Dull drone noise - possible diff?

[x5matt]

Having had 2 pre facelifts x5's - a 02 and a 53 plate, i was always told how much better the facelift was.

The major issues that they were supposed to have sorted out were a modified air breather pipe to the turbo which supposedly help resolve alot of failed turbos on the previous x5's and better 6 speed auto gearbox which i beleive manufactured by another company from before but not sure. And a few more tweaks.

BMW northwest told me that bmw do not sell the torque convertor as a seperate item and its sold as part of the complete gearbox at £3800. As a result the entire gearbox and torque convertor has to be reconned.

This really frustates me but heh after years of bmw ownership i should be used to it!!! its just a money making merry go round.

[X5Sport]

There was an update to a Mk2 6 speed box in 2006 I think, but how you tell the difference I don't know.

Yes there is a known issue with the torque converter on the ZF transmission regardless of which OEM and vehicle they make it is installed in. I believe that it's used in BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, possibly certain Audi's and Rolls-Royce, maybe others. The company that rebuilt (for £2500, failed at 41,900 miles) mine in January see a large number of both the ZF-6 speed and GM 5-speed boxes, as well as a fair number of almost every auto out there. When mine came back, he had 2 7er and one 5er just come in that day. If you can, get an after market warranty to protect yourself. BMW will not repair, only replace these transmissions and their charges are a lot worse - nearer £10k if you need a mechatronics unit too. You might get goodwill, but then again you might not. I didn't and mine was fully BMW maintained!!

ZF - who make the 6sp have a full set of service kits available and a new TC is £240 +VAT - or was last year.

[x5matt]

Many thanks for the reply - and a update fro yesterday - the noise has stopped, in first and 2nd there is no whine at presnt and the gearbox does feel smoother.

Just to clarify your point - Am i right in thinking that i could purcahse a service kit from ZF including the Torque convertor at around £250 +vat??? or a increased price on this - i dont mind that as i estimate to pull out the gearbox and fit these new service parts would not cost be £2500 as BMW northwest are charging............????

Do you have a link to the service parts at ZF? many thanks for your help.

Im not happy with this - the car is £45k when new - the quality of the parts just do not justify that price tag!!!

[motormender]

glad you have it sorted (for now at least). strangely mine seems to have got better on its own but doubt it will last. might ring my local auto specialist for some advice he has been brill in the past and very knowledgeable.

[X5Sport]

The kits used on mine following the TC failure were:
New TC Kit - £240
Master overhaul kit - £250
Oil Pump - £150
Oil Filter Assy £30
ATF - £63
Transfer Box Oil - £6
Labour Charges - £1,000 (17.75 Hours start to finish)

Add 20% VAT and there's your figurses. In my case the one-way 'sprag' clutch in the TC failed and that was that. 12 month repair warranty and they'll change the ATF after 6,000 miles.

The Mechatronics Unit was a different problem they found after the rebuild. Again a remanu one came from ZF and was £1200 plus VAT. That was bare so had to have the BMW software loaded. Warranty Direct picked up the whole tab apart from £50 for the policy excess.

If you only need a TC change then you're biggest cost is the removal and replacement of the box itself. BMW charge up to £140 an hour when a transmission specialist may only charge (as the one here did) £58 an hour. That will make a big difference. Mine was rebuilt by A1 Premier Transmissions in Biggleswade, Beds, and they are a gearbox specialist rather than a BMW indy.

I understand your annoyance, but this is a ZF problem as they provided the boxes under sub-contract. Other OEMs with the same box are also having trouble, but the overall % is very low when you consider more than 1 million of these are out there. It doesn't make any of us who get the bad ones any better of course, but.......

[x5matt]

Noise has returned

Really dont know what to do now, dont really want to wait untill the gearbox gives up and be hit with a£2500 bill.

Anyone know of a good rebuilder? if required and costs? if i can get a torque convertor for £250+ may consider a swap out now rather than later.

Car is running fine though! no holding gears, just a faint whine in first and second and its only me that hears it!!!

[motormender]

Have you gone any further with this matt or just turned the radio up.
dave

[Chunkno1]

The droning and whining sounds like my 54 facelift did , it was a manual 3.0i , I thought it was gerbox or clutch , had it checked changed the clutch , then bang two weeks later the front diff collapsed at the lights , £2500 estimate from BMW , got a second hand diff fitted and got rid of it , I actually bought front diff off a diesel 3.0 by mistake , apparently they are different to the petrol any way it's lying in the hut ( second hand diff ) if anyone is interested
Good luck

[x5matt]

Hi Guys

To be honest i have just taken a extended warranty out with warranty Direct and im just driving carefully for 3 months then after that i will wait for which ever 'bang' will come my way!!! and hopefully deal under warranty.

I had the rear diff oil changed, have had a couple of boot joints changed, have had the gearbox oil changed etc etc, but have been told its most likely the gearbox as the whine only occurs in first to second, after that its fine with no noise what so ever.

My initial thought was always the diff, but have been told its fine, centre bearing in the diff was also in my mind but have been told no its not this either, im a bit fed up with it all but not suprised as there is always ' a known fault' with these damn cars.

Ive taken the warranty out and handed it over to the mrs!!! cant be bothered anymore, just waiting for it to go pop!! the day i cant move it will be the day i will repair it, untill then i dont want to think about it.

Sorry to sound a bit p....d off, but i was told soooooooooooooooo many things how how much better the facelifted x5 was, how the teething issues in the old modle had been sorted and the rest,