 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  08-03-2010, 12:06 AM | #1 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 10 |  Looking to buy an Automatic TI...
So I am looking to buy an automatic TI as a commuter car and have a couple of questions.
How reliable is the TI slush box? The cars I am looking at have about 112K-120K miles on them. Should I be concerned about failure if maintenance is unknown? Are there suspect sounds/behaviors that I should look for?
Can the early model (95/96) auto gear selector (L-shaped) be easily swapped out with the later model (97/98) (knob/stick) style gear selector.
Note that I currently own an e30 318is and am failry handy with M42/M44 engines, suspensions, transmissions, etc however this would be my first automatic BMW so I am a bit weary.
Thanks in advance. |  |  | | 08-03-2010, 10:30 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MD/PA/DC Posts: 1,629 |
There are VB issues with the 2-3 upshift. Cruising at highway speeds, hammer it (so it downshifts to 2nd) and see if it slips when trying to shift into 3rd. That being said, mine was doing it, a fluid change and some lucas trans treatment seems to have fixed that. 118K on mine, and the car has been poorly maintained. (three motors and 3 owners in less than two years) __________________  No more ti. | | | | | 08-04-2010, 08:20 PM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Burlington, NJ Posts: 560 |
See below in red. Quote: Originally Posted by Flat5six  So I am looking to buy an automatic TI as a commuter car and have a couple of questions.
How reliable is the TI slush box? The cars I am looking at have about 112K-120K miles on them. Should I be concerned about failure if maintenance is unknown? Are there suspect sounds/behaviors that I should look for?
If the car is shifting correctly at operating temp, chances are nothing is wrong, but remember it's a used car. That being said I bought mine with 138K miles and I'm now at 178K miles, no auto trans issues.
Can the early model (95/96) auto gear selector (L-shaped) be easily swapped out with the later model (97/98) (knob/stick) style gear selector.
No, you have to swap the whole mechanical shifter mechanism.
Note that I currently own an e30 318is and am failry handy with M42/M44 engines, suspensions, transmissions, etc however this would be my first automatic BMW so I am a bit weary.
Thanks in advance. | __________________ 1996 318ti - 2000 Z3 2.3 - 2012 MINI Cooper Hatchback  | | | | | 08-04-2010, 09:05 PM | #4 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 10 |
Thanks for the advice on testing out the automatic as well as whether the gear shift lever can be upgraded.
One other question I have is whether to go with an M42 or M44 based car. My 318is has the M42 engine which has been fairly bullet proof. The M44 is a bit larger in displacement (1.9 vs 1.8) however I am wondering if it is less reliable in any way. | | | | | 08-05-2010, 03:51 AM | #5 | | Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Greenville,SC Posts: 18 |
I bought my automatic 2 weeks ago. I can't advise about reliability, but it drives amazingly good. I had a brand new 97 318i automatic, and I don't remember it accelerating this well. Maybe there is a weight difference. 134k miles | | | | | 09-13-2010, 02:32 PM | #6 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 9 |
If you're still looking for an Auto ti, have some patience and I will have mine built in a few weeks. I am putting in the new engine now. I have to replace the driver's regulator and install the new noise system and it will be ready to leave my garage. The slushbox is in great shape for starters. I R&Red the Struts and Tires. Now with the engine it will get the new Radiator and all of the needed hoses, waterpump and stat. And I will put REAL lubricant in it. Not the water the factory uses to increase their CAFE numbers.
This little toy is fun and a good car. Especially for auto-cross (if you can find one). It is just too little for my frame.
Let me know if you are interested and I will keep you posted; otherwise, have a geat week. | | | | | 10-25-2010, 12:09 AM | #7 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 10 |
Do you still have your car for sale? I am still looking for an automatic TI. thanks.
Misha | | | | | 10-25-2010, 02:09 PM | #8 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 9 |  The car is available...
I am installing another engine right now. I will be finished with it this weekend. The car only has 104K, but the radiator blew all of the coolant on a really hot day and my daughter didn't see the very bright flashing red light telling her to stop until the engine wouldn't keep up to 70. She finally stopped talking with her friend and looked down. Too Late!!!
The good news is the new engine is complete and is documented to only have 43K on it. | | | | | 10-25-2010, 05:29 PM | #9 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 10 |
Well when you get everything sorted out then let me know. Can you provide some general specifics about the car. Color interior/exterior, condition, history, etc. thanks | | | | |
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