[The_Bear_Yid]

After nearly a year of ownership, the only two things that I could really fault with my car was 1, getting in and out of the back seats (which I rarely do) and 2, 2nd gear - always seemed a bit stiff/clunky and hard to make a smooth change. I had told my local dealer about it before when they had it (speaker replaced iirc) and they said nothing was wrong. So I put up with it since, although it always bugged me slightly.

Upon coming up to a years AUC ownership, I received the warranty renewal letter. Tbh I was in two minds, as I didn't want to pay for it and never have any problems acknowledged. They'd been good with the speaker, but that's minor compared to a gearbox, and it's parts like that what you want the warranty for. So I decided to send it in one last time before the warranty ran out, explaining to the bookings lady that if I was told there was nothing wrong I probably wouldn't be renewing the warranty. I said I was happy for it to be left overnight so they could start from cold, and dropped it off that evening.

In the afternoon the next day I still hadn't heard anything, so decided to call the dealer and told the guy was on lunch and would call me back once he was off it. An hour or so later I get a call saying that it needs a new gearbox, they don't stock it but there's one left in the country for it and if they get it, it will be ready the next afternoon.

It was, and I've not long picked the car up. I'm hoping the 'box beds in better than it feels atm. The guy in the service dept. said there wasn't much wrong. So I asked why was it replaced and he said that the mechanic felt a slight problem with second. Oh and that the bill would've been about £3500 (I can't remember if he said 3400 or 3600 but close enough). Ouch.

So needless to say the warranty has just been renewed. That's my short story/warning to anyone in two minds about renewing!

[Dr Dave]

Can't see how they've got the gearbox authorised if there "wasn't much wrong with it"

Are you certain they've replaced it??

[The_Bear_Yid]

Yeah, now all the gears feel pap? Lol.

[Dr Dave]

Maybe they've just filled the gearbox with thick EP140 oil and some sawdust??

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Maybe they've just filled the gearbox with thick EP140 oil and some sawdust??

You're so cynical Dave.

I bet the Bears out on the drive with the car jacked up,torch in hand making sure the box looks new

Nice bit of bunce for the dealer on the warranty work though,I guess their service work has taken a dip recently.

[225_AB]

But for everyone who has had a big claim there will be lots of people who haven't had a claim, hence insurance companies make a profit. It all depends on your attitude to risk, insurance and your personal circumstances.

[The_Bear_Yid]

Lol at Dave and HotCoupe.

I don't see why they'd lie. I think it suits them to do warranty work now as it boosts their figures so close to the end of the year.

Like I said, I hope it beds in better.

[NotNormal]

I had this problem, I had a software update (my request) and adaption value reset.....smooth as eggs now

[The_Bear_Yid]

Is yours an auto though?

[NotNormal]

Yes, it's an auto.....I'm guessing from your reply that yours is a manual ?!

[The_Bear_Yid]

Yeah.

[MERLIN335i]

Originally Posted by The_Bear_Yid

Yeah, now all the gears feel pap? Lol.

Sorry to piss on your parade, BUT nobody gets a "New" gearbox, doesn't matter whether you car is under manufacturer's warranty, extended warranty, or you walk into the parts department and give them a fortune.

What you get is a "Re-Manufactued" box, BMW speak for exchange, re-conditioned, call it what you will. The box may have done 60K, been removed sent back to Getrag etc, stripped, cleaned, replace only what is necessary, put some new oil in, and crate it up.

If you check BMW ETK (says re-manufactured), or speak to a friendly tech, they will confirm. This is why you cannot order internal parts and not for just gearboxes.

This is not to say, that you won't be happy with your new gearbox, at least it went back to the manufacturer and not some local cowboys, hope it solves your problem.

Just thought with the figures being quoted people ought to know what you really get for £3500 !

[The_Bear_Yid]

What parade? Is this a showing off thread? It was meant more of a heads up to people unsure of renewing their warranty.

I can only go by what I'm told, and for the price I can believe its new. But by how it feels I can believe its a recon and it wouldn't surprise me that it being a recon is in the T&Cs.

[Dr Dave]

Also known in the trade as a "Service Exchange" unit.

[coopersim]

My auto box exchange was over £5K, and it was a re-conditioned box - the good news is it comes with a 2 year extended warranty