When on holiday recently, we had the dreaded Transprog Failsafe warning flash up on the dash, we were towing our caravan at the time. This happened 4-5 time during the journey, each time there was a loss of power. Fortunately the road we were on was well served with laybys, so we were able to pull in and stop. Turning the ignition off and back on cleared the warning, and we were able to continue again. Our BMW specialist has read the codes, and although several relate to a solenoid valve fault, as the car has 130,000 on the clock, it seems wise to consider a reconditioned autobox, as we intend keeping the car. The car is diesel by the way. My question is - can anyone recommend a top notch autobox reconditioner in the South West near Exeter? I believe that ZF have centres in the Uk that rebuild the gearboxes, who would clearly do a decent job of rebuilding the gearboxes, but can anyone suggest where one of their centres would be, or someone else? Any advice would be extremely welcome!! Rich
try ZF Services UK Headquarters, Nottingham Abbeyfield Road Lenton Industrial Estate Nottingham NG7 2SX United Kingdom Phone: +44 333 240 1123 I'd expect someone there will be able to point you in the right direction. If I recall correctly, there's a specialist in the Southampton region.
Thank you for that info, I will contact them and ask. I am somewhat surprised that BMW dont offer a rebuilt auto gearbox as an alternative to offering a brand new one - which is predictably eye watering in price!! Rich
I’d expect the eye watering one from bmw will be an exchange box still, if the have you the part number you can check on realoem but I’d doubt the brand new one is available.
The car goes in to The Exeter Gearbox Centre next Monday 27th, for a full diagnostic check to see what does need repairing, and then do the work required. Fingers crossed that it wont need a full rebuild, as that is not cheap!! Rather less than BMW were quoting of course!! I will post the outcome when I get the car back, in a week or so. Rich
Morning all!! I have now picked up the car from Exeter Gearbox Centre, who fully rebuilt the autobox, including the torque converter, not a cheap job, as the final bill was close to £3,800, which perversely is quite a bit more than I paid for the car 6 months ago!! I quizzed the boss about looking after the gearbox from now on, he said that the most important thing about it, was to change the transmission fluid every 50-60,000 miles, which I am sure those of us on BMWland are only too well aware of!! They want the car back after Christmas for a free check up, to check for any leaks or anything untoward, which I was pleased to hear, and they have recommended a fluid change after 6 months, once the gearbox has "run in", which sounds an excellent idea, which they have offered at a discounted rate. All the best for Christmas! Rich
Glad you are sorted now. It does seem an eye-watering cost though, but definitely more sensible than swapping the car for an unknown one that could be worse. However to put it in perspective, I remember my dad having the gearbox in his Rover 3500 P6 rebuilt at a renowned specialist called John Lugo in Old Trafford around 1979, I was about ten. As clear as day I can see him writing the cheque for £186 on the hallway window sill where we lived in Worsley, and him saying 'the mortgage is only £33 a month ! Considering the complexity of your gearbox compared to his old 3 speed one, and today's labour costs, I don't think you paid too much at all. PS - his next car was an SD1 3500 manual, he never bought another automatic car....
