Transmission failure on 2000 323ci

[GPinSeattle]

We have a 323ci that we took delivery on in May 2000. My wife drives it primarily short distances; it only has 39,500 miles on it after 5.5 years.

2 weeks ago, reverse quit working correctly. It would barely go backward in reverse, even if revved. We took it to a highly recommended BMW specialist, a shop we started using recently. They said that the trans fluid looked terribly dirty, and that we'd probably be better off getting a "new" tranny than having them repair this one. The only tranny available for this car is a remanufactured one from BMW.

They got the remanufactured tranny from the BMW dealer, put it in - and within a few days, we had the very same problem again.

The BMW specialist said that the dealer was actually stocking this particular tranny, which was a red flag to him, i.e., they appear to be having a lot of demand for replacements.

Is this transmission a lemon? Do we have any hope of getting any compensation from BMW on the first transmission? I'm sure we'll get taken care of on the second one.

[91HO305TPI]

yes bmw has a 12month 12000 mile warinty on parts installed by a bmw dealer so no your likly out of luck on that end.

[sub006]

Since BMW went to the "lifetime fill" on their automatics in the mid-'90's, there have been problems. Typically they are good for at least 100,000 miles (the end of a maximum CPO warranty).

For people who keep their cars a LONG time (250,000 miles plus), specialists have begun recommending ATF changes. There is an access plug on the trans case where this can be done.

If it had been my car I would have taken it back to the dealer and asked for the BMW Zone rep to look at it. Many times these guys will ok a replacement or maybe half-price on the replacement for goodwill on a low-mileage yet out-of-warranty car.

It also helps to be a member of BMWCCA. The dealers and BMW North America hate to see horror stories like yours in the Roundel magazine, read by over 40,000 BMW owner enthusiasts.

[gbickel]

I just had the same problem w/2000 318i 41000 miles. Dealer says I need new trans, $4500. This has to be a BMW problem. anyone with any answers.

[FULLMINATOR]

I have a 2001 330I with 65k miles. This transmission has done just as you described. It will not go into reverse. Local transmission shop says it needs a rebuild. I am finding out this is not an uncommon problem. Does anyone know if BMW is admitting a problem? Will BMW step up and help? The "lifetime fluid" cannot be a good idea.

[sub006]

gbickel and FULLMINATOR,

Yes, BMW and other manufacturers DO step up and help in some cases. If you are not yet a member of BMW CCA, JOIN! With 40,000 members, we have enough clout to get a $500 extra rebate direct from BMW NA when we buy or lease a new or CPO 3 series.

See if a member friend has the last couple of years of the club magazine, "Roundel". Read the letters columns for other trans complaints, also the technical column.

Dealers are all trying to get 100% "excellent" ratings from service customers. When a member writes in that he had a lousy experience, it strikes fear in their hearts.

If we all leased cars, would responsibility for situations like yours swing back to the manufacturere and/or dealer?

[FULLMINATOR]

I have spoken to the BMW dealer service manager. He was less than enthusiastic about my problem. He said "so you have taken your transmission problem to an independant shop, and now you want BMW to help, is that it?"
My reason for going to this independant shop is I didnt have a very good experience with them the last time I was there. It seems every time I have taken the car in for service they find some reason to present me with a $800-$900 bill.
This service manager wants to do his own diagnostic of my transmission failure, and I do not dispute that. The problem is the independant shop has already removed the transmission from the car. I asked what the chance was of having someone from BMW visit the independant shop. (They are about two blocks from each other, and according to the independant shop manager frequently share parts, tools, and information.) The service manager said chances of this were ZERO. At this point I have decided to continue down this road of having the independant shop fix the car. I am disappointed in BMW's response. A transmission failure at 65,000 miles does'nt bode well for BMW getting any of my future business.

[Ukrainian]

next time get manual

[gbickel]

[quote=gbickel]I just had the same problem w/2000 318i 41000 miles. Dealer says I need new trans, $4500. This has to be a BMW problem. anyone with any answers.