mikep
10-05-2004, 01:56 AM
I just bought a 1995 318ti automatic (a/t), with only 88,000mi; only to find that 2-3 shift is slipping badly.
I had the car scanned at the local BMW dealer to find the there are no fault codes and that the dealer recommends a/t replacement at an estimated cost of $4000.
After calling around, I located a remaunfactured transmission at Momentum BMW, Houston, Tx for approx $2000 less shipping with 1 year warranty.
A local BMW independant mechanic recommeded a salvage a/t from California
with 27K mi for $2100. The mechanic thought a salvaged, low miles a/t would be more reliable then a new rebuild.
In that I have only owned the car less then a week and I am staring at a heavy price for a remanufactured or salvaged transmsssion I am looking for some good advice.
I am really shocked that this is a problem on such a low mileage car, 88K.
When I test drove the car, it drove fine; then a three hour trip on the highway; after coming off the freeway I noticed the 2-3 gear shift slip (an over rev on shifting, then a bump into gear- only on the 2-3 shift). Of course I bought the car as is.
After scaning the car; the BMW dealer checked the a/t fluid level- it appeared that the trans had just had fluid added and it was wet around the add plug. Likely that the seller new something was amiss with the trans.
Needless to say, at the moment I am not very confident in evaluating a BMW nor making the correct repair decisions. I have owned Honda's for the past 20 yrs, so this is a first for me, I love the way the car drives- but this transmission problem is a shock.
Any recvommendations would be appreciated.
o Can the trans be reapaired at the franchise transmission shops, Amaaco, etc.??
o Is a low mileage salvage trans a better bet then a remanufactured trans?
o Should a salavage trans come with a warranty?
r/ Mike P
I had the car scanned at the local BMW dealer to find the there are no fault codes and that the dealer recommends a/t replacement at an estimated cost of $4000.
After calling around, I located a remaunfactured transmission at Momentum BMW, Houston, Tx for approx $2000 less shipping with 1 year warranty.
A local BMW independant mechanic recommeded a salvage a/t from California
with 27K mi for $2100. The mechanic thought a salvaged, low miles a/t would be more reliable then a new rebuild.
In that I have only owned the car less then a week and I am staring at a heavy price for a remanufactured or salvaged transmsssion I am looking for some good advice.
I am really shocked that this is a problem on such a low mileage car, 88K.
When I test drove the car, it drove fine; then a three hour trip on the highway; after coming off the freeway I noticed the 2-3 gear shift slip (an over rev on shifting, then a bump into gear- only on the 2-3 shift). Of course I bought the car as is.
After scaning the car; the BMW dealer checked the a/t fluid level- it appeared that the trans had just had fluid added and it was wet around the add plug. Likely that the seller new something was amiss with the trans.
Needless to say, at the moment I am not very confident in evaluating a BMW nor making the correct repair decisions. I have owned Honda's for the past 20 yrs, so this is a first for me, I love the way the car drives- but this transmission problem is a shock.
Any recvommendations would be appreciated.
o Can the trans be reapaired at the franchise transmission shops, Amaaco, etc.??
o Is a low mileage salvage trans a better bet then a remanufactured trans?
o Should a salavage trans come with a warranty?
r/ Mike P