E38 735i Transmission

Andrew

I/We don't know what was wrong with it, and we don't actually know whats been done to it, it was knackered, and now its working (I'll let you know how it goes, so far so good)

It cost just over �1,000 I believe , including vat, and was done here :

http://www.drivertransmissions.co.uk/index.html

You may also like to have a look at this :

http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=43712&am p;PN=1

Keep us posted please Nigel.

Andrew

Nigel wrote: he managed to get Robert Sterns (our local & very respected main dealer) to do him a half hour diagnostic check. They have rung him today to say the gearbox is just about finished, all they can do is replace it, something like �5,300 incl vat, but they will give him some discount due to the age of the car ???? about a grand off I think he said, making it �4,300

No surprise there then.

BMW dealers cannot do anything to automatic gearboxes.  All they can do is check and top up fluid or sell you a new one which is what they have priced for.  They can't even begin to start repairing a autobox.

It needs to go to an Automatic Transmission Specialist and not a BMW dealer.

Andrew

Rog.

I found this place in Brum, I rang them saturday, they quoted me �875 + vat (not that vat bothers you), and say its possible same day, but two days at the outside :

http://www.drivertransmissions.co.uk/index.html

I used these guys a few years ago for bits, not even sure if they still exist but worth a try.

GCD  Selby
24 High Street
West Cowick

Contact details sent to Nigel by PM.

Quote the BMW 7 Resource.  If you have any luck I supose the only fair thing to do would be to join

http://www.bmw7resource.co.uk/forum/index.php

Nigel wrote: Where did you use for your repair Andrew ?

Mackie Automatic Transmissions Ltd.  95 Causewayside Street, Tollcross, Glasgow, G32 8LT tel 0141 778 4545.

Andrew

Rog

This is the BMW breakers I spoke about on the phone :

http://www.fabdirect.com/default.asp?id=208

they have a tech help page :

http://www.fabdirect.com/faq/?id=82

All we really need to do is find out whats wrong, I'll have a search around for autobox specialists

I had a similar fault on my E39.....and it wasn't cheap!

The tranny goes into an emergency mode which means you only get 3rd and 4th gear and reverse.

You need to take the car by means of a transporter (or rear wheels lifted) to an Automatic Transmission Specialist.

He has the correct diagnostic machines and test machines to check out your tranny, advise you of the fault and then fix it.

Anything else is just guess work.  Given how complex the autoboxes are it isn't diy territory.  Yes they are sealed for life which means there is no dipstick thus no way of filling the tranny nor checking the fluid level.

Do not believe the BMW story about it being sealed for life, as soon as mine is out of warranty it will be going to the Transmission Specialist for a Service which will include, filter replacement, fluid change and adjustments of the various parts of the tranny.  A service should be done every 30,000 to 50,000 and will cost probably in the region of about �150.

Your car will have a ZF autobox, which yes is fairly bomb proof but given how many Merc's, Audi's and BMW's that are out there fitted with ZF transmissions, failures are rare.

My E39 suffered from a faulty pressure solenoid and a fault in the valve body.  I ended up getting a complete new solenoid bank and my valve body overhauled.  It cost me �702 for this work 6 weeks into E39 ownership.

Let us know how you get on.

Andrew

PS Welcome to the forum.