[wunmagikalpinoy]

i have an 08 e92 335i automatic transmission... When driving under high load conditions (uphill, spirited, etc) I SOMETIMES get the transmission malfunction light on the screen. The gear drops out of gear into a lower gear then goes into limp mode. This has happened about 3 times within the past 6 months. I would pull over turn off the car then turn it back on then everything would be back to normal. Everything shifts normal and then ill try to replicate the problem then nothing. Has anybody else experienced this problem?

I dont drive the car hard too often but sometimes its scary trying to go up a steep hill on the freeway for fear of having it drop a gear and throw the light then ill be stuck. Ive searched but i havent seen any threads with the same symptoms as mine..

[fazi13]

well, if its thrown a code and you're still under warranty just take it to the dealer. That's what the warranties for! the dealer should be able to look up the code stored by the car and fix it for you no charge.

[07lilredwagon]

Sounds like it needs a servicing, with filter and fluid change...that should fix your issue, unless its something more.....

JP

[wunmagikalpinoy]

update:

took the car to stevens creek BMW here in san jose and they told me im going to need a new transmission. uhhh??? apparently the internal gear are slipping.. 7k to fix...

i was told they checked fluids. checked the programming etc. Im taking it to a local indy shop for a second opinion. this does not sound correct to me. car just rolled 70k miles.

[DZheng]

Yes thats the sign that its needs new transmission. My old prelude limped at a stop and i sold the car right before. How many miles? Like my old prelude the last owner drove it hard. Now i drive my car easy because i know its a pain in the ass if the trany goes out

[TheTal0n]

Wow how many miles on it? Have you had a transmission leak like the mechatronic sleeve?

[ritjeff]

Originally Posted by wunmagikalpinoy

i have an 08 e92 335i automatic transmission... When driving under high load conditions (uphill, spirited, etc) I SOMETIMES get the transmission malfunction light on the screen. The gear drops out of gear into a lower gear then goes into limp mode. This has happened about 3 times within the past 6 months. I would pull over turn off the car then turn it back on then everything would be back to normal. Everything shifts normal and then ill try to replicate the problem then nothing. Has anybody else experienced this problem?

I dont drive the car hard too often but sometimes its scary trying to go up a steep hill on the freeway for fear of having it drop a gear and throw the light then ill be stuck. Ive searched but i havent seen any threads with the same symptoms as mine..

One of my older BMWs did this when low on fluid. Hope that's the same for you.

[n54gte]

hell no dont pay 7k. check out level 10 rebuilt transmissions

At 70k its probably the mechatronics unit inside the transmission that needs to be rebuilt, level10 can do this for less then 1k, I would contact them and see what they can do for you.

[fun2drive]

First and foremost the cheapest path is to drain and refill with LifeGuard 6 or Mercon SP. I have found that BMW techs get interrupted at times and fail to correctly fill the transmission. Also this transmission level is checked engine running in park and opening the fill plug. Fluid should weap out. If not it is low.
I would have an indy do that since it is the cheapest path.
If you don't have a transmission leak and the level is correct then a failing transmission is possible but a drain and refill is inexpensive.
Good luck and please post what is discovered...

You could try that, the kit is around $240 for everything you need Pan/Gasket/Filter 6 Liters of ZF Lifeguard6, and I posted where to get it and fluid change procedure direct from ZF in this thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=849934

That doesn't work, look into the mechatronics unit rebuilding, also reach out to BMW, they might help you good will since your only 20k out of warranty, the transmission shouldn't fail that early period.


With all the steep hills in SF I would be paranoid to drive the car anywhere in that state.

[princealways200]

OP - Any further updates to your issue ?

[Ricky30597]

Same things happening to me

[wunmagikalpinoy]

sorry for the late response. i went on vacation immediately after this incident. i have resolved the problem but it was very BAD NEWS. Transmission indeed need replacing.

i took it to a couple indy shops around my area. all without telling them the previous persons diagnosis of the problem. They all came to the same conclusion after fluid changes, road tests, driving with a OBD computer hooked up, and finally tearing apart the tranny.

It cost me about 2k with install and 1 year parts and labor warranty. Another 2k down the drain for me.

I reached out to BMW and i didnt even receive an email back. so there goes that. with 70k on the odo and about 5k in failing parts i am genuinely disappointed in BMW and this car.

[Hoooper]

I assume the "lifetime" fluid had not been changed before this?

[pogi333]

My fellow kababayan, I know this is an old thread but I am having the same exact transmission problems you have experienced. I have a 2008 335 coupe and my transmission randomly slips into low gear, I get a transmission light and I must pull over to restart. This happened at least 10 times since August and the dealer diagnosed and said I needed a new transmission.

I am hoping to have my transmission replaced at an indie shop and would like to know how your car has been doing since replacement. Is your car running perfectly now? Any feedback or input would be greatly appreciated!