...just the
nature of the beast, he says.
Good luck on your hunt for a rebuild trans.
GL, mD

You can have your entire transmission rebuilt for a whole lot cheaper then that. I have quotes around me with like prices ranging from 2200 to 1900. The guy who quoted me for 1900 worked on a lot of other X5s and hes been known in the area to be amazing with BMWs and Audi's and hes giving me a full rebuilt with a 2 year warranty.

Im pretty sure you can find it cheaper then that. keep searching...

You can find a "remanufactured" transmission for as low as 1750. Usually around 2200 with 30 month warranty. If you go to a properly equipped transmission shop, you might be able to repair your problem for even under that. Depending on the actual condition of your tramsmission components, I would always try to stick with the transmission that came with my car unless it were absolutely shot.

TheKing and Charlie, thanks for your input. I was not aware that I could get it rebuilt everyone around here just wants to swap out for a re-manufactured unit. So, I should persist in getting mine rebuilt,huh?

Can anyone from eastern Pa or western/northern New Jersey give me a referral of a shop that does rebuilding of the trans?

Heck yeah! you should go for a rebuilt. Its way cheaper and its honestly all you need to fix those annoying down shift issues etc...

If you decide to come down to NYC i can give you 2 transmission places that are good with X5s, PM me if you need further details.

I live near New Hope, Pa about 75 miles from NYC. So, yeah I would like your referrals. I think the car could make it up there if I had to.

One of my friend always deal with Metric Mechanic. Give them a try!