Transmission Tech Report

[peerless]

From: Quality & Service Engineer @ dealers.bmwna.com

Subject: GM5 Transmission Delayed Shift Problem

Vehicles:
'03/'04(up to 11/03) E46 with M54 and GM5 Trans. 325iA, 325XiA, 330XiA, and from 03/03 325A/330A Coupe,Convertible, '03/04 (up to 12/03)E53 X5 3.0 with GM5 Trans.

Situation:
Excessively long delay (5-30 seconds) in gear engagement from Park to Drive on the first cold start. Problem occurs only once a day on the initial start-up.

Cause:
Unfavorable tolerances of forward clutch housing causing internal transmission pressure leak after overnight parking.

Service Fix:
Replacement of defective Transmission with updated unit.
--------------------------------------------

I heard someone complain of this problem,
so there you are. Call your local dealer and get your new transmission.

Robert
85' 325e

[Charlie]

Um..

I don't think BMW produced too many '03 & early '04 Model year e30's.

For some reason, I imagine bringing a 20 year old slushbox car into the dealer and asking for a new tranny would probably not produce the desired results.

-Charlie

[peerless]

Charlie,

Although this post maybe for older E30 owners, some of those owners may also
own a newer BMW as well. You will also notice that all years and models affected
where listed.

I was just being a nice guy and forwarding General BMW Tech information to the communityat large. If you are against that I am sorry for you as a moderator. As the larger BMW community may find it useful.

I will refrain from making further posts regarding factory TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins)

Respectfully,

Robert
85' 325e
Factory BMW Parts Technician

[Charlie]

Charlie,

Although this post maybe for older E30 owners, some of those owners may also
own a newer BMW as well. You will also notice that all years and models affected
where listed.

I was just being a nice guy and forwarding General BMW Tech information to the communityat large. If you are against that I am sorry for you as a moderator. As the larger BMW community may find it useful.

I will refrain from making further posts regarding factory TSB's (Technical Service Bulletins)

Respectfully,

Robert
85' 325e
Factory BMW Parts Technician

I've got no problems with TSB's being posted, I just don't see any years of e30's or any other car that shares the e30 tranny being posted.

-Charlie

[peerless]

To be honest I had never noticed that this was an E30 Only Bulltetin Board until you
posted your response. My bad for that. But nontheless I still hope that people here will
appreciate the information regardless.

My bad for being testy, just trying to give out information that might prove useful to someone.

Robert
85' 325e

[Rob]

post this on DTMpower.net, there's a ton of e46 guys one there

[James Crivellone]

my e30 auto tranny works fine, even after me beating the hell out of it and 197,000 miles


then again its ZF and not GM ;)