BMW reliability again

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Tue 27 Mar 2007 11:06
BMW reliability again - kal
"General Warning about Automatic Transmissions: Many BMWs have "sealed for life" automatic transmissions. Regardless of whether you have a full BMW service history, the dealer will never change the auto fluid. Many of these boxes are failing around the 120-150k mark - often well outside of warranty and to a cost of £3.5k plus VAT. A good independent or automatic transmission specialist can and will change the fluid for you (and any good BMW independents will recommend this anyway). This is commonplace in the US and means the 'box should last the life of the car rather than being the cause of it being written off. General advice is ensure the fluid is flushed out every 60k or more preferably at each Inspection II".

My question relates to the above very sensible advice from HJ, is BMW aware of this issue, if so why no change to advice or service schedule. Are BMW only bothered about reliability during the warranty period or the first say 100 miles. Do BMW not care about their long tem reputation, amongst the 2nd and third owners.

Rgds, and thanks for replies
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Tue 27 Mar 2007 12:41
BMW reliability again - John S
You've answered the question yourself. It's well outside the warranty, and it's kept the cost down for the first, often a company, owner.

JS
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Tue 27 Mar 2007 12:46
BMW reliability again - Collos25
I have never heard of anybody changing the oil in Germany neither have I heard of premature gearbox failures and I see plenty of BMW's with star ship mileages.
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Tue 27 Mar 2007 13:18
BMW reliability again - MW
Its madness.
Mercedes and VW are also at it. What is sadder is that Mercedes had a brilliantly simple system of draining the gearbox AND the torque convertor with 2 simple drainplugs. Undo plug-oil out. Put plug in and fill up. Could not be easier. Cost of oil about £10 -15. Cost of gearbox £3,000. The gearbox filtre and gasket are about £12. and the sump-pan has 4 or 6 simple bolts on it.
I have never changed gearbox oil that was not discoloured after 15,000 miles nevermind 120,000. It must be black.
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