How many miles on AUTOMATIC transmission before failure? (or no problems at all?)

I'm just curious on how many miles your car has been driven with or without an automatic transmission failure. If your transimission failed, do you think you maintained it properly before failure?

The poll will give some interesting info, but your comments about your particular situation are welcome.

Thanks for looking.

Edit: KrisL: Also, please reply to this thread stating your model year: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=331801

i got 90,000 and it runs like its brand new

Ooops...didnt read before I voted. I have a manual, sorry.

100k and alls well though.

Well I'm at 96,000 and a CEL came on = P0741 Torque Converter Stuff Off.

They (Dealership) replaced the Torque Convertor and changes the transmission fluid and filter all under warranty. (3rd party Warranty with autobroker.com)

Interesting Note: They stated that the transmission fluid was deteriorating - so what does that say about their "Lifetime Transmission" Fluid theory.

This would be it's first transmission oil/filter change at 96K. Car has been maintain since day one because I have both the extended maintanence warranty and extended service warranty until 100,000 miles.

Originally Posted by LKNGOOD

Well I'm at 96,000 and a CEL came on = P0741 Torque Converter Stuff Off.

They (Dealership) replaced the Torque Convertor and changes the transmission fluid and filter all under warranty. (3rd party Warranty with autobroker.com)

Interesting Note: They stated that the transmission fluid was deteriorating - so what does that say about their "Lifetime Transmission" Fluid theory.

This would be it's first transmission oil/filter change at 96K. Car has been maintain since day one because I have both the extended maintanence warranty and extended service warranty until 100,000 miles.

exact same issue. replaced torque converter, fluid, solenoid, filter at the price of 15xx at the aamco. 79xxx miles

Originally Posted by LKNGOOD

Well I'm at 96,000 and a CEL came on = P0741 Torque Converter Stuff Off.

They (Dealership) replaced the Torque Convertor and changes the transmission fluid and filter all under warranty. (3rd party Warranty with autobroker.com)

Interesting Note: They stated that the transmission fluid was deteriorating - so what does that say about their "Lifetime Transmission" Fluid theory.

This would be it's first transmission oil/filter change at 96K. Car has been maintain since day one because I have both the extended maintanence warranty and extended service warranty until 100,000 miles.

HI! I wanted to get your feedback, I have a 2005 auto 325ci and am at 45k, I wanted to ask you if you think it is wise for me to get the extended warranty up to 100k and how much that would cost on average?

Is it worth for me to buy the warranty, if they say these cars are great with no problems(usually) til 9ok?

Originally Posted by LKNGOOD

Well I'm at 96,000 and a CEL came on = P0741 Torque Converter Stuff Off.

They (Dealership) replaced the Torque Convertor and changes the transmission fluid and filter all under warranty. (3rd party Warranty with autobroker.com)

Interesting Note: They stated that the transmission fluid was deteriorating - so what does that say about their "Lifetime Transmission" Fluid theory.

This would be it's first transmission oil/filter change at 96K. Car has been maintain since day one because I have both the extended maintanence warranty and extended service warranty until 100,000 miles.

I know this is late and has probably been addressed but if not I can shed some light on this. However prior to the release of my knowledge I picked it up from other post/research done on the web. I am not your local mechanic nor do I have any certification in any area dealing with cars except for having a license. Further more I am only an up and comer enthusiastic kid. So basically take this info for what its worth but dont hold me responsible for any misleading information.

Anyway, basically the BMW lifetime transmission fluid is a bunch of 'baloney' to put it in nice terms. It has been allegedly proven by forum members and other people supposedly (although I cannot cite this) that the lifetime fluid can actually cause extreme damage to your tranny.

Basically it was said that over time 'gunk' (i dont remember what defined gunk) would build up were the fluid sits. Also around parts that play the roll of what a gasket or O-ring would do. So further more it would shorten the life span of certain parts, other than gasket like parts aswell, and cause premature failure.

So it has been recommend to change your transmission fluid i believe it was something like ever 20k. BUT...

And this was a big BUTT, if your car is over 60k miles and you haven't changed your fluid you shouldn't do this. Because there is a chance that the transmission fluid caused this so called 'gunk', so when you change it it will break its seal with the O-ring / gasket typed parts.
So whys this bad? Because supposedly the o ring typed sealant parts have been deteriorated and the seal will be broken. Which can lead to failure of your transmission and a costly fix.

So anyway my suggestion would be to take this information into account because it hasn't been dis proven yet. And if you can disprove it please let me know because I would defiantly like to here why.

Thanks, Skip

Originally Posted by SKIPPY03

I know this is late and has probably been addressed but if not I can shed some light on this. However prior to the release of my knowledge I picked it up from other post/research done on the web. I am not your local mechanic nor do I have any certification in any area dealing with cars except for having a license. Further more I am only an up and comer enthusiastic kid. So basically take this info for what its worth but dont hold me responsible for any misleading information.

Anyway, basically the BMW lifetime transmission fluid is a bunch of 'baloney' to put it in nice terms. It has been allegedly proven by forum members and other people supposedly (although I cannot cite this) that the lifetime fluid can actually cause extreme damage to your tranny.

Basically it was said that over time 'gunk' (i dont remember what defined gunk) would build up were the fluid sits. Also around parts that play the roll of what a gasket or O-ring would do. So further more it would shorten the life span of certain parts, other than gasket like parts aswell, and cause premature failure.

So it has been recommend to change your transmission fluid i believe it was something like ever 20k. BUT...

And this was a big BUTT, if your car is over 60k miles and you haven't changed your fluid you shouldn't do this. Because there is a chance that the transmission fluid caused this so called 'gunk', so when you change it it will break its seal with the O-ring / gasket typed parts.
So whys this bad? Because supposedly the o ring typed sealant parts have been deteriorated and the seal will be broken. Which can lead to failure of your transmission and a costly fix.

So anyway my suggestion would be to take this information into account because it hasn't been dis proven yet. And if you can disprove it please let me know because I would defiantly like to here why.

Thanks, Skip

Absolute myth. I have called and talked to technical support of ZF corp. If you are driving hard change each 60,000 miles, but if you do normal driving each 100,000 miles, that's what technical support are recommending.

Almost 250,000 miles, original automatic trans. Works fine.

Originally Posted by crowz

Almost 250,000 miles, original automatic trans. Works fine.

Wow - 250K. That's awesome.

So how did you maintane the transmission?

Did you change the filter and fluid every 30K, or just every 100K, or is it still the original fluids and filter in there - Yikes

Originally Posted by LKNGOOD

Wow - 250K. That's awesome.

So how did you maintane the transmission?

Did you change the filter and fluid every 30K, or just every 100K, or is it still the original fluids and filter in there - Yikes

The previous owner never changed the fluid, ugly looking stuff when I changed it around 238k or something.

Originally Posted by crowz

The previous owner never changed the fluid, ugly looking stuff when I changed it around 238k or something.

Holy poop Batman..... 238k and never serviced.

Did you just do the pan and filter ......or a complete fluid change-out ??

Originally Posted by LKNGOOD

Wow - 250K. That's awesome.

So how did you maintane the transmission?

Did you change the filter and fluid every 30K, or just every 100K, or is it still the original fluids and filter in there - Yikes

It's a well known fact that crowz' transmission was actually taken out of the millennium falcon and is routinely maintenanced by service droids.

Originally Posted by Vornado

It's a well known fact that crowz' transmission was actually taken out of the millennium falcon and is routinely maintenanced by service droids.

If you think maintenance is expensive on a bmw, try getting a service droid serviced, yeooouch

Originally Posted by crowz

Almost 250,000 miles, original automatic trans. Works fine.

bet you don't drive like an idi.. either. right?

Originally Posted by crowz

Almost 250,000 miles, original automatic trans. Works fine.

very nice to know

172,000 miles on 97 540I V8 automatic transmission and never been changed. Dealership said at this mileage it would be better to leave it alone since it is not causing any trouble.
They have seen problems come up after a high mileage change.

I'm doing what they recommended.

Computer only shows an Oxygen sensor 1-4 needs replacing. It will be done next week for $200.00.

Most folks that have BMW vehicles do not post on these sites, mainly those with problems do so be careful or you may get the wrong impression.

Some of the nicest older BMWs I ever seen are posted on here. With as much as they have had replaced, they are same as brand new or better. If I had one of those, I'd show it off too.

150,000+ miles, no problems.

Original fluids (though, I would not recommend it; I went past the point of no return before I wised-up to the definition of "life-time").

WHAT is the definition?

+1

71K as if this morning....no problems yet (2003 e46 325i steptronic)

Failed at 46,000 miles, so Can't even vote.

Although the E46 trannys had issues. Failures are rare. Trannys are thoroughly tested before they go into production. What typically happens is one supplier mucks up assembly or a parts supplier is not fully in spec. By the time the car manufacturer find out it could be a few years waiting for miles to be put on the cars.

Acura, Toyota had much worse tranny issues and still do today. Toyota sells so many Lexotas that it is easy for them to have 1 million bad trannys before they realize it. The downside of becoming GM'ified.

Originally Posted by sdbrandon

Although the E46 trannys had issues. Failures are rare. Trannys are thoroughly tested before they go into production. What typically happens is one supplier mucks up assembly or a parts supplier is not fully in spec. By the time the car manufacturer find out it could be a few years waiting for miles to be put on the cars.

Acura, Toyota had much worse tranny issues and still do today. Toyota sells so many Lexotas that it is easy for them to have 1 million bad trannys before they realize it. The downside of becoming GM'ified.

I fail to see the distinction between "issues" and "failures". By your logic, even the no-reverse problem would not constitute a failure since the forward gears still work, but I think most people would regard not being able to reverse a serious failure. Either way, you've still got a bad transmission and are looking at some hefty repairs or replacement.

And what exactly is your basis for knocking Acura and Toyota? There's a reason Toyota and Honda have great resale values, and it isn't because buyers are expecting transmission issues. My sister's got a 2005 Corolla, but apart from oil changes, hasn't had it serviced for the last 3 years. All I had to do was replace the various filters, change the transmission fluid, and replace the brakes, and it's as good as new. Try neglecting your bimmer for three years like that! And FYI, GM doesn't own any part of Toyota or Honda. GM owns parts of Daewoo and Suzuki, Ford owns Volvo cars and part of Mazda, but Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura are 100% owned by their parent companies.

Originally Posted by sdbrandon

Although the E46 trannys had issues. Failures are rare. Trannys are thoroughly tested before they go into production. What typically happens is one supplier mucks up assembly or a parts supplier is not fully in spec. By the time the car manufacturer find out it could be a few years waiting for miles to be put on the cars.

Acura, Toyota had much worse tranny issues and still do today. Toyota sells so many Lexotas that it is easy for them to have 1 million bad trannys before they realize it. The downside of becoming GM'ified.

I had a steptronic clunk with my E46 which was fixed with a software update about a week after I got my car. Was going strong when I gave it back.

With my 4runner, there was an automatic transmission clunk that was like the titanic hitting an iceberg. Was still there when I traded that b*tch in for a new 328xi.