E53 2003 X5 3.0i auto gear box help

[CondorX5]

Sorry to hear it hasn't been sorted scooby, it can't be "fixed" by software as its an actual physical problem with leakage of oil - the box actually has to be stripped and it does cost around £2K, so I'm afraid this dealer does seem to be fobbing you off about it. It's always going to be a problem and will get worse in the cold weather - its really bad in winter due to the low outdoor temps and the box takes ages to be able to get into drive again, it can be quite dangerous really, if you end up reversing onto a road with fast moving traffic during a brief lull, then can't get going for a minute or so till the oil pressure has built up beyond the leaking seal. Most independent sellers and WD type warranties really don't want to know as this is an expensive repair and they will fob you off forever, even BMW UK refused to change the boxes, despite the US doing so, but you were more likely to get a repair eventually from BMW than from other dealers/third party warranties. Personally, I couldn't place my trust in a car which may or may not go forwards when I need it to, so I chopped it in despite losing a bit on it, and bought a 4.8. I do hope you eventually get the problem properly sorted. Remember that any major fault which emerges under 6 months of buying the car is viewed as having been there when you bought it, so the dealer is responsible regardless of any third party warranty which may exist.

[scooby1doo1]

cheers condorX5

I will keep taking it back as and when, and next time i will not pick it up till it's proper fixed

[mrmjn]

sorry to hear you still not sorted feel bad now for saying mine seems ok

Take a look on www.direct.gov.uk when i had issues with my range rover i looked into my rights ect and as condorx5 says the dealer is responsible for it you can phone the direct gov people for advise, they will log details about the dealer, problems ect and will tell u exactly what to do and how to go about it make sure you keep a diary of days time that it goes in and isnt sorted write down what every one says, (dont want to sound patronising) I was lucky and the dealer was true to his word but i was really if he didnt sort it out

mark

[scooby1doo1]

cheers for that mark, don't feel bad about mine not been sorted right. I'll just take it back when the prob comes back, but as i said i'll not be picking it up till it's been to some sort of indy for a proper look.


just been out and this it's the second time since i have it back that it's been moved from cold, it moves off but it needs about 2500k's worth of revs and seems to slip is this some thing new??

cheers

[CondorX5]

No, its the same thing - the oil leaking past the seal so gearbox doesn't go into Drive right away, needs some wellie to help build up correct pressure in the box. Garage may have changed transmission fluid etc which might improve things for a while, but unless the root cause, ie the faulty seal, is physically changed, the problem will not acually vanish.

[scooby1doo1]

ok cheers condorX5

[X5Sport]

Not good. I would expect a catastrophic failure any time now. You are going to get burned out clutches caused by pressure failure. It's rebuild time. You could end up with the system failing with no warning and stranding you. Is this a proper BMW Dealer, or just a car dealer? Don't need names. If it is a BMW Dealer then there is no excuse. Most if not all if them know there is an issue with the boxes and what needs doing, but the line from BMW GB appears to have been 'less than supporting'. In the US, Owners more often than not get a replacement box under goodwill - but not here!

the reason I'm cautioning about leaving this is that it takes very little to completely wreck the box. In my case a plastic part of a Sprag clutch in the torque converter broke and somehow the debris ended up jamming in the oil pump. This caused the pressure to drop ax well as filling the box with fragments. The pressure drop caused a clutch pack to fail - but not immediately. I drove 15 miles with no warnings showing but unusually abrupt/bad gear changes (manual was fine). Called BMW who said in no uncertain terms Do Not Drive! Get it recovered! Next day, cold box, nasty rattle, difficulty in selecting a forward gear and the recovery driver could not get the car to reverse onto his wagon. BMW GB refused to approve goodwill so the car was taken away from them. It was rebuilt by a ZF specialist. It needed a bes Torque Converter, new pump, new filter and a major overhaul kit plus 18 hours of labour. Cost? £2k. The Mechatronics module was later found to be damaged as well and that added another £1200 in parts alone. All paid (less £50) by Warranty Direct - phew. Be careful about any decision you make to drive the car.

Take it back to them and make sure that they get a 'very clear' message that you expect them to repair the gearbox by having it reconditioned or replaced by a rebuilt box. It sounds like the dealer knows there is an issue and may be trying to avoid doing the job because they can't afford it and may be attempting to time out any issues. There are rule changes after 6 months have passed.

If it were me, I would take a hard line and leave them in no doubt that they fulfil their liabilities or they will be having discussions with a local Trading Standard Officer - but then I play rough these days. Too many motor traders have wasted too much of my time by trying to avoid their responsibilities.

I think they know they've got an issue, that it's their problem to solve, and they're just trying to get out cheap. We all try to play nice for a while, but I guess 'play nice' doesn't work with this one. Start billing them for your wasted time and fuel. That might work. After that, Mr Nice goes back in the Toybox.........

[mrmjn]

I agree with x5sport it is wasting your time and the enjoyement of a new car has now gone let along being stranded somewhere as these things always happen, when u are trying to get somewhere important, when u forget your phone, no signal, rush hour when recovery will take hours all because someone isnt forefilling their part of the deal,

you didnt give half the money when u picked up the car so they shouldnt give u half the service YOU paid for! lets face it they will have a few grand profit in that car maybe more!

my friend is going through a disput with a local garage he bought a range rover from the suspention failed and they have had it for 5 weeks the loan car they gave him had 2 bald tyres on it and they ignored his calls or told him different excusses every time, he phoned direct gov people who told him what to write and post letter recorded delivery he had phone call on day they recieved the letter a new car the same as what he bought dropped off to him and has regular updates regarding the repairs

just shows they try and push their luck as people maybe dont look into thier rights,

they are not your friends at the end of the day!!!

phew rant over sorry bout that

Being nice doesnt normally get u anywhere in my experiance more often than not its a kick in the nuts!!

mark

[wilkoturbo]

Well said !

[scooby1doo1]

I bought from a car dealer but none BMW

ok good points i don't see why i should pay the 2k bill when it fails, i have to go hospital in the morning i will ring them back on my return.

Will keep you informed

cheers

[scooby1doo1]

Update time again

After a few days I get a phone call this morning, cars booked in for Monday. 3rd time lucky I hope, it's going to a specialist this time, so I'm told.

Does any body no the turn round for a rebuild, if they phone up wednesday saying it's all fix and it's been rebuilt is this possible.

Cheers

[Sanj]

Jason did a rebuild recently for Powercat (his car died on him in Belgium). Think he did it in less than a 5 day turn around. Could call Jason to confirm? He's on 0208 570 3600.

[scooby1doo1]

Cheers just want to make sure they don't say it's done after a day or two. If it goes to quarry as they said, a mate a work mate works their so can confirm through him.

Just hope it gets sorted this time round.

[mrmjn]

mine was away for 8 days in total

hope you get sorted this time

mark

[scooby1doo1]

Droped it off a few hrs ago, never guess what???


Their going to test it in the morn, to see if it does it again. I said it does it every time it's left for more than 7 hrs, use to be 11-12 hrs.

I'm not picking it up untill it's been sent away, i have had it less than 7 weeks they have had it for 4 plus they have it again.

will up date when needed.

cheers