Which BM autos are better/worse - GM or ZF?

[pundit]

This seems to be a hotly debated topic. I guess I could be biased given that my 1500-mile, Jan 05 installed ZF reman blew out at about this time of night last saturday night (yeah - a fun evening was had by all). Despite the "fix" being installed to prevent the a clutch issue, I think that's what happened on the last one. Right now, the $tealer's sticking another one in under the 2 year, unlimited mileage warranty. I'll go get Fritz on Monday lunchtime....hopefully.

The ZF "value line" reman costs ~ $1600 in the US. It actually is a robust auto, despite the design flaw. My original one did ~ 220k, and that was with some SERIOUS neglect from the PO. The key is to change the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles. Compare that to the standard trans that Chrysler (prior to Benz days)/GM/Ford installs....that's pretty good.

Actually, I think the GM trannies are cheaper to rebuild in the states, partially because people here know more about them. I guess the dynamic could be different in other countries, no?

Take care of your slushbox -- it'll stick around if you do Meanwhile, I'll see if I can get >1500 miles out of my next one.

best, whit

I've been quoted around $2000 AUD (about $1600 USD) to rebuild a ZF4HP22 here in Oz. This is apparently by a ZF trans specialist. GM quotes seem to range between $4000 to $5000 AUS... about double the price. I think the catch is with the ZF is who does the rebuild, do they know about the 'A' clutch issues and to make sure you get a modded trans if it hasn't already been done. My feeling is you would not want an unmodified older series reco C/O 4HP22 supplied by some bolt out/bolt in trans shop who buys it cheap from an uneducated trans rebuilder.

[ryan roopnarine]

I've been quoted around $2000 AUD (about $1600 USD) to rebuild a ZF4HP22 here in Oz. This is apparently by a ZF trans specialist. GM quotes seem to range between $4000 to $5000 AUS... about double the price. I think the catch is with the ZF is who does the rebuild, do they know about the 'A' clutch issues and to make sure you get a modded trans if it hasn't already been done. My feeling is you would not want an unmodified older series reco C/O 4HP22 supplied by some bolt out/bolt in trans shop who buys it cheap from an uneducated trans rebuilder.

the gm units have their own "a" clutch , ie the pendulum shift. scott council, who rebuilt his gm, said that the insides were great at 150k miles, just that the seal involved in the issue had bit the dust. in the states, its like $150 for the rebuild parts. the gm tranny is also the one in the US isuzu trooper, cadillac catera, and something else. the only problem is that once the rebuilder sees the magical "roundel" symbol, the cost to rebuild, as well as complexity of doing it increases exponentially (wonder why ). i think it costs like 2k usd to get a rebuild done in the us.

[Kalevera]

The other thing is....if you get it rebuilt, make sure you get a good warranty.