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

What miles did you have them changed and did you use OEM fluid? How many miles do you have now?
Different years also have different transmission models so same model failure rates should be grouped together.

2001 325i sedan with approximately 150,000 miles; steptronic (ZF) gearbox suddenly developed a major oil leak at the front end and it sounded as though a bearing had failed, although it did not totally fail as I managed to drive it to my Indy mechanic who has advised that it requires a full rebuild / refurbishment. (There is no BMW gearbox exchange option in Australia such as Pelican Parts provide in the USA) The car is well maintained and had a gerabox oil change about 30,000 miles ago. There have not been any previous problems with the gearbox. Like everything BMW here in Australia, I expect this will be very expensive to repair!

134000 miles on 330Xi, no issues with transmission. Transmission oil & filter changed @ 70K with Texaco 8045B and 100K and 125K with Castrol Dextron 6.

My 2005 325Ci (auto) was at around 128,000 when it was totaled but it had been running fine, even though I abused it regularly by engaging Steptronic and "downshifting" to increase RPMs to pass a slower car (and then going back to auto).
But I did do all my preventive maintenance and changed my oil with Lubro-Moly every 5,000 miles, etc.

85k and boosted with 17psi of boost

330 D gearbox failure at 88,000 miles. See following thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...23#post7381623

I'm not impressed with such poor reliabilty. I only bought a BMW auto to avoid Audi Multi-tronic failure!!!!

Next job is to mitigate the impending swirl flap failure...

What kind of transmission family production you have?

My dad had 137k on his before it finally took a **** on him.. Guess according to the poll he was lucky lol

Hi I,ve just pick up my 330d Beemer with suspect gearbox problems. I've drove it from Devon to South Wales with no problems, the symptoms were as you engage it D or use the sport settings it takes a while to start off, you have to pick the revs up a bit b4 it goes once moving it was fine. BUT. As I got home I noticed in trafic it was getting worse, parked it up on my drive for 10 mins and noticed a pool of oil on floor, so drove it to my mates garage, well the AA had to finish that one off as I lost drive, I've got, it up on ramp oil everywhere but can't really find out where it's coming from, think its the torque converter, my questions Can you buy a new torque converter and fit this or is this specialist job, I was going to try new fluid and see how it behaves, b4 I bite the bullet on a new box.

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

85k and boosted with 17psi of boost

17psi?. On a centrifugal SC?

Originally Posted by GeorgeBush234

What kind of transmission family production you have?

It's a 5 speed automatic, the bog-standard one on an E46 330D M-Sport saloon.

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UPDATE:

Upon dismantling the specialist has determined that: The main bearing in the torque converter failed catastrophically; this lead to a mechanical failure of the torque converter, which then cascaded a failure of the lock-up clutch pack. The debris then blocked up the oil cooler that is parasitic with the main radiator. Total bill for the gearbox rebuild is £1850!!!

Now, just to add insult to injury, the insurance company I have the warranty with are refusing to pay out claiming the all to common lame excuse of wear and tear! So now I have to find the time to fight for reimbursement. How they can claim a sudden and catastrophe failure of a bearing can be considered as wear and tear is absurdly ridiculous. The company concerned is "Customer Protect", aka "Auto Protect" and also know by about half-a-dozen other names also using the same phone number... Their first line of defence is to give you the run-around when trying to phone them... This is looking like yet another case for the insurance ombudsman and then I suspect subsequently the small claims court.

I have also had to rectify a leak in the water system. The water pump bearing had failed along with a sticky thermostat and a cracked thermostat housing. So further bill of about £400 has to now be funded.

So much for buying a car that was supposed to be reliable!!!

My 2002 E46 330i has done 138000 miles on the same transmission, no problems

how many miles do you have now Crowz? And is your transmission still working?

I have 125k on my 1999 323i A/T do you guys recommend that I do the transmission fluid and filter change?
No issues to date

Ive done 139 000 kilometers on my 2001 330i no problems with the transmission

Just tunred 100k on Saturday. 2005 E46 conv with the ZHP (performance package). No problems with the transmission. I am working on a list of wear items to replace, ie bushings, shocks etc.

Originally Posted by stevenj

how many miles do you have now Crowz? And is your transmission still working?

I have 125k on my 1999 323i A/T do you guys recommend that I do the transmission fluid and filter change?
No issues to date

Oh, and when I say 125k, i mean "125 Thousand Miles" not Km just to be clear.

I would do it because if it keeps you transmission working right.

The transmission on my 2001 325Ci failed at 129,000 miles. Just got it back after the expensive rebuild.

I had the transmission serviced at 90,000 miles.

are you the impatient ones who really wished you were driving a stick and "worry" the automatic shift by holding onto it and shifting it too soon like you have some kind of mental/ADD/OCD disorder? There's medication for that. It's cheaper than ruining your car. And, I bet your relationships are in exactly the state of ruin that your tranny is in...as well as your body's organs.

Just sayin...

my tranny just leaked out all the fluid driving home from work Thursday the unit is unfuctional had a torque converter replace 8 months ago. the fluid was black this idea that fluid does not need to be changed is wrong! I have a feeling this transmission is shot and will have to be rebuilt! Any ideas who to buy a replacement from in Houston 330ci 2001 ? how much work and time to replace?

I know what is the the sprocket with the letter H warning board please

First post.

176,000. Original transmission. Still strong.

Originally Posted by stevenj

Oh, and when I say 125k, i mean "125 Thousand Miles" not Km just to be clear.

Still going strong and getting close to 300,000. Will post pics when it rolls past 300k. Of course my wifes 97 528i may go past 300k on her stock automatic before I do since she drives more than I do

I need to re-vote. I'm getting the loud whine, telltale that teeth are rubbing. I'm almost to 140k. Better get it sold before I blow it. =//////

Bought this weekend -- no issues, all maintenance records, ppi came back great! 104,000 and runs beautifully! 400 miles already this week