Hey Amarentic -

Looks like I get the car back this week - finally - and the good folks at the repair shop told me something interesting.

The 5HP18 that was delivered in my 325i apparently has a history of tranny problems that are attributed to an undersized transmission oil pan. This low amount of fluid has been said to contribute to early/inordinate wear. He tells me that this is at least one big reason that the BMW automatics see so many problems at 100-130k miles. I thought it was a bit strange, but it starts to make sense when I hear that (a) you had issues at a mere 2 cups low, and (b) a half-quart seemed to temporarily resolve my issues (same amount by my math). Of course, he was passing this information on from a separate shop that does trannys exclusively, and being here in Germany, I presume that the lion's share of their experience is with Bimmers and Benzs.

To my dismay, this ended up being a complete rebuild - costing me as much as the car is worth. The rebuilt tranny, however, is being delivered with an aftermarket "performance" pan. A little late in the game, maybe, but thought I would pass it on anyway. I don't know if the transmissions vary between US/Euro spec'd BMWs (mine is German specs), so it may or may not apply. I also don't know if it will affect ground clearance - I'll give 'er a look when I get it back.


Quote Originally Posted by amarentic
Hey Bravo10000, my Scotchmen bimmer specialists have seemed to have figured out my problem. Apparently all it need was a tranny flush and new fliud AND filter ($286.35 CDN taxes in). Apparently the filter was the original from 92 and the fluid was more than likely the original fluid as well (I've owned my car since 2000 and have put on more than 200,000 km on it and NEVER touched the tranny).

Over time things do break down filters, fluids, etc. and they just need replacing. In all my years with my baby i have never had to open up the engine or tranny for anything mechanical - seals/gaskets occasionally (this being the first for the tranny and they found no metal shavings in my pans)

One piece of advise from the Scotchmen @ Thorold Imports - the tranny fluid level is to be checked with the BMW scanner from a cold start only and the plug is to be pulled out ONLY once the tranny temp is @ 35 degrees. This allows for proper fluid expansion to give an accurate reading. This could be total BS but I trust these guys with my baby and they have NEVER let me down - they are all semi-retired and live and breath old bimmer's!

By the way, I've thought about the dipstick dilemma too, according to the Scotchmen, it's to stop idiots from over filling the tranny and blowing the seals - it actually makes sense because I've done it myself when is was 16!

Hope this helps?