Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

[Singapore Brummie]

I have a E60 525, just 4 years and 82,000 kms and BMW have told me the gearbox needs to be changed at a cost of around $10k.

I don't drive the car hard. I have just had all 6 ignition coils replaced because the engine was misfiring and the problem started immediately after that. The car cannot come to a stop without the engine lurching forward at the very point of stopping.

Initial prognosis was a software issue - locked clutch problem which would be rectified with a re program. Well, that's been done and after a test drive, the problem still exists. I am in Korea now and they tell me changing the gearbox will solve the problem?

That cannot be right can it? 4 years and 82k kms? Change gearbox?

Will BMW pay part of the cost? Anyone else had a claim like this?

 

[Slater]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

not the 1st case we've heard. seems like at the 4th yr mark there r issues with E60 gear boxes

 

[kenntona]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Get a second opinion when you are back, before committing to PML.

 

[wt_know]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

is this pertaining to E60 only ? i'm seriously thinking whether to keep my E90 after the 3 years warranty expired. it sounds pretty scary for parts start failing after 3rd year. **crossing fingers**

not the 1st case we've heard. seems like at the 4th yr mark there r issues with E60 gear boxes

 

[Slater]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

help me out here. but based on the threads, seems like a few E60 kena liao. do u remember seeing many E90's as well?

 

[Vic]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Yes Bro Slater, came across this thread and did a seach on gearbox issue .... seems like E90 problem previously.

Am driving an E60 523 '06 .... and likewise, felt the car inching forward when coming to a stop and also felt that it is not changing gears optimally .... hence did a search to learn more.

Sounds scary on the changing of gearbox.

 

[Slater]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Yes Bro Slater, came across this thread and did a seach on gearbox issue .... seems like E90 problem previously.

Am driving an E60 523 '06 .... and likewise, felt the car inching forward when coming to a stop and also felt that it is not changing gears optimally .... hence did a search to learn more.

Sounds scary on the changing of gearbox.

quickly secure extended warranty. hehe

 

[Vic]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Ya need to check if pml still offer .... but heard tt they do not anymore.

 

[C3P0]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

TS,
My E36 was 180,000km and E46 150,000km, no gearbox issue. E90 I will tell you all in a few years' time. Heaven bless robot please.

Anyway like what Kenntona said above, get a 2nd opinion. I hope it was a wrong diagnosis by PML and that your gearbox is still alright.

 

[longhorn]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

the more i know, the more frightened i become...sigh. good luck mr brummie.

 

[Jason8822]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

heard from PML SA that its a problem more confined to the Pre LCi among E60 especially the 6 cyl 520, other series i not sure

 

[wkkok]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

I have a E60 525, just 4 years and 82,000 kms and BMW have told me the gearbox needs to be changed at a cost of around $10k.

I don't drive the car hard. I have just had all 6 ignition coils replaced because the engine was misfiring and the problem started immediately after that. The car cannot come to a stop without the engine lurching forward at the very point of stopping.

Initial prognosis was a software issue - locked clutch problem which would be rectified with a re program. Well, that's been done and after a test drive, the problem still exists. I am in Korea now and they tell me changing the gearbox will solve the problem?

That cannot be right can it? 4 years and 82k kms? Change gearbox?

Will BMW pay part of the cost? Anyone else had a claim like this?

Hi,

Performance won't pay since out of warranty.
I had the same problem with my E60. Performance and one 3rd party workshop also recommended to replace gearbox. Quote from 3rd party workshop estimated abount 9K.

I was refered to a auto transmission specialist who right away identified the problem with the valve control unit (or something). I had it replaced at 4+K. Been driving for 2-3 weeks. Problem resolved.

 

[donaldho]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

My prevoius E39 520 gearbox give me problem at 120,000km, but the E60 525 gearbox is strong, mine was 165,000km before I sold the car still good track condition.

 

[TheNew7]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Hey SB,

All I can say is, WOW. I was advised to change my gearbox oil at 50k km and did. So far, it is still alright. My mileage is about 76k km currently.

Yeah, best to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion if you need to push another $10k or so.

You wanna updated GPS disc?

 

[Viper Warrior]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

I was told by a former PML mechanic (he now open his own shop), ATF need to be change every 30,000km to prolong the Gearbox life. And what PML claim about "Life Time" ATF in all Bimmers are true till 3rd year ... thats where warranty is over dude ...... Whether you believe or not, for me, I will stick to this recommendation. BTW, my previous E39 clocked 130k km sticking to the 30k km ATF change schedule and transmission is still smooth like silk when I sold it.

 

[iScoupe]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Good friend BMW 523i gearbox gone after 3.5yrs , quote repair 11K, ahem... bang table... ahem... final bill 4K...

 

[iScoupe]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

TS,
My E36 was 180,000km and E46 150,000km, no gearbox issue. E90 I will tell you all in a few years' time. Heaven bless robot please.

Anyway like what Kenntona said above, get a 2nd opinion. I hope it was a wrong diagnosis by PML and that your gearbox is still alright.

My E36 near 400,000km then give up on only 5th gear heaven will blast u !

 

[silverbeam]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Ok i just checked my car out from non-pml workshop with the same issue this evenung. They said to solve the problem, auto transmission valve body need to be replaced. Parts cost $2k+ (cannot remember higher or lower end ) exclude labour. That should fix it.

However their advise given was change the oil $600+ which might make it not as obvious especially if you are not planning to keep the car for long. Just live with it. Cant help feeling disappointed with this make. I have not decided to change it at this point of time and took the oil change as a temp measure for now and assess if I want to keep fixing as it comes or look at ditching it.

 

[Singapore Brummie]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Hello TN7.

I would like an updated disc, but coincidentally, they updated my software trying to get the gearbox issue sorted and found a copy disc in my dvd drive.

They said that it could affect the software?

Sounds like bullsh**.

I am not a happy camper - going down tomorrow morning to collect and bang table.

 

[getfunk]

Re: Gearbox Kaput after 4 years?

Care to share the the contacts of this gearbox guy?