Most ridiculous transmission fix yet! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M CRISIS · 21st July 2006, 04:06

Well life was so good.

And now this.
About 1500 miles ago the car developed a small leak towards the rear of the tranny. (Current mileage - 5400mi) Not a big leak but enough to show up every time I would leave the garage. Besides, it shouldn't leak at all. Finally made an appointment (about 4 wks ago) to have it checked out. "It's a bad crush ring on the filler plug." Not a big deal, thanks. Still leaks.

Take it in 2nd time. "Somehow that ring failed, plus we're suspecting a possible problem where the oil screen cooling fins (or whatever thingy) goes into the tranny but at this point we'll replace the crush ring again and see if that doesn't fix it." OK. Still leaks!

Take it in the 3rd time. "PUMA says to torque it to a lesser amount. Seems like when it's torqued too much the round becomes an oval or the threads are somewhat oversized... or blah, blah blah. We've now tightened it to PUMA specs and it's still leaking". Well I need the car for a 500mi weekend.

"OK, you should be alright since it is a small leak. Bring it back in when you return".
Take it in Tuesday. "We're waiting to get word from PUMA, we'll let you know what they're going to do". WAIT WAIT WAIT

... Thursday afternoon - "Well here's the deal, the leak is somewhere within the oil screen thingy, it has to be replace, this part is not available and BMW is not going to pull one from the assembly line. They tell us to replace the whole transmission!" Say what?

"They want us to replace the whole transmission! You've got to be kidding?? Nope!

So I've brought my car home to regroup. I told them to take all of next week and triple check whether or not they can get that part.
Talk about a drastic fix!

If the tranny is indeed changed out, might I be getting more problems in exchange for one small leak? It's been working perfect. And now for them to rip it out and replace?? I'm starting to go into shock.

unfoundhorsepower · 21st July 2006, 04:34

Well, yes it's silly for them to do such a thing, It sounds like the oil cooler sprung a leak and to do a whole trans for the cooler is how BMW and other high end type vehicle company's work.....It cost them a lot more to do the trans but oh well.....Yes, it is actually MUCH better for you to get the new transmission, it will have any updates they have added and you will get any new software available..SO it will be all right, be patient you will have the newest of new just have the trans serviced after you give it the thrashing to break it in..Good luck , have fun, I hope I helped you out...

mcvaughan · 21st July 2006, 04:48

Unless it's an easy fix, dealers will replace over repair. It's cheaper for them to do this in the long run. Just ask Ashok!

unfoundhorsepower · 21st July 2006, 05:06

Ashok...........He's my IDOL....he should be nicknamed "TRANSMAN 3."...........
Ya BABY>>>>>>>

MEnthusiast · 21st July 2006, 07:36

You are better off with them swapping the whole darn transmission than having them trying to fix problems. I had a very similar thing with the Z8s tranny and the whole thing was replaced and I've had no problems since.

bavarian · 21st July 2006, 19:13

I would suggest you jump at the chance to have the whole transmission replaced. In my experience, replacements are always preferrable to repairs, especially when earlier efforts failed. That way you end up with a factory fresh powertrain, and are unlikely to have future problems (Ashok's experience notwithstanding!).

Ashok Arora · 21st July 2006, 19:36

Thanks for remembering me guys

Third time's the charm (so far!). Go ahead and get it replaced, it doesn't cost you anything and the chances of a malfunction happening again are remote - my car was just freaky

M CRISIS · 21st July 2006, 21:32

It looks like I don't have much of a choice. Now let's see how long it takes to get a new tranny here.
I guess I can stay optimistic about the whole ordeal knowing that I've got 5000 free miles of tranny wear! oooou! So what is the break-in miles? 300??
Another question comes to mind, - will there be software updates with the exchange and if so will I have to get my ECU reflashed at AA?
Thanks guys.

LI-M5 · 21st July 2006, 23:01

it seems like you've gotten yourself into a real m crisis (pun intended).

no really im sorry to hear this might as well let them change the whole damn thing..

M CRISIS · 22nd July 2006, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by LI-M5

it seems like you've gotten yourself into a real m crisis (pun intended).

First my life.... now my car!

I've been monitoring the other thread about clutch wear. Should I make sure service looks closely at mine since they'll have the tranny off anyway?

And still waiting for a response about software updates. Anyone??

M CRISIS · 22nd July 2006, 03:16

Speak about a M Crisis! The word is getting out - I'm DIPSTICKLESS and I have an OILY DISCHARGE!