Drove into Bristol today that car was okay but sounded a little louder than normal. I assumed this was possibly an exhaust problem and was going to check when I got home. About a mile from where I was going the dash displays a yellow cog next to the auto gearbox display and the car will not change gear - feels like when you have to slip a clutch to get a manual moving. Now, knowing that auto gearboxes are expensive, do I dare move it? Assuming I can get it to a repairer, what’re my chances that I will need a gearbox flush vs a reconditioned gearbox?
2004, 330i BMW E46 Touring. It’s already had a Megaflush at 70k and is now at 117k.
Oh. You're not going to want to Google e46 autoboxes 🙁 we got shot of our 330i auto as the torque converter stopped properly locking up (even worse fuel consumption than normal, flare of revs when applying throttle even at high speed cruise) and we feared what has happened to you. Have to be honest dude, it may be terminal, it's the torque converter and related solenoids that crap out iirc.
Oh dear 🙁
The only positive thing I can offer is that you’ll be convenient for Bristol Transmissions - https://www.bristoltransmissions.co.uk/
Isn't 117k a bit low for terminal problems on an auto box that's been looked after?
(Says he on a 137k box that he's hoping for another 50k out of)
My BW T5 auto went just before Christmas in London. Got towed back and then needed a new gear box. I used Gloucester Road Gearboxes. Rang around loads of places to try and get a better price, including ones from eBay. No luck so they did the work. Came to £3500 inc VAT!!! It made me cry....
It’s a difficult one. I did the oil change on my E46 330i box. BMW say it’s sealed for life and there is a thought that changing the fluid can just cause them to fail sooner. But it is a well respected ZF (?) box and should last longer than 120k
It’s only sealed for life in Europe. In the US there’s a maintenance schedule for the box.
