Do E39 trannys also die around the 100k mark, like E34s?

[Adnan]

Hi,

The 100k mile issue on E34's is pretty well documented. Is there a similar issue with the automatics used on the E39 528 and 525 that you're aware of? I haven't seen mention of it in some of the links but best to be informed...

Thanks,
Adnan

[ryan roopnarine]

the 528 has almost identical autotrans as the last 525is, the a4s310r and 270r, except that i think these are sealed. the tranny fluid should make it to 80k or so. the 525i from 2k on have a 5 speed auto tranny, don't know about its lineage, but they would be sealed also.

Hi,

The 100k mile issue on E34's is pretty well documented. Is there a similar issue with the automatics used on the E39 528 and 525 that you're aware of? I haven't seen mention of it in some of the links but best to be informed...

Thanks,
Adnan

[Unregistered]

100k? i'm at 95k. Is this a signal from the bimmer gods for me to get out now?

charlie
95 525i
95k orig. trans fluid (I think)

[sbcncsu]

the 528 has almost identical autotrans as the last 525is, the a4s310r and 270r, except that i think these are sealed. the tranny fluid should make it to 80k or so. the 525i from 2k on have a 5 speed auto tranny, don't know about its lineage, but they would be sealed also.

This shows the lineage of the later model 525, 530, 540 transmissions. Yes they are "sealed" and use the Esso ATF LT 71141 "lifetime" fluid.

[Warren N.CA]

percentage of autotrans units from all car manufacturers fail sometime between 80K and 120K. Some run a lot longer, and some fail earlier. No one seems to be sure why this is the case. Das wat Mikey, he say.

Hi,

The 100k mile issue on E34's is pretty well documented. Is there a similar issue with the automatics used on the E39 528 and 525 that you're aware of? I haven't seen mention of it in some of the links but best to be informed...

Thanks,
Adnan

[Dick Schneiders]

Obviously it is so vague that it is a worthless statement. I wrote him about it, being a Bimmer subscriber, telling him that was simply bogus and that he should give a percentage, and not use such open-ended statements. The percentage might be "large", from his perspective, and actually only be 10%. I never got a response, of course. It mostly bothered me as it really fed into the oft repeated, but seldom confirmed, stories about failures.

We have done surveys here and on Roadfly, and the vast majority of owners that responded belied his blanket condemnation. As others have said, if the owner practices normal fluid and filter replacements, the trannys should last for double the rumored time, or more. Far too many owners simply don't realize that the trannys, even the sealed ones with "lifetime" fluid, need to have the fluid and filters changed. Those are the ones that fail, not the ones that get the necessary maintanance.

For the record, I have 2, 1991 525i's with the GM automatic tranny. One has almost 160,000 miles and the other has over 130,000 miles. Both have the original trannys and neither has ever had any problems. Both could fail tomorrow, of course, but I do not believe that I am on borrowed time with them.

Dick Schneiders

percentage of autotrans units from all car manufacturers fail sometime between 80K and 120K. Some run a lot longer, and some fail earlier. No one seems to be sure why this is the case. Das wat Mikey, he say.

[Tiger]

I think if they have "lifetime" fluid and never changed... it will last anywhere between 80 and 100K miles. If you do change your fluid regularly, then it will last about 150K or so miles of normal city/hwy driving. If you are primarily metro city, then it is lower. If you are majority highway driver then you can see 250K miles.

Still, the key point is regular fluid and filter change... otherwise all the sediments will wear out seals in the tranny.

[sc156k]

I, every 30k get the transmission backflushed.

The 100k mile issue on E34's is pretty well documented. Is there a similar issue with the automatics used on the E39 528 and 525 that you're aware of? I haven't seen mention of it in some of the links but best to be informed...

Thanks,
Adnan[/QUOTE]

[AllanS]

My 95' was similar- 148k when I sold it, original tranny, and it functioned beautifully.

[bimmerd00d]

mom has a '00 528iA with the GM tranny. Has 156k on the clock now, tranny runs strong as can be. Also, you CAN change fluid in a sealed tranny, dont listen to the dealer or anyone who tells you different.