Gearbox Just Packed In

[Raward]

Oh yes!
BMW X5 E53 2003 3L AUTO,
She hadn't been pulling away very well for a while.
Died on me on monday.
Reconditioned box in Bristol £2200 plus VAT fitted.
Does that sound about right?
Best
RAW

[Holski]

Sounds right mate, good even! I paid nearer £3k, and that was 6 years ago now.

[X5Sport]

Oh....rude word!

Figure sounds close to the one for mine in 2009. It was just over £2.2k all up, so 5 years later and add inflation etc.  included a 12-moth warranty and a free check/oil change at 6 months.

Richard

[Reusch]

Go on e bay and type in bmw x5 gearbox there's company's advertising for around £1000.I've not used any of them or no them but might be useful for you

[shadrack]

just a qucik q but has anyone ever thought of just chancing a £300-£500 salvage item, could last years before going worng and if you diy fitted would be very cheap

[Raward]

Thanks to you all.
Apparently a refurbished gearbox is virtually as good as new - or so I'm told.
Company I'm gunna use been in business 40 yrs.
Thanks again boys and girls.
RAW

[lentil]

Hi Raward,

Sorry to hear your gearbox has packed in

Can I ask how it sounded when it started to go?

Also, what is the mileage on yours? Diesel?

My 3.0d auto has 122k on, so just wondered if I can expect it to go bang any time soon.

Hope it works out for you anyway.

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Raward"]
Oh yes!
BMW X5 E53 2003 3L AUTO,
She hadn't been pulling away very well for a while.
Died on me on monday.
Reconditioned box in Bristol £2200 plus VAT fitted.
Does that sound about right?
Best
RAW
[/quote]

Jason at chiptune who is highly recommended on here quoted me £1600. Im guessing that is plus vat - appreciate he is near london and you're in Bristol but there is a big pile of monetary difference there.

Smee

[Raward]

Cheers Guys....
Yes 3.0 Deisel sport. it went at 123K miles. From cold it was pulling away in what felt like 2nd gear. It never made any strange noises. Over the last few days it was generally failing to engage especially after being in reverse. Eventually the "failsafe" warning came up on the dash.
This is a car that had a full BMW Dealer Service History!
The box was full of foul-smelling oil.
These guys in Bristol are collecting my motor and dropping off a courtesy car at the same time.
Looking forward to getting behind the wheel again.
Thanks for all your advices.
R

[Smeeagain]

Curious as to your comment about it having a full BMW dealership service history . leaving aside the fact that BMW state the gearboxes are sealed for life when it comes to oil change, why do you believe having a full service history prevent it packing up???? All a service history means is that it has been serviced.

Smee

[Raward]

Yes I know but you would assume that a serviced vehicle would put less stress on the gearbox if that makes sense? BTW - forgot to say gearbox was stuck in 3rd or 4th prior to meeting its maker. Actually this gearbox is not going to meet its maker obviously but will be resuscitated elsewhere.
R

[Smeeagain]

Interested to hear what others have to say, but when you consider what little is done, in real terms, at a service, I don't see much that would make or break a gear box.

Smee

[Horizon]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
Interested to hear what others have to say, but when you consider what little is done, in real terms, at a service, I don't see much that would make or break a gear box.

Smee
[/quote]
+1. I've been a service engineer for many years, the customers think that a service will prevent all faults, where in real terms an oil and filter is changed only.A main dealer history doesn't mean much except you know that the oil is the correct grade, BMW don't make oil, or oil filters or air filters, or brake consumables. You pay for the stamp.
20k service intervals on the same oil at the dealers, or 10k service intervals using an indie or doing it yourself?
What's better for the drivetrain?

[Smeeagain]

I know which one Id go for but really does an engine oil /filter change impact the gearbox that much whether its done every ten or twenty k.....?

[Greydog]

Many years ago a service meant pivots hinges and joints were greased, wheel bearings repacked engine gearbox and diff oils changed air and oil filters replaced. As oils/lubricants have improved service intervals have been extended.

Today it means plug it in check for faults change the engine oil and filter, send it for a jetwash and hoover.

My 4.4 had a FBMW SH the last service was stamped 3 months before I got it, on purchase I sent it into a recommended BMW Specialist  to change all oils Diffs Transfer Box Gearbox and Engine. He discovered the engine oil filter was gummed into its housing by thick black sludge ? Our assumption (his and mine) was while oil had been changed the filter hadn't for some considerable time (82k) he rang the last service dealer who literally told him he was talking rubbish. The car was great by the way.

My current 4.6 (72k) when purchased went through the same precautionary routine plus following research I have changed the timing chain tensioner again as a precaution.

Remember the gearbox manufacturers GM and ZF have service information which advises changing fluids/filters at set intervals dependent on duty (ZF is 80k I believe) So being an old engineer I still believe in changing all oils on a regular basis, a few hundred quid every couple of years or so is much cheaper than a gearbox or diff. It isn't a guarantee that shit wont happen though, my car is 12 years old.