Transmission Shot. Now what? Opinions?
08-23-2011, 07:07 AM
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My Ride: 2004 525i
1997 318ti - Sold
1990 535i - Gone
Ok so my 2004 525i with 140,000 miles on it needs a new transmission. The dealer wants 7k to replace it. 
I am getting quotes around 2k for a replacement transmission from auto recyclers. One has 26k miles and a 90 day warranty for 2k. Mom says trade it in, friends say keep it. Realistically, ill get 7-8k trade in for my car which doesn't leave much more than Corolla-eqsue cars to pick from. I'm looking for some input from you guys. What do you think I should do?
I am getting quotes around 2k for a replacement transmission from auto recyclers. One has 26k miles and a 90 day warranty for 2k. Mom says trade it in, friends say keep it. Realistically, ill get 7-8k trade in for my car which doesn't leave much more than Corolla-eqsue cars to pick from. I'm looking for some input from you guys. What do you think I should do?
08-23-2011, 07:15 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i
Thats a tricky one, sorry to hear about your transmission. Personally i would do what i can to keep the 5 running and 2k doesnt sound all that bad but you have to factor in labor costs unless your going to do the work yourself. When all is said and done the total amount may not be worth it to you. Does the dealer want 7k for the transmission alone or to install it as well?
08-23-2011, 07:19 AM
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My Ride: 2004 525i
1997 318ti - Sold
1990 535i - Gone
The dealer would install it as well but still, 7k is a hefty price, not to mention I don't want to give the dealer any more money than I have to. They charged me 600 to replace a seal on the transmission that did not even fix the issue! A local transmission shop said they would install it for a couple hundred. I figured if I could beat down the recyclers to about 1,700 for the trans, the most I would be paying for the install is 500. 2,200 wouldn't be a horrible price for a nearly fresh transmission with 26k on it.
def keep the car tho 
08-23-2011, 07:50 AM
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My Ride: E60
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
$2,200 installed isn't bad at all. If it happened to me right now at 79k I'd keep it.
Just wondering did you ever have the transmission serviced?
Just wondering did you ever have the transmission serviced?
08-23-2011, 08:08 AM
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My Ride: 2004 525i
1997 318ti - Sold
1990 535i - Gone
It was my grandpa's car but no, he never had it serviced. Time and time again he would ask BMW to replace the fluid, etc and time and time again BMW said "no, that's lifetime fluid in there". My question is, what is the definition of "lifetime"? Apparently 140k...
Isaiah_Charles, I looked into having it rebuilt as well. I thought it would be cheaper than replacing but almost all the places I went to wanted about 4k to rebuild. I figured, even if the replacement craps out, I could buy another replacement and still be around the same price as a rebuild.
Isaiah_Charles, I looked into having it rebuilt as well. I thought it would be cheaper than replacing but almost all the places I went to wanted about 4k to rebuild. I figured, even if the replacement craps out, I could buy another replacement and still be around the same price as a rebuild.
08-23-2011, 08:11 AM
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Ahhhh, the dreaded lifetime fluid slogan. From what I read from various forums, the lifetime span now is down to 100k. May be it has to do with length of their cpo warranty.
According to ZF, the manufacturer of the tranny, it is recommended that the fluid be changed at 50k interval, I believe.
According to ZF, the manufacturer of the tranny, it is recommended that the fluid be changed at 50k interval, I believe.
08-23-2011, 08:21 AM
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My Ride: E60
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
Lifetime right now is 100k which is conveniently when all free extended maintenance ends... I pretty much just cut BMW's recommenced service intervals in half and have an independent do the fluid changes.