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

anyone would recommend shop locate at NYC qualifed for fluid change and drop the pan and filter change?

why is the flush a problem Ive always heard that is the best way since your torque converter holds
so much fluid that won't drain out

Lost reverse today on my '00 323...at 66,151 miles.

Bought it Certified Pre-Owned from BMW in '02. All scheduled maintenance by BMW. No harsh conditions or thrashing, always garaged & no fluid leakes.

I joined the forum today. This thread pointed me to www.noreverse.org. Many thanks. Dave

128,000 miles and my automatic transmission failed on me. Luckily I found an awesome shop in Tempe, Arizona that did it for $1,700! My reverse went out which is a common problem on 2000 323i's. They told me the reverse drum had been chipped and that all the OEM ones were of bad quality and that he had replaced it with a better quality one. I am so happy it was this cheap after going around and being quoted $3000+!

Originally Posted by Rrman

why is the flush a problem Ive always heard that is the best way since your torque converter holds
so much fluid that won't drain out

Flushing is considered risky because it increases the likelihood of dislodging debris that could cause problems.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Flushing is considered risky because it increases the likelihood of dislodging debris that could cause problems.

Ppppphhhhhhhh..........dislodge, smishlodge. Add some saw dust and go for it......

We're all people......

Originally Posted by smolck

Ppppphhhhhhhh..........dislodge, smishlodge. Add some saw dust and go for it......

We're all people......

Flushing as opposed to just draining.

325xi '01 automatic transmission

Recently while stopped and in drive, the car will rumble/vibrate a bit. Not bad, but definitely noticeable. When I shift to neutral or park, everything is dandy. But in reverse and drive when not moving, it feels like I've put a put a quarter into a vibrating bed found at those old motels. Kind of relaxing until I remember I'm in a car. Any ideas? Hope it nothing too serious.

Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by you_are_ludicro

325xi '01 automatic transmission

Recently while stopped and in drive, the car will rumble/vibrate a bit. Not bad, but definitely noticeable. When I shift to neutral or park, everything is dandy. But in reverse and drive when not moving, it feels like I've put a put a quarter into a vibrating bed found at those old motels. Kind of relaxing until I remember I'm in a car. Any ideas? Hope it nothing too serious.

Thanks in advance!

I'm too lazy to find the link...

Google "BMW Output Shafts Vibration" or "BMW Half Shafts Vibration" or search on E46fanatics.com for a guy named "BMWStephen"

Originally Posted by you_are_ludicro

325xi '01 automatic transmission

Recently while stopped and in drive, the car will rumble/vibrate a bit. Not bad, but definitely noticeable. When I shift to neutral or park, everything is dandy. But in reverse and drive when not moving, it feels like I've put a put a quarter into a vibrating bed found at those old motels. Kind of relaxing until I remember I'm in a car. Any ideas? Hope it nothing too serious.

Thanks in advance!

It is your motor needing a tune up. When you put it in gear your car has a "load" on the driveline. There are several sensors that tell your car to idle up when this happens, they may be not working.

I suppose it could be your torque converter, but sounds like something else. I'd focus on your engine first, not your trans.

Originally Posted by smolck

It is your motor needing a tune up. When you put it in gear your car has a "load" on the driveline. There are several sensors that tell your car to idle up when this happens, they may be not working.

I suppose it could be your torque converter, but sounds like something else. I'd focus on your engine first, not your trans.

Hmmm... if a sensor is bad it would show on a diagnostic report. Nothing is showing up. It does need to go to the shop for a tune-up, I have 73k and no engine service other than oil, filters, and those regular things. I guess I will contact the local shop to see what they think it is. Thanks again, if you think of anything else let me know.

PS--what is a torque converter?

No problems, but had it checked at about 120K. They replaced a couple of parts and it seems to run fine. If it fails between now and 200K I'll report back.

Originally Posted by smolck

It is your motor needing a tune up. When you put it in gear your car has a "load" on the driveline. There are several sensors that tell your car to idle up when this happens, they may be not working.

I suppose it could be your torque converter, but sounds like something else. I'd focus on your engine first, not your trans.

Hmmm... if a sensor is bad it would show on a diagnostic report. Nothing is showing up. It does need to go to the shop for a tune-up, I have 73k and no engine service other than oil, filters, and those regular things. I guess I will contact the local shop to see what they think it is. Thanks again, if you think of anything else let me know.

PS--what is a torque converter?

hey guys im new here can someone tell me where can i buy i transmission for a 99 323i e46

Originally Posted by eu_miki_80@yaho

hey guys im new here can someone tell me where can i buy i transmission for a 99 323i e46

ebay is a great source. Also some on e46fantics from time to time. There are several at my local BMW salvage. It is called Vines Automotive in Bessemer, AL.

Egad, the failure rate is quite high in this poll. . .

I wonder how many miles Crowz has on his e46 now and if he still has the same slush box! Calling on Crowz. I havent seen him here in a long time.

Originally Posted by spazmataz

I wonder how many miles Crowz has on his e46 now and if he still has the same slush box! Calling on Crowz. I havent seen him here in a long time.

He probably has about a billion. I haven't seen him either. Maybe he has been driving his Vette and hanging in the Vette forums.....

Only 136,000 miles and running strong
on the 325i '01.

Ed

Originally Posted by spazmataz

I wonder how many miles Crowz has on his e46 now and if he still has the same slush box! Calling on Crowz. I havent seen him here in a long time.

Still here

I got hired to admin another site like bimmerfest but its about ford diesel trucks, drag racing them etc. So Im there a good bit to say the least. But I still make it thru here from time to time.

Wont mention the site since I know some sites dont care for that kind of stuff.

My 323i is still going strong. I dont drive it much these days but its around 248k or maybe 249k. Im waiting still this spring to roll it over to 250k. Automatic trans still works fine. I drive it mainly on sundays now just to get out and drive some.

Only real problem my car has is the struts are toast. Looks like I spent a fortune doing some kind of radical drop kit on it. Theres zero space between the top of the tires and the fenders. May even be up in the fenders some now. Thats another reason I dont drive it much now. Going to set me back a pretty penny to replace all 4 struts plus whatever else is needed on that so Ill wait a bit since I drive my f250 diesel for work.

I also have a 325i (2001) and it has about 95k miles on it. Still running great so far...

2002 330i around 145K miles transmission started to throw P0741 (torque converter stuck on/off). drove it for another 5k miles and finally decided to take the car in to the dealer. dealer replaced the torque converter did a flush and changed the filter. So far 10k miles on the "semi rebuilt" transmission and no problems. I guess it was worth the $3000.

Car was originally bought used (CPO) with 33K miles on it. Fluid never changed, unless the original owner changed it.

2000 323ci - Dreaded no reverse at 80,000 miles with rigorous dealer service (of course we know that is zero service to the tranny).

Have been to noreverse.org but would appreciate if someone could post or direct me to a source for the alleged after market reverse drum that's available to service this pos transmission.

BTW - power top hasn't operated since 85k miles, fuel filler cap failed to vent causing "Maintain Engine" light since 60k miles, and now I think the water pump seal is leaking at 92k miles.

If I could, I'd douse this car in gas, light it, and roll it thru the dealers front plate glass window while it was burning.

This is one life long BMW car and motorcycle guy that ain't any longer.

Originally Posted by bmwhd1

This is one life long BMW car and motorcycle guy that ain't any longer.

My Jeep Cherokee trans grenaded completely at 50k miles. Stuff happens to all cars. BTW, your waterpump has an internal rubber o-ring and shouldn't leak, it is very rare.

Based on responses so far, failure occurs about 19% of the time up to 100k miles.

After 100k miles it jumps to 27% (adding all responses w/ >100k miles).