AT issue

I have a 96 238i AT. Just after starting it up and while still cold the transmission engages violently from a stop. This happens mostly in colder weather 55 degrees and below for the first 3-5 mins of driving. All the other gear shifts are fine but from a standstill even with mild aceleration the transmission jerks sometimes making the tires churp. Is my tranny on the way out?

ruh row 328i im assuming is what you meant anddd in all honesty not sounding good big guy
http://mercedessource.com/node/7631
read this over tell us what it sounds like the most and just make sure you get a proper diagnosis before you go and dump a couple grand on a tranny

Warning; shameless plug about to commence.

Want a 5 speed swap kit?, want it installed in a barn in Rockbridge county?, PM me for details.

Originally Posted by miles_trail

Warning; shameless plug about to commence.

Want a 5 speed swap kit?, want it installed in a barn in Rockbridge county?, PM me for details.

I am suddenly feeling nostalgic for Rockbridge county, VA.

OP: Your transmission needs help, asap.

what kind of help? are we talking a simple fix like vacuum leak or are we talking rebuild/replacement. How long have i got left?

how long does it have left. no clue. what is needs: replacing...

Originally Posted by 8355adam

what kind of help? are we talking a simple fix like vacuum leak or are we talking rebuild/replacement. How long have i got left?

Shes slipping pretty bad by the sound of it either try and do a fluid change and wait and see what happens would be my suggestion i mean if it doesn't go away after that it obviously has to be rebuilt mileage on tranny would help as well

182k on it so far.... was expecting to get 200+ out of her, and hoping for 250k. For the past 4 years it has done mostly long distance highway miles so not too much stress on the tranny.

I don't know enough about Auto transmissions to really help, but if I had to guess it is the torque converter.

is that like the clutch in a MT...if so i think you might be right it acts as if a MT driver is not releasing the clutch early enough and then does it too fast.

Sort of, yes. That analogy is close enough. It may not need a full rebuild, but I'm not sure.

Correct. I would guess its the torque converter. However, there are many things inside that could be warn.
It is possible that changing the fluid will help, its also possible that changing the fluid will make it worse. This is because, its already warn and having nice fresh slippery oil will only make it slip more.
Personally: I would start with a flush and fill and see how it goes. If it fails, then do a 5 speed swap. If you don't like a MT, then find a used AT, and swap that in.
There is no telling how long a used transmission will last.

best of luck.

Torque converter: A type of fluid coupling, hydraulically connecting the engine to the transmission. It takes the place of a mechanical clutch, allowing the transmission to stay in gear and the engine to remain running while the vehicle is stationary, without stalling. A torque converter differs from a fluid coupling, in that it provides a variable amount of torque multiplication at low engine speeds, increasing breakaway acceleration. This is accomplished with a third member in the coupling assembly known as the stator, and by altering the shapes of the vanes inside the coupling in such a way as to curve the fluid's path into the stator. The stator captures the kinetic energy of the transmission fluid, in effect using the leftover force of it to enhance torque multiplication.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission

Hopefully it is just the TC that needs replacing if so how much approx for this? Also, if need to replace the whole thing either AT or MT then approx how much for this... I dont know enough about big time repairs like this to do it myself. Would like to keep the car as long as possible but it would be stupid to spend $xxxxx on it when its only worth $2-3k tops. ..... I dont mind AT or MT this is my girlfriends car that will officially be mine along with my E90 MT if you see what i mean.

do not flush the fluid do not do a chemical flush do not do not do not
just replace the fluid and the filter a tranny swap will be in the 3k ball park if your not doing it yourself torque converter will be less however the Converters attached to the flywheel at the front of the tranny so you'd have to drop the tranny regardless just start with a filter and oil change
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...Fluid_Auto.htm

at the moment i can put up with it for the first few mins of it acting up. then it is fine after that. Any longer term damage to be worried about waiting for a complete failure to replace?

The torque converter is slipping, either because it's on the way out, or the transmission is low on fluid. Either way, you are doing severe damage by continuing to drive it like this. I highly recommend a fluid & filter change to see if that fixes it. If you continue to drive it, you run the risk of killing your transmission simply because you didn't change the fluid, which would be pretty unfortunate.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

The torque converter is slipping, either because it's on the way out, or the transmission is low on fluid. Either way, you are doing severe damage by continuing to drive it like this. I highly recommend a fluid & filter change to see if that fixes it. If you continue to drive it, you run the risk of killing your transmission simply because you didn't change the fluid, which would be pretty unfortunate.

Couldn't put it better do the fluid its a relatively cheap fix get the right stuff too Listed Belowwwwwww

__________________________________________________ _________________
Area Fluid Tools Recommended

Transmission Redline Synthetic
D4-ATF
2 quarts - 17mm open end wrench
- 17mm socket & wrench
- hand pump

Differential Redline Synthetic
75W-90
2 quarts - 14mm allen hex-head socket & breaker bar
- hand pump

Brake ATE Super Blue
1 liter - 7mm open end wrench
- Brake bleeder (one man units save time!)

Engine Oil Mobil 1 Synthetic
15W-50 - 17mm open end (for drain plug)
- 13mm socket & wrench (to remove oil filter lid)

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

Originally Posted by petriej

I am suddenly feeling nostalgic for Rockbridge county, VA.

OP: Your transmission needs help, asap.

Are you from around here originally?.

Originally Posted by 8355adam

Hopefully it is just the TC that needs replacing if so how much approx for this? Also, if need to replace the whole thing either AT or MT then approx how much for this... I dont know enough about big time repairs like this to do it myself. Would like to keep the car as long as possible but it would be stupid to spend $xxxxx on it when its only worth $2-3k tops. ..... I dont mind AT or MT this is my girlfriends car that will officially be mine along with my E90 MT if you see what i mean.

If you take it to a real shop it'll probably run around $3000 for a manual swap.
I'll sell you the gearbox, driveshaft, pedals, support, and all the hydrodraulics for $500.
I'll do the labor for $600 so you'd just need to buy (or give me money to buy) a clutch kit of your choice, trans mounts, a giubo, and a diff (I have a 2.93 open slip that I'll sell for $150 if you want)

I grew up in Richmond county, on the Rappahannock river. Went to school at VT, though, so I passed through Rockbridge more than a few times. Got a speeding ticket on I81 when they were building that bridge. Had to go to Rockbridge County Court

Originally Posted by petriej

I grew up in Richmond county, on the Rappahannock river. Went to school at VT, though, so I passed through Rockbridge more than a few times. Got a speeding ticket on I81 when they were building that bridge. Had to go to Rockbridge County Court

Ha ha, nice. If you come back any time soon don't speed because we just got a new court house so they don't let much slide anymore .

I too was having that same problem but in a 325i with a 4l30e tranny! so i rebuilt it in living room and found that the overrun piston seal had rolled over into the servo bore causing a bad internal leak! torque converters when they go its like your in nuetral no matter what. if your tranny is a 4l30e you can get a rebuild kit from ebay for about $200 and Hans verhoeven has a complete online step by step rebuild with pics! but it sounds to me like a servo piston not getting enough pressure or a low gear band adjustment. just my nickels worth.

Driving your car in such a state would be like letting your dog walk around with a broken leg. Every minute more will make things far worse. Eventually you will wind up putting her down. Take it to a reputable shop today or swap it up or dump it. Just my. 02 cents.

This has been said, but I concur. Don't write it off until you have changed the fluid and the filter. Redline D4 is expensive, but I believe worth it. After the initial change there should be some improvement. Follow up after about 50-100 miles by draining through the drain plug) and add more new fluid (the same quantity as you just drained).
If things seem better you need to drain it at least once more. This will have you where you have more new fluid than old (considering the TC and all). NEVER believe this stuff about lifetime fluid. Redline might be close, but automatic transmissions are very complex devices that need maintenance also. I change mine once a year, with filter. I have yet to replace or rebuild an A/T. (Opps...did I say that out loud...knock on wood!!)