BMW 316-New Gearbox £4000.00!? Does this sound right on a 7yr old car with low mileage (less than 50k miles?)

[SamF]

My parents have a 7 year old, 316 BMW, it has under 50,000 miles on the clock and BMW have said that it requires a new gearbox which is to the tune of FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS!!

They bought the BMW around 4 years ago and it has full BMW service history (they too have had it serviced by BMW).  They do very little mileage and whilst taking a longer trip, they broke down.  On further discovery both 'belts' were frayed and had come off?  They hadnt snapped off, they had just come off.

The reason they bought a BMW in the first place is because they (like me) always thought BMWs were reliable, comfortable, long lasting, dependable car etc etc.

Surely a 7 year old car with such low mileage shouldn't be needing a new gearbox??  It just doesnt seem right?? At first they said the problem was something else and that it would cost £800 to fix (that was shock enough) but now they have come back and said this.

Can anyone help please?

[OILiberalsNO]

Don't take it a BMW main dealer take it to a Gearbox specialist instead

[MTK]

Take it to a gearbox specialist----non franchised---that sounds an awful lot of money-------you should be able to get it fully reconditioned for half that amount

[ColinM]

I agree, find a gearbox specialist, they know transmissions inside out and will be able to rebuild it for substantially less.



This is standard main dealer "fix by replacing" tactics: to be fair the technicians often aren't allowed the time to really get to grips with a problem.  The company wants it in, fixed, out and charged for asap.



While you're at it, if you hunt around I'd bet you could find an independent local BMW specialist who understands the cars and can give yours a good once-over at decent rates - they don't have suits and expensive premises to maintain.

[Snowie]

Many US E46 323i and 323ci (1999-2000) had problems with their steptronic transmissions... and needed whole transmission replacement costing US$6000. The problem was due to BMW's claim of using "lifetime fill" transmission fluid that really doesn't last near a "lifetime". Eventually, this fluid breaks down causing transmission failure. This however usually happen around 100,000 miles.



With your parents car, because they bought it used, the transmission could have been badly abused by the previous owner. It's less common to see manual transmisssion failing compared to auto transmission; and with a relatively "mild" engine of the 316i, it makes it even less likely to fail.



Also, if the belts were to be worn so badly that they frayed, it means whoever who did the maintenance on the car did not do a good job or that your parents have skipped a service or two.



Get a 2nd opinion anyhow and move on from there. If a transmission is really needed, it can cost a lot less if you had procured one from a salvage yard instead.

[drey]

dang! 4g's!?? thats too much...u can find someone 4 less

[Stefireblade]

Even the mighty BMW make mistakes always worth a second opinion, you could get a full salvage car for that, try ebay or the salvage links they call you from all over the country with what they have.

good luck

[lee]

Second opinion time, gearbox shouldn't be shot yet.

[edgarl]

Sounds about right. BMW are lovely desireable cars, but premature failure of gearbox and axle are not uncommon.  I know of one that had a gearbox and a differential in the first 6 months.  Try an independent specialist.