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e39 and general auto tranny ?s

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    #1

    e39 and general auto tranny ?s

    My dad just picked up a 97 528i auto with 130k on the clock. When he brought it home there were no problems, but on our 500 mile trip to michigan the torque convertor would not lock up. There should have been a trans light on the dash because the computer read a fault code for lock up convertor and trans slipping 255 times. I speculate the dealer, or PO unhooked the light for a quick sale (he got it cheap).

    A bmw tech seems to think that the life span for bmw automatics is around 80-120k miles and says that our 130k auto has served its time and should be replaced. This seems a bit sketchy to me as the auto in our 85 e28 has 280k on it and shifts perfectly. My sisters 318ti (with the gm trans) has 230k and no problems. I dont know about the newer stuff. Anyone have any input? Heard similar things?
    Old and improved:
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    #2
    as if BM would produce a box which gave up that soon, the guy sounds like he was money grabbing!
    ///M Inside

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      #3
      Re: e39 and general auto tranny ?s

      Originally posted by EtaSport
      A bmw tech seems to think that the life span for bmw automatics is around 80-120k miles and says that our 130k auto has served its time and should be replaced. This seems a bit sketchy to me as the auto in our 85 e28 has 280k on it and shifts perfectly. My sisters 318ti (with the gm trans) has 230k and no problems. I dont know about the newer stuff. Anyone have any input? Heard similar things?
      I would somewhat agree if the transmission has not been serviced in its lifetime, however, those newer BMW transmission have "life-time" oil and you are not supposed to service them. How long does the local dealer say "life-time" is? 100k. This is partly the reason I do not like new cars, they are not designed to last. They are ment to be used for a few years and dumped. Older cars were built much better.

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        #4
        Based on the dozens of letters in Roundel concerning the lifespan of late model BMWs' auto trannies, your mechanic seems right. They really do just have a normal lifespan of 80-120Kmi. Of course there's some exceptions, depending on which model and how it's driven. I don't doubt that people have gotten well over 150K on the original auto tranny, but then again look what happened to all those early X5 3.0 autos.
        If you plan on keeping the car for awhile, I'd vote to get the tranny rebuilt or replaced with a very low mileage one.

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          #5
          Maybe i was wrong then

          I thought Manufacturers these days realised many cars covered 200k +
          ///M Inside

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            #6
            Torque converter lock up is a common issue on E39s. There are service bulletins about this. Tell your BMW tech to get his act together.
            Adam Fogg- '88 M3

            Common sense- It's the new 'gifted'

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              #7
              my auto has 160k now, no problems so far. it won't see 170k though.. (hopefully)

              I do agree that older cars were built better, quality seems to mean something else these days..
              Build thread

              Bimmerlabs

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                #8
                E30 and E39 automatic trannies are completely different in terms of design, so just because an E30 tranny lasts 200k doesn't mean that all BMWs are that way.

                '86 325 2.8i stroker - Arctic Blue
                '11 328i Sports Wagon - LeMans Blue
                Strictly Eta

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                  #9
                  Sounds like that trans lasted its lifetime. I have seen them go as soon as 45k. I think one issue with the transmisson is this so called "lifetime" trans fluid. If you do replace it make sure you have the dealer reprogram the EGS (Trans Control Module) with the lastest software. There are alot of issues cleared up with just reprograming of the EGS on newer BMW's.

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                    #10
                    Well i searched around and found many people with the exact same problem. Some with even fewer miles. I just didnt find a solution other than taking the trans out and replacing. The car shifts just fine, only no '5th' gear. And it didn't have a problem when he drove it home from PA.

                    The only thing about buying a used car is that you can never know the amount of maintanence the car recieves. I do know that it was a 2 owner, was at a dealer for its 50k service, and at 80-85k, but did not go to a dealer again until 1314XX which is the milage it had on it when we bought it. This leads me to believe he knew he had a problem, the dealer told him how much it would cost, he pulled the trans light, then traded it on a benz at this jerky dealership.
                    Old and improved:

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