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!

To KingSimon:

Can you give me names of those transmission shop? I might need it soon.

Here's the latest in my drama. My Indy BMW Mechanic took the car for a ride today he doesn't think the transmission is bad even though I'm having all these problems. he thinks the trans fluid is not flowing the way it is supposed to. on Tuesday he wants to put it on the lift and pull the pan. he said there are tests they can do...

Question; I have the GM transmission he says that one is a problem. I asked what he meant and he said to wait til he pulls the pan. So I wait, wondering will I spend $600 or $2500... What makes the GM trans a problem?

I also have a guy in the BX that is great with tranny's. He did my E30 tranny swap and about 3 weeks ago rebuilt my tranny for 2k. so paying 4k or even 3k is ridiculous.

Hey many thanks for this forum. It has saved me a lot of money so far and it looks like it will save me another $1000 just for putting the question out there... If it needs a tranny then I will go with having mine rebuilt.

I,ve probably saved $4000 in the last 18 months in repair bills between all the DIY's and the advice about what to fix.:thumbup:

I'm not far from you. If you don't mind me asking, who's your indy BMW mechanic?

Zygmunt Motors, Doylestown, Pa Specialize in BMW for over 50 yrs.

Nothing really. The same could be said about the ZF transmission under the same circumstances. The reason why you have a GM is because you have the 3.0L engine while the ZF is found on the 4.4L and larger engine e53 models.

He's waiting to drop the pan to see whats in the fluid. It's a start in determining if your transmission is toast or still ticking.

Interesting. Since I posted that I did a Google search on the GM Trans (in the X5 application). And most comments were that the GM Trans was as good or might even be better than the ZF... so, I don't really know why my Mechanic said that.

thanks!

The transmission is almost the same as the one found in the Cadillac CTS, SRX, and one other model. Those have been pretty reliable transmissions. The only small issue is the valve bodies on these transmissions do wear down and usually need to be replaced or refurbished at some point if you plan on keeping it for a long time.