[Pedal2Floor]

Anyone seen these articles? Also, there is apparently a complaint to NHSTA as well but I can't seem to find it.

http://blogs.automotive.com/1011257/...nts/index.html

Link to Consumer Affairs Article: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...nsmission.html

Not that any of these complaints new to members of this board nor is the lack of acknowlegement from BMW.

"According to Consumer Affairs, it is getting multiple complaints of transmission failure from BMW 3-Series, X3, and X5 owners. The complaints range from their vehicle hesitating or simply refusing to go into reverse. Costs for the repairs can easily exceed $4,000.

Yet what really outrage owners is BMW’s nonchalance attitude towards their problems. The automaker, which recently reported record-setting sales in 2006, states that, because vehicles break down due to normal wear and tear, feels it does not have to give “…an estimated life expectancy for components or parts of a vehicle,” and thus has made no attempt to reimburse the owners. It also states it’s unaware of any widespread issue with its vehicles' transmission.

Our take? This issue is a tough one for us to write an opinion. We’ve been aware, as members of the press, of BMW (and many German makes) reliability issues and the quality of dealership service. We hope BMW owners and the company can soon come to a mutually agreed accommodation. Do we foresee BMW earning a reputation similar to the old Detroit Three’s vehicles reliability? No. We foresee other luxury automakers, though, viewing BMW’s dismissal as a possible tarnished spot in its “Ultimate” reputation."

[CirrusSR22]

Yet another reason to buy a manual transmission Seriously though, there are stories of transmission issues with EVERY make of car.

Something funny from BMW AG. "We are unaware of any widespread concern regarding the transmission. However, the actual length of life of any given vehicle part is dependent on a number of factors including care, maintenance, use, and climate,"

This coming from a company that says going 300,000 miles on the same transmission fluid is just fine! They essentially say DON'T do maintenance to your transmission, but also say the life of it will depend on you DOING maintenance!

RE: Katie from Raleigh. Personally, I wouldn't be "floored" if an auto transmission failed after 100,000 miles. It's fairly common for an auto to fail before 100,000.

[JackMac]

Could not find any recent complaints on NHTSA either. Three were a handfull back in 2004, and it was investigated. Mostly about not going into "D".

NHTSA Action Number: NHTSA Recall Campaign Number:
DP04001 N/A
Make: BMW Model: 330I
Manufacturer : BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Year : 2004
Component :
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Date Investigation Opened : February 3, 2004
Date Investigation Closed : May 27, 2004

[The Cleaner]

There is a percentage of all systems that fail early, I have seen them go for 200K as well.

[The Cleaner]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

This coming from a company that says going 300,000 miles on the same transmission fluid is just fine! They essentially say DON'T do maintenance to your transmission, but also say the life of it will depend on you DOING maintenance!

I have not seen BMW state that specificly, they do say the fluid is lifetime. Not a human lifetime. Lifetime is the lifetime of the transmission and I think that is were BMW may not be very clear.

[stubenhocker]

Anyone care to quantify multiple? A percentage perhaps?
The article tries to convey the impression that it is a universal problem with slushbox equipped BMW's. The article fails to give any scale to the actual failure rate! IT should be noted that these occurred after warranty expired! All of this paddle shifting nonsense is a contributor IMHO. If you want to shift, get the manual!

[Majikthese42]

I looked in the latest Consumer Reports guide, and there's nothing on the 3 series, X3 or X5 reliability history under transmissions that jumps off the page. (Unlike the Acura TL and Honda Odyssey -- that have multiple black dots under "transmission".)

If you sell enough cars, somebody is going to be unhappy with something breaking.

I also have to agree that one sure way to avoid automatic transmission problems is to drive a manual.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Yet another reason to buy a manual transmission

Amen!

[texasturner]

+1

[ages944]

eh, why worry about the tranny? I'd be more concerned about the engine oil and that ridiculous sensor we have. I've already had mine replaced once. Too much or too little oil in the engine and all of a sudden the transmission issue will be moot.

[texasturner]

I plan to change my oil every 5k so I doubt I will run out of oil

[ENINTY]

Worst of all the new 6-speed auto trans is sourced from GM. Lovely.

[texasturner]

On the 328 it is but the 335 trans is German

[johnc_22]

Thinking about a 3-series and reading all I can . . . this is my first post here.

I laughed about this Consumer Affairs piece. It is almost identical in tone to a similar article on the same site regarding the SAAB 9-3SS. It reads like a tabloid, local news hit piece. They interview a VERY limited sample of BMW/SAAB owners who happened to have problems with their cars and as the uninformed reader you walk away with the thought "wow, those cars must REALLY be unreliable."

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by johnc_22

Thinking about a 3-series and reading all I can . . . this is my first post here.

Reading all you can is a great start. Everyone will have their nightmare stories and their dream machine praises. The hard part is sorting it out and as long as you make a decision with your eyes open, you will be prepared to deal with whatever comes your way. I did the same when I bought my Jetta and have loved it ever since with all it's 'intricacies' as well with the BMW. I've been a fan of German engineering for some time and will now continue that love affair with a new E92.
Good luck!

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Worst of all the new 6-speed auto trans is sourced from GM. Lovely.

GM Europe.

[dme330i]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Worst of all the new 6-speed auto trans is sourced from GM. Lovely.

Historically, GM autos have been world-class. They are extremely durable and shift very crisply.

No doubt, BMW did their homework when sourcing this transmission.

[ages944]

Yeah, the GM transmission is actually built in France, with each car manufacturer assigning their own final specifications to it. So, we effectively have a BMW spec, GM tranny.

[401FlaGATOR]

check out this link:

This is a series of posting from owners of 3 series with no reverse.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...bmw_trans.html

The list is quite large, I just hope the problem is relegated to only the 2000MY.

If this is true then can't drive this car out of warranty..

[user1]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Worst of all the new 6-speed auto trans is sourced from GM. Lovely.

Why is it "wrost of all" that the trans is made by a GM division? GM transmissions are used by many manufacturers around the world because they are known to be some of the best available.

Also, the "new 6-speed auto trans" is made by ZF. It shifts in under 100 milliseconds & currently used in the 335.