XSeries-forum

Hi All, I'm after some advice.

Ive got a 2004 x53.0d sport with some gearbox problems...

Downshifts: Downshifts when approaching a stop can be harsh, with the 2-1 shift appearing to occur too early with a jolt. A slow approach to a stop is less affected than a quick approach.  This is worse than before, not just the usual downhill downshift where it is being clever.

Changing up: On the upshift from 2-3 there can be a delay between gears, with an over-rev of the engine followed by the 3rd gear coming in with a bang. From standstill this is rare, when coasting onto a roundabout then accelerating this can happen quite frequently.

Hard upshifts: Like the mellow 2-3 on a roundabout hard upshifts can cause the hanging between gears then slam as the next gear comes in... It was so bad yesterday I thought I had been hit from behind.

I've read a couple of threads where people have ended up having gearbox and pretty much the whole drive train replaced, which is something I'd quite like to avoid.

Any thoughts? or is it time for me to clean it and trade in.....

It would be a pity as I've put 100k miles on and it has been completely trouble free.  The only thing it has ever needed is servicing, tyres and fuel.

Well, apart form the not working two speakers and the reversing sensors of course.  However, I don't mind that as it is still a great car....

Hi,

You should not need to get the entire transmission/powertrain replaced.  BMW will only replace the broken parts at HUGE expense so most of us just ignore that option.

It would probably be a good idea to take your car to either an Indy with the Autologic system, or to a BMW Dealer and get a fault code readout for the gearbox.  That will then tell you what if anything needs repair.

A fully warranted transmission rebuild costs around £2k, unless you have a warranty in which case they may/should do it for you.  Warranty Direct paid for mine and the only bills I had were £60 for the BMW Diagnostics and £50 warranty excess.  The box was repaired and a new Mechatronics brain fitted - total cost for both was around £3.5k - and that is a 'worst case' scenario.  Mechatronics units are around £1,200 'bare'.

Richard

Thanks for that, I'm booked in for a checkup on Tuesday