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100k+ miles on a 15-year-old car means it will eventually break down. When I sold my 2005 Audi A4 2.0 Turbo diesel in 2012, the vehicle had 162k miles on it. I had to sell it since the entire cooling system, as well as the automatic windows and several electronic components, needed to be replaced. If they are consistently maintained and serviced, the gearbox and engine are typically the parts of the car that last the longest. Before the engine and gearbox start, various parts will need to be replaced.
In terms of manual vs. automatic. Compared to automation, manual maintenance is more affordable in the event of issues. However, you will have a lot of issues with the gears themselves if the manual automobile is driven poorly. Given that the vehicle is 15 years old, I would advise having the clutch replaced as soon as possible after you get it. The drive will be more comfortable. Because automatic is a closed system and more complex than manual, repairs are more expensive for automatic. Additionally, manual transmissions have access to more aftermarket parts than automatic transmissions. (Examples: gear, clutch, lever, etc.)
Additionally, I want to remind you that BMWs are poor cars. You need to look after the, um. I currently drive a 2014 X5, and because of the cold, I had to have the electronic air suspension parts updated. (Under -10°F)
I think it’s bad idea to change the clutch right away after purchasing. You are unsure of whether it has ever been changed. And if there are no issues regardless, why would you do it? In either case, manual transmissions are less expensive to repair.
An early 1990s Nissan SR20DE’s 5th gear popout required an expensive repair. On a 2004 Corolla, replacing the auto was less expensive than having the transmission repaired. What is less expensive depends significantly on the circumstances of the repair.
In a word, no. There is no evidence to suggest that BMW automatic transmissions are generally more or less dependable than their manual counterparts. The number of secondhand BMWs for sale with more than 200k miles alone implies that serious drivetrain issues are not frequent.
The particular transmission generation has a significant impact on specific circumstances of transmission reliability. There was a Honda Accord generation that had significant gearbox issues, but that doesn’t really say anything about the dependability of Honda Accord transmissions in other generations. The same can be said of many different car brands and models, and I’m certain that BMW fits this description.
To be more specific, the E46 autos in 1999 and 2000 had issues with the reverse light going out, but this was subsequently fixed, and no significant failure rates were noted in newer E46s. When you look at the car, if it has reverse, you’re probably in excellent shape because that usual problem occurred way before 100k miles.
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The Benefits
#1: In general, manual-transmission vehicles can be up to $1000 less expensive than their automatic-transmission counterparts. You will undoubtedly pay a little less for a BMW if you choose a manual transmission over an automatic.
#2: In the long term, maintaining and repairing cars with manual gearboxes are typically less expensive. The cost of replacing the clutch, which is the pedal used to change speeds, would be half that of replacing an automatic transmission, even if you could someday need to pay for it.
#3: In terms of longevity, manual transmissions will nearly always outperform automated transmissions. Although manual transmissions typically survive longer, BMW automatic transmissions are known for their high quality construction.
#4: More control is the best benefit we’ve saved for last. Vehicle control and reactivity are better for drivers of cars with manual transmissions. This is particularly true when motorists encounter hazardous road conditions, such as rain, mud, and snow. With a manual transmission, you may feel completely in charge of your vehicle. Additionally, they are far more enjoyable and essential if you want to track it.
Alpine300ZHP
Hmmm. In my opinion, no. An auto tranny will never be more dependable or less expensive to fix than a 6MT. I do concur that the more recent ZF units appear to be considerably more reliable than the ones created before 2007. As a past owner of a 6MT 535, I can attest to the reliability of the 6MT, but due to the car’s size and weight, the 8-speed auto is a better fit for it and offers superior fuel efficiency.
Why “Lifetime” Doesn’t Actually Mean “Lifetime” in BMW’s “Lifetime” Automatic Transmission Fill
Increased service intervals have been the norm in the automotive industry, and this is true for all manufacturers, not just BMW, in an effort to artificially lower the cost of ownership. The problem with this is that it has been shown that certain intervals are harmful to the long-term dependability and lifespan of the concerned vehicles. With BMW automatic transmissions, this is the situation.
In case you didn’t know, BMW does not make its own transmissions. Instead, the two main manufacturers of automatic transmissions for BMW automobiles are General Motors and ZF. We should, and do, trust the information provided by these companies above the car manufacturer because they have engineered and developed these transmissions. Both of these transmission manufacturers have their own unique service recommendations on how their transmissions should be maintained.
If the price is appropriate, I’ll consider an automatic gearbox, but I want to get into a m3, so I’m wondering how trustworthy these transmissions are.
It is incredibly dependable, possibly even more so than the 6 speed The transmission has held up nicely over time and 150k+ miles are typical. Though not quite as quick as the most recent PDK/DCT transmissions, it comes close.
I had no idea that the manual had synchro problems, and I’m currently experiencing them with a 300zx I own.
The DCT is reportedly more dependable than the 6MT. With stock clutches, owners have covered 200–300k miles. However, because the DCT oil pan is made of plastic, it is prone to leakage over time.
It is incredibly dependable, possibly even more so than the 6 speed. The transmission has held up nicely over time and 150k+ miles are typical. Although it’s not quite as quick as the most recent PDK/DCT transmissions, it’s close.
The 6MT is very dependable and is also considerably simpler and less expensive to fix when there is a problem.
Since the N54 shares the same gearbox as the 6 speed, there are a lot of gently used units available for purchase even though I don’t believe the 6 speed has spare components for sale (synchros).
The bell housings for the I6 and V8 are different. I’m not sure how difficult it would be to switch them. The output flanges could also be different, but they are simple to switch.
When I initially installed DCT on my M3, especially with the GTS flash, I was in love. But over the following few months, I noticed that I was growing bored with it (especially if driving slowly or regularly), and I truly began to miss 6mt.
Since the dct was down, labor naturally accounted for the majority of replacing all the seals, pans, filters, fluid, etc. kept the original clutch kit because it contains an extra 2,500 parts.
That is a wonderful question, but I couldn’t answer it because I have a 6MT instead of a vagina.
Ours has a DCT, but because my wife has a vagina and it’s her DD, I suppose that’s okay. (And the One Lap of America team has claimed that it can gain up to two seconds per lap over the 6MT when used on unknown tracks.)
I can completely agree that the DCT is fantastic as a fellow owner of an E92 and a Z32. In comparison to the FS5R30A that comes with the Z, it will be vastly superior.
As the owner of an e92 m3 with a dct, a z33, and syncro difficulties as well, I can attest that third gear on my 350Z requires gentle caressing and insertion.
BMW ZF gearboxes are they dependable?
The ZF 8-speed transmission is highly dependable, as was already said. Internal issues have been rare in the over 10 years it has been in operation, and most of them have been user-related. The occasional fluid leak is the item to watch out for. The oil cooler connections and the Mechatronic sleeve are the two potential leakage sources.
How can I tell if the transmission in my BMW is damaged?
- Rusty Idling and Smells.
- Transmission slippage
- liquid leaks
- Poor acceleration and shifting.
- There is a check engine light on.
- Three Full Service Repair and service centers for European vehicles in Dallas and Plano
Are BMW’s gearboxes sealed?
BMW Transmissions: Are They “Sealed”? All BMWs have been constructed with what the manufacturer refers to as a sealed transmission since 1993. Owners of these vehicles are advised against having their transmissions serviced.
BMW reliability after 100,000 miles?
Many people claim to have logged more than 100,000 miles on a BMW E90. Such vehicles continue to function without any serious problems.
However, because newer cars contain degradable plastics in their engines as a result of European Union laws for sustainable development, they are rarely as dependable as BMW models made before 2000.
Regardless of how carefully you maintain it, some models are made to last a lot longer than others.
- BMW 3 Series, 2006 to 2010.
- BMW 5 Series E60 and E61, 2004–2010
- 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series
- the E46 before 2000 or the BMW 318i after 2000
- BMW 325i
BMW’s gearboxes are produced by whom?
According to BMW, expansion at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, facility makes using American-made gearboxes economically advantageous.
VENEZUELA — BMW’s decision on whether to start sourcing gearboxes from the United States for its Spartanburg, South Carolina, manufacturing facility, the largest in the world, could be made as early as this summer.
Given the high cost and complexity of transmissions, foreign brands frequently purchase them from reliable domestic vendors. However, should the Trump administration follow through on the president’s promise to levy levies on imported cars and parts, increasing localization of essential powertrain components might serve as insurance against potential U.S. tariffs.
More realistically, moving transmission production to the U.S. would help BMW protect itself from currency fluctuations, a significant problem in global supply chains.
At the Geneva auto show this month, BMW CEO Harald Kruger told reporters, “We are in conversation with one supplier for a transmission for the U.S.
Although Kruger did not specifically name the business, the German specialist ZF Group is a major supplier of transmissions to BMW worldwide.
Implementing such a significant localization choice could take a year or longer, particularly if the supplier lacks the required production capacity right once.
Because of this, it is usually a long-term choice based on BMW’s growth prospects rather than a response to transient trade regulations like potential tariffs.
But collaborating with ZF would seem to be the most useful. ZF runs a transmission plant with an annual capacity of 800,000 gearboxes that is located only 28 miles from the business’ Spartanburg facility. ZF transmissions are already found in almost every BMW.
ZF opened the Gray Court, South Carolina, plant in 2013, and in 2016 it underwent an expansion that increased its square footage from 975,000 to 1.4 million. The factory, which produces 8- and 9-speed automatic transmissions, has seen ZF invest more than $600 million. From its facility in South Carolina, ZF supports a number of clients besides BMW, including Volvo, Land Rover, and Fiat Chrysler.
According to Kruger, BMW currently produces so much in the United States that using American-made gearboxes is a viable business option.
The Spartanburg facility was founded by BMW 25 years ago. Due to its initial aim of modest manufacturing numbers, the business has relied on imported engines and transmissions ever since. Additionally, the business decided against purchasing stamping presses, instead relying on suppliers to provide the necessary metal components.
However, Spartanburg has emerged as a significant force inside BMW and has guided the business into crossovers as those markets gained popularity in the US and elsewhere.
“When you produce more than 400,000 vehicles annually, as is the case in Spartanburg, you might consider if it makes sense to get a gearbox locally for the USA, according to Kruger. The choice may be taken this summer; we are now in the middle of these discussions with suppliers.”