325ix tranny failure.. maybe

[jlouki01]

I recently picked up an 89 325ix. PO said the tranny was bad but was able to back the car up to the tow truck. I got it home and started driving it around a little and didn't notice anything other than a loud whining sound around the tranny. After a few miles I noticed if I got into the gas a bit without letting the tranny lock into 2nd gear I would get some slipping past 2k RPM. If i'm easy on the car i have no issues and it shifts like a cadillac. Afraid to put any time on it since I don't want to break down.

Note: Whining sound stops when I put it into gear.

Before I go tearing into this thing replacing a tranny or some other part any ideas?

[Jaxx_]

you don't even mention if the car is automatic or manual... I'm assuming it's automatic?

Slippage usually means that the transmission is on the way out. I've never driven an automatic e30 so I don't know the behavior of the locking mechanism of the torque converters, but that may be the issue.

You probably need to be more specific about the "whining sound."