Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:51 pm
What do you do to the boxes 
Page 2 of 5
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:10 am
That's definitely not good. Mine had two, but one was an in warranty swap as the repaired box still had a shift issue that they couldn't find.
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:29 pm
[quote=""pvr""]What do you do to the boxes [/quote]
First box went at 117000, so didnt do too bad. Box number two was reconditioned under warrenty thro' a specialist in Norfolk along with the TC, but only lasted 21K, slipping in third and would "shoot" back in reverse, needing me to stand on the brakes to stall it to stop.......not good..Now on box number three with a new TC which, fingers crossed seems ok. Shame really as I wanted to part with it this year to upgrade but as I've thrown a shed load of cash at it I feel I should keep it for a bit.......May bite me in the ass
[/quote]First box went at 117000, so didnt do too bad. Box number two was reconditioned under warrenty thro' a specialist in Norfolk along with the TC, but only lasted 21K, slipping in third and would "shoot" back in reverse, needing me to stand on the brakes to stall it to stop.......not good..Now on box number three with a new TC which, fingers crossed seems ok. Shame really as I wanted to part with it this year to upgrade but as I've thrown a shed load of cash at it I feel I should keep it for a bit.......May bite me in the ass
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 9:30 am
hi,
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:50 pm
[quote=""X5Sport""]It should only change down to 2nd when stopping as 1st is normally only used in either Sport or Manual mode. Try the soft reset, but there was also a gearbox mechatronics module (gearbox brain at the bottom of the 6sp transmission, in the engine bay on the 5sp)) firmware upgrade done. If the reset doesn't work, find an Indy or Dealer to get yours checked to see if you have the later version installed. You do need to allow a couple of weeks of driving to allow the adaption system to 'relearn' your style though, so don't expect an immediate improvement after the reset.
Sometimes the way you stop can upset the transmission release. If I kept a steady braking force on then mine could be clunky, but if I started to ease the brake pressure just as the car was stopping the clunk vanished. Not sure what causes it or why it made a difference, but as autos don't provide much in the way of engine braking when compared to a manual, it might be the way the clutches and brake bands hold the gears. Sometimes I think these things are trying to be too clever!![/quote]
It should only change down to 2nd when stopping as 1st is normally only used in either Sport or Manual mode
Why would a gearbox start to do that......it's hard to tell what gear you're in when in auto mode?
Is it the software that makes it do daft things....in so much it can be told not too with a laptop?
This sounds like the stopping lurch/thump I've read so much about but never understood...would dropping to first do that?
+ I've read about this soft reset
is it?
1 Ignition to position 2 (just before startup)
2. Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and count to 30-40 seconds
3. Put your foot on the brake now
4. Start the car and drive FORWARD
How do you know its done anything...does it beep...flash on the dash....nothing?
Is the start car and drive forward and important step becase I saw a "hold brake for 10s" version of the reset which didn't mention starting and driving immediately? It also had steps 1 and 2 in the other order!
Sometimes the way you stop can upset the transmission release. If I kept a steady braking force on then mine could be clunky, but if I started to ease the brake pressure just as the car was stopping the clunk vanished. Not sure what causes it or why it made a difference, but as autos don't provide much in the way of engine braking when compared to a manual, it might be the way the clutches and brake bands hold the gears. Sometimes I think these things are trying to be too clever!![/quote]
It should only change down to 2nd when stopping as 1st is normally only used in either Sport or Manual mode
Why would a gearbox start to do that......it's hard to tell what gear you're in when in auto mode?
Is it the software that makes it do daft things....in so much it can be told not too with a laptop?
This sounds like the stopping lurch/thump I've read so much about but never understood...would dropping to first do that?
+ I've read about this soft reset
is it?
1 Ignition to position 2 (just before startup)
2. Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and count to 30-40 seconds
3. Put your foot on the brake now
4. Start the car and drive FORWARD
How do you know its done anything...does it beep...flash on the dash....nothing?
Is the start car and drive forward and important step becase I saw a "hold brake for 10s" version of the reset which didn't mention starting and driving immediately? It also had steps 1 and 2 in the other order!
how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 9:38 pm
[quote=""gadgetJunky72""]hi,
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.[/quote]
changing the oil and updating the software did not cure my lurch issue. i just had my gearbox refurbed. i am getting my X back tomorrow.i would start saving for a reconditioning job
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.[/quote]
changing the oil and updating the software did not cure my lurch issue. i just had my gearbox refurbed. i am getting my X back tomorrow.i would start saving for a reconditioning job
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:16 pm
[quote=""storminmike""]It should only change down to 2nd when stopping as 1st is normally only used in either Sport or Manual mode
Why would a gearbox start to do that......it's hard to tell what gear you're in when in auto mode?
Is it the software that makes it do daft things....in so much it can be told not too with a laptop?
This sounds like the stopping lurch/thump I've read so much about but never understood...would dropping to first do that?
+ I've read about this soft reset
is it?
1 Ignition to position 2 (just before startup)
2. Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and count to 30-40 seconds
3. Put your foot on the brake now
4. Start the car and drive FORWARD
How do you know its done anything...does it beep...flash on the dash....nothing?
Is the start car and drive forward and important step becase I saw a "hold brake for 10s" version of the reset which didn't mention starting and driving immediately? It also had steps 1 and 2 in the other order![/quote]
No idea why the box might start to do that, unless something in the software is telling it to. Agreed it is difficult to know what gear it's in except by counting the shifts in auto, and that's not always easy either!
The soft reset steps you have are different from the ones I've seen which only use step 1 & 2. No there are no beeps or lights - not very helpful. Not seen anything about the brake or about starting and driving off immediately either. I picked up the steps (1 & 2 only) off Xoutpost and my rebuilder used those steps too. Of course they might have assumed I was going to drive it straight away so not bothered to say 'you must'. I did start the car up after turning the key off, start the car, brake to allow me to set 'D' and drive off after all.
It's also possible that different manufacturers with the same box use different program's and resets? That ZF Transmission is pretty widely used.
Why would a gearbox start to do that......it's hard to tell what gear you're in when in auto mode?
Is it the software that makes it do daft things....in so much it can be told not too with a laptop?
This sounds like the stopping lurch/thump I've read so much about but never understood...would dropping to first do that?
+ I've read about this soft reset
is it?
1 Ignition to position 2 (just before startup)
2. Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and count to 30-40 seconds
3. Put your foot on the brake now
4. Start the car and drive FORWARD
How do you know its done anything...does it beep...flash on the dash....nothing?
Is the start car and drive forward and important step becase I saw a "hold brake for 10s" version of the reset which didn't mention starting and driving immediately? It also had steps 1 and 2 in the other order![/quote]
No idea why the box might start to do that, unless something in the software is telling it to. Agreed it is difficult to know what gear it's in except by counting the shifts in auto, and that's not always easy either!
The soft reset steps you have are different from the ones I've seen which only use step 1 & 2. No there are no beeps or lights - not very helpful. Not seen anything about the brake or about starting and driving off immediately either. I picked up the steps (1 & 2 only) off Xoutpost and my rebuilder used those steps too. Of course they might have assumed I was going to drive it straight away so not bothered to say 'you must'. I did start the car up after turning the key off, start the car, brake to allow me to set 'D' and drive off after all.
It's also possible that different manufacturers with the same box use different program's and resets? That ZF Transmission is pretty widely used.
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 7:00 pm
[quote=""X5Sport""][quote=""storminmike""]It should only change down to 2nd when stopping as 1st is normally only used in either Sport or Manual mode
Why would a gearbox start to do that......it's hard to tell what gear you're in when in auto mode?
Is it the software that makes it do daft things....in so much it can be told not too with a laptop?
This sounds like the stopping lurch/thump I've read so much about but never understood...would dropping to first do that?
+ I've read about this soft reset
is it?
1 Ignition to position 2 (just before startup)
2. Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and count to 30-40 seconds
3. Put your foot on the brake now
4. Start the car and drive FORWARD
How do you know its done anything...does it beep...flash on the dash....nothing?
Is the start car and drive forward and important step becase I saw a "hold brake for 10s" version of the reset which didn't mention starting and driving immediately? It also had steps 1 and 2 in the other order![/quote]
No idea why the box might start to do that, unless something in the software is telling it to. Agreed it is difficult to know what gear it's in except by counting the shifts in auto, and that's not always easy either!
The soft reset steps you have are different from the ones I've seen which only use step 1 & 2. No there are no beeps or lights - not very helpful. Not seen anything about the brake or about starting and driving off immediately either. I picked up the steps (1 & 2 only) off Xoutpost and my rebuilder used those steps too. Of course they might have assumed I was going to drive it straight away so not bothered to say 'you must'. I did start the car up after turning the key off, start the car, brake to allow me to set 'D' and drive off after all.
It's also possible that different manufacturers with the same box use different program's and resets? That ZF Transmission is pretty widely used.[/quote]
Thanks for that....remembers an old ford capri that could be maintained with an oily rag, a hammer, a pair of pliers and a socket set
Why would a gearbox start to do that......it's hard to tell what gear you're in when in auto mode?
Is it the software that makes it do daft things....in so much it can be told not too with a laptop?
This sounds like the stopping lurch/thump I've read so much about but never understood...would dropping to first do that?
+ I've read about this soft reset
is it?
1 Ignition to position 2 (just before startup)
2. Push the accelerator pedal all the way down and count to 30-40 seconds
3. Put your foot on the brake now
4. Start the car and drive FORWARD
How do you know its done anything...does it beep...flash on the dash....nothing?
Is the start car and drive forward and important step becase I saw a "hold brake for 10s" version of the reset which didn't mention starting and driving immediately? It also had steps 1 and 2 in the other order![/quote]
No idea why the box might start to do that, unless something in the software is telling it to. Agreed it is difficult to know what gear it's in except by counting the shifts in auto, and that's not always easy either!
The soft reset steps you have are different from the ones I've seen which only use step 1 & 2. No there are no beeps or lights - not very helpful. Not seen anything about the brake or about starting and driving off immediately either. I picked up the steps (1 & 2 only) off Xoutpost and my rebuilder used those steps too. Of course they might have assumed I was going to drive it straight away so not bothered to say 'you must'. I did start the car up after turning the key off, start the car, brake to allow me to set 'D' and drive off after all.
It's also possible that different manufacturers with the same box use different program's and resets? That ZF Transmission is pretty widely used.[/quote]
Thanks for that....remembers an old ford capri that could be maintained with an oily rag, a hammer, a pair of pliers and a socket set
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 7:35 pm
Having just had BMW Rescue here looking at the X6 and seeing the guy use a laptop computer alongside another handheld device for two hours to find the instrument binnacle unit has died, possibly taking other bits with it, I think it will need a few more tools than I have....and a warranty cost of more than £1,000. 
He told me he's recently been on a callout job with a newish 645 where a bolt has come out in the gearbox and caused a warranty repair to the V8 engine & gearbox assembly of approx £25k!!
He told me he's recently been on a callout job with a newish 645 where a bolt has come out in the gearbox and caused a warranty repair to the V8 engine & gearbox assembly of approx £25k!!
how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 7:51 pm
The drive of your life.
After a bill like that you'll be lucky to survive the heart attack
After a bill like that you'll be lucky to survive the heart attack
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 2:16 pm
if a gearbox goes and is repaired by an independent,do they just replace with the standard parts or do they use uprated bits to prevent it happening again?
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 2:32 pm
In my case the warranty company paid so the repair kits were the ZF 'Major Overhaul' set for all the clutches, plus new oil pump, torque converter, seals and filter etc. I assumed they were just a standard set, but ZF might have improved them since the original build?
If you are paying yourself I guess you could ask about an 'upgraded' set.
If you are paying yourself I guess you could ask about an 'upgraded' set.
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 5:59 pm
[quote=""kkodal78""][quote=""gadgetJunky72""]hi,
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.[/quote]
changing the oil and updating the software did not cure my lurch issue. i just had my gearbox refurbed. i am getting my X back tomorrow.i would start saving for a reconditioning job
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk[/quote]
hi. could you give an update please once you've had a chance to drive you car for a bit after the rebuild?
Thanks
Pav
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.[/quote]
changing the oil and updating the software did not cure my lurch issue. i just had my gearbox refurbed. i am getting my X back tomorrow.i would start saving for a reconditioning job
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk[/quote]
hi. could you give an update please once you've had a chance to drive you car for a bit after the rebuild?
Thanks
Pav
Re: how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:06 pm
If the gearbox went, how much do you think it would cost to get a replacement fitted?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E53-20 ... 2122wt_983
Would it work out cheaper than taking it somewhere for a refurb?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E53-20 ... 2122wt_983
Would it work out cheaper than taking it somewhere for a refurb?
how real are the gearbox problems?
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 6:43 am
[quote=""gadgetJunky72""][quote=""kkodal78""][quote=""gadgetJunky72""]hi,
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.[/quote]
changing the oil and updating the software did not cure my lurch issue. i just had my gearbox refurbed. i am getting my X back tomorrow.i would start saving for a reconditioning job
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk[/quote]
hi. could you give an update please once you've had a chance to drive you car for a bit after the rebuild?
Thanks
Pav[/quote]
so far i haven' felt the lurch. it is very smooth for the 110 mile one way trip i had yesterday. but i'll keep posting as i go for longer journeys
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk
after performing the diy soft reset, and driving the car for the best part of a week, I didn't see any improvement in the clunky gearchange problem.
i went to see Jason (BW Tuning) at the weekend and he updated the gearbox and engine software. he charges £95 + vat to do this.
I've been driving the car for approx. 4 days and 200 miles now. I can feel an improvement in the gearbox, but the problem hasn't been totally eradicated. I do feel less concerned that the gearbox is on its way out. I'm going to get a gearbox oil change in the next couple of weeks as a preventative measure.
i've also decided not to go for a remap as it might just be the straw that breaks the donkey's back.[/quote]
changing the oil and updating the software did not cure my lurch issue. i just had my gearbox refurbed. i am getting my X back tomorrow.i would start saving for a reconditioning job
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk[/quote]
hi. could you give an update please once you've had a chance to drive you car for a bit after the rebuild?
Thanks
Pav[/quote]
so far i haven' felt the lurch. it is very smooth for the 110 mile one way trip i had yesterday. but i'll keep posting as i go for longer journeys
Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk