[CraigUK]

How reliable are the latest 6 speed auto geaboxes? From what I've read online I get the impression that they aren't as relaible as you would think. Has anyone here had any issues with their auto gearbox?

The reason I ask is that I've got a 2006 320D M Sport with auto box. I've had the car for four years and love it, couldn't ask for anything better for a good blend of performance, tax, insurance and economy. The car now has 62000 miles on it which is still reasonably low and is still running well. At the moment other that the new 3 tourer which is over a year away or a new 5 tourer which at the moment are just out of my price range there is nothing else that I would want to replace it with. I don't want an LCI E91 as they will be replaced too soon and will be old hat. I like to keep my car for around 3-5 years.

Ideally I would like to keep hold of the car for another couple of years and then get a new 3 or 5. My concern is that by that time I'll be clocking on to 100,000 miles or maybe more and am worried that I may end up with big bills like turbo or gearbox. When you consider the price of either of those changing car early sounds appealing. Problem is as mentioned there is nothing worth changing to at the moment IMO.

[Bungle009]

Ive not heard of many gearbox issues. Turbo's, yes. Not Gearbox issues.

[ZURICH]

2006 320d M Sport. 135,000 on the clock, new turbo at 100,000 Injectors at 130,000 but no Gearbox problems, still sweet as a nut and no other problems.

[dopper99]

Nowt wrong with the LCI.
Dont be fooled in thinking its just a few subtle body changes at the back and front. They have really sorted the suspension and turned the Three into the car it should have been.
I had a 2006 330d M-Sport for over 2 years and the suspension improvement in the LCI is well worth it. It was really my only main gripe about the pre-LCI car and the suspension being so harsh. Big improvement with the LCI.
If you went for a LCI, you also have scope for going for a more powerful engine - if you fancied a change. The effecient dynamics engines are pretty economical.

[moar]

They're ZF and better than the GM conterpart.

Do look up on the ZF lurch, thats my only complaint.

[dxb335d]

Never had an issue with mine, which included over 150 full bore standing starts at the drag strip.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

.... over 150 full bore standing starts at the drag strip.

Bloody hell no wonder you got good 1/4 mile times. Were you there every weekend?

[moar]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Never had an issue with mine, which included over 150 full bore standing starts at the drag strip.

TBQFH can't see any real issue drag racing an autobox...what strain is there going to be that isn't within the parameters of the box?

I think engine mounts are more likely to be a worry !

[chris_s1]

Replacing a gearbox doesn't have to be a huge bill. Of course BMW will quote you a huge figure to have the work done at a dealership with a brand new box but on a 5+ year old car why would you do that?

I had the gearbox fail on my M3 earlier in the year, its a 2004 car with 80k on it. BMW quoted over £5k for the job but I just bought a used 'box for £350 and paid my local BMW indy £300 to fit it. Been fine ever since.

[moar]

Originally Posted by chris_s1

Replacing a gearbox doesn't have to be a huge bill. Of course BMW will quote you a huge figure to have the work done at a dealership with a brand new box but on a 5+ year old car why would you do that?

I had the gearbox fail on my M3 earlier in the year, its a 2004 car with 80k on it. BMW quoted over £5k for the job but I just bought a used 'box for £350 and paid my local BMW indy £300 to fit it. Been fine ever since.

It's risk assessment though, that used box could be 50 miles away from getting knackered or could be 100,000 miles away from getting knackered.

There is potential there to quite litearlly chuck away £700!

When that cost could easily be put towards a complete rebuild of a box.

For rebuilding I can recommend Transfix in Barnsley who did my E39 and driver transmission in Bham who did the E46.

DT was cheaper, around £1250 and T was £1850.

[chris_s1]

Well its not that high risk if you know the history of the car it came from, ie you are buying a 'box with known low mileage and no faults.

You can replace the gearbox 2 or 3 times over for the price of getting it rebuilt, that's a risk I am definately willing to take - and you won't be without the car for ages whilst they do it.

[coopersim]

Mine was changed by BMW after a fault from standing cold (STONE cold) where it wouldn't take up drive quickly. This seems to be an issue only with 325d Autos from other peoples experiences.

[rsmallwo]

You could get your gearbox serviced???

I've got my 335d booked in today for a gearbox service. BMW say its a sealed for life box but my local indy says the ZF guy says its hsould be serviced every 20k miles :0

Mines got 84k on it and has no issues at the moment. The gearbox services on mine costs £380 and it replaces the tranny oil (70% of it) and the tranny oil filter/sump/gasket.

My cars 5 years old and I'm looking for it to last me another 3 years at least and still be the beast she is now.

My car was remapped 2 years ago at 63k.

[moar]

Originally Posted by rsmallwo

You could get your gearbox serviced???

I've got my 335d booked in today for a gearbox service. BMW say its a sealed for life box but my local indy says the ZF guy says its hsould be serviced every 20k miles :0

Mines got 84k on it and has no issues at the moment. The gearbox services on mine costs £380 and it replaces the tranny oil (70% of it) and the tranny oil filter/sump/gasket.

I can't see any ZF guy saying every 20k, sounds like utter rubbish.

60k yes, even 100k, even 50k, but 20k, not a chance.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Bloody hell no wonder you got good 1/4 mile times. Were you there every weekend?

I did go a lot yes

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by moar

TBQFH can't see any real issue drag racing an autobox...what strain is there going to be that isn't within the parameters of the box?

I think engine mounts are more likely to be a worry !

I wasn't just pulling away, I was launching the car by brake boosting...

If that's not gonna strain anything then nothing will and no one will ever have problems.

[Falmouthboy]

I believe that the GM boxes in some 4 cyl petrol cars are not that good in terms of performance, and there have been issues with the early versions of the new 8 speed boxes in the latest cars.

The 'bread and butter' 6 speed BMW auto is very good and strong.

[dxb335d]

I agree, it is very strong. Was very well matched to the 335d.

[dmt335d]

My e46 330d gearbox went. The revs seemed to oscillate at certain speeds. I took it to an indy that informed me it was on its way out.

That was the 5spd GM gearbox, apparently used in quite a few 30d bm's. I was advised on a gearbox oil service but unfortunately it made no difference.

My friend who also had a 330d at the time had two gearboxes in his. Both replaced by BMW on goodwill claims.

I've not read of too many issues with the 335d gearbox so fingers crossed ZF know what they're doing.

I'm pretty sure i read somewhere, ZF make gearboxes for quite a few car manufacturers so they're pretty well proven.

[rsmallwo]

Originally Posted by moar

I can't see any ZF guy saying every 20k, sounds like utter rubbish.

60k yes, even 100k, even 50k, but 20k, not a chance.

I did say to him that seemed excessive, the guy just said thats what he was told. took this with a pinch of salt and hence my car has 84k on it and its getting done now.

also, no point getting your gearbox serviced when its got a problem, damage has already been done. It only helps to prevent problems. some say it feels smoother after, sounds psychosomatic to me.