Transmission HELP 4.6is
 

So I finally got the X back after 4 months of engine work due to the shop nightmare and all was good....

Until...

The day after I got the car back and it was running as good as new or even better....I got the TRANS FAIL SAFE warning while in my neighborhood. So I limped it home and parked it.

It did reset enough for me to get it to the dealership as the transmission only has 35,000 miles on it. It was replaced in August of 2010 with 145,000 miles on it and now just hit 180,000. Of course the two year warranty is out but with only 35,000 miles I wanted the dealer to look at it first. The first transmission made it 145,000 miles so this one should last more than 35,000.

So the dealer calls me yesterday and says it is pulling all kinds of slippage codes and that BMW will not let them repair or rebuild the transmissions and that they can only replace it.

Seems odd to me but he was letting me know it could probably be repaired but he could not do it. Based on the fact it is an 02 and I just put $2500 in it I know the new transmission will cost more than the dang thing is almost worth.

I need some advice and I know the codes would help, but I know I have read enough on this site that these are repaired all the time.

Anyone's thoughts?

Car has the following:

New Heads
New Lifters
New Plugs
New Coil Packs
New Timing Chains
New Gaskets
New Fuel Pump
New Read Air Bags
New Rear Brakes
New Overflow Tank

I guess I can sell it as it but I owe some on it and put money into it because I was going to keep it. Guess I could just get what I owe and walk away if I have to as I know somoene can fix it. Car is way too nice to not get fixed.

Thanks,

Shawn

Sorry to hear about about all your troubles :(

The only way to find out what really is going on is to drop that trans pan and check out the oil... if it's burnt, then it was "overheated".. if there is heavy particulate, then it was beat up.

or it could always be electronic "mechtronic" issues... any chance you can get a DIS/INPA output?

I have asked the dealership for the codes and what they pulled from the diagnostics. I have not heard back yet but presume since I am paying for it I should be able to get them.

It sounds like the internal pressure is leaking and as the engine rev higher the pressure builds to the point that the trans just slams into gear.

See this posting on a similar problem:

http://www.xoutpost.com/953440-post87.html

If it were me I would do a trans service to it with OEM BMW parts and see what happens. Also clean the electronic connectors that plug in the trans and spray them with WD-40.

That's knowing it's not your alternator or anything else that might have went bad.

The trans could be bad but from what your saying it may not be likely. It really depends on who rebuilt the trans and if they used oem parts. Aftermarket trans filters collapse and cause the car not to shift...had that happen on 7 series. It sounds like the dealer does not want to fix someone else's mistakes....no way I would ever put a new transmission in. If it is the trans I would find a used trans from Bavauto in Cal.

Dealers do not rebuild trans, they only install rebuilt trans. If you want your trans rebuilt you need to find an authorized trans rebuilder for your trans.

Authorized BMW trans repairs:

BMW Repair by Dose BMW Service in El Cajon, CA | Bimmershops.com

scrolled down to bottom of web page to find by cities and states.

Wow bro,' you are having one helluva bad luck streak with that thing, sorry about that. Well here's my take on the matter,

1. First don't fall into the "it's too nice not to fix" money pit, it's already slowly draining your bank account and running up your credit cards.

2. It's just a car, there are plenty of other vehicles on the market that will give you just as much joy without breaking the bank to own one. As we say in the car business, "it's just a piece of metal"'

3. I'm in the same boat as you, my 4.6is is sitting in my garage since late November with broken timing chain guides, along with the usual X5 problems I've had since I bought it. I'm trying to decide whether to sell it as is or fix it and sell it, I'll replace it with one of the following, 1st Gen Jeep GC SRT8, Infiniti FX45 or a Trailblazer SS.

4. How confident are you in the engine repairs down the road? Just saying the words low oil pressure or no oil pressure in an interference engine makes me cringe.

Well that's my 2 cents, as you can see I'm not loyal to any manufacturer, if the produce a POS vehicle I'll drop it like a bad habit...lol!!

Well I got the estimate for repairs from BMW and I must say I laughed out loud.

Transmission $8204
4 Tires $4105 only the rear are close to needing replaced.
Alignment $234
L & R axle boots $1074
Front Brake Job $1057

Total $16051

Since I just did the rear brakes and only need pads on the front I obviously can beat their estimate. Not sure on the axle boots as I have not looked into it. I have already shopped the tires and since i have a friend that owns a tire shop I can replace all 4 for almost 75% less than they quoted.

Still trying to get the records so I can go to BMW of America to see what they will do on the transmission. With only 35,000 miles I would hope they would stand behind their product. If not, I have a good transmission shop that already said to bring it to them.

I'm willing to put a little into it but I obviously can put way less than at BMW and still not be upside down on the thing.

Thoughts?

Have both front outer CV boots done by an indy for $500.00 parts and labor. When they remove the trans they will have to remove the axle off the front diff, so it will be cheaper to have that done at the same time.

Total $16051

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I almost threw up after reading that!!