2000 323 Tranmission

[mattm]

Having a really bad day today...

Went to the post office to get the mail, and when I came back, I couldn't back my car out. I put it into reverse, and the car just rev's when I hit the gas petal, it doesn't move. Engine runes smoothly, it shifts into all the gears, drive seems to work, but nothing else. I have the steptronic transmission.

Called BMW North Shore, and they said they don't do repairs or rebuilds, and that they would most likely install a brand new transmission at a cost of somewhere in the $2000-$4000 range. Ouch!

Anyone else have this happen? Any reliable transmission repair shops around the Tri-City area that deal with Imports?

Please help!

[zibby]

Originally posted by mattm@Feb 15 2005, 08:10 PM
Having a really bad day today...

Went to the post office to get the mail, and when I came back, I couldn't back my car out. I put it into reverse, and the car just rev's when I hit the gas petal, it doesn't move. Engine runes smoothly, it shifts into all the gears, drive seems to work, but nothing else. I have the steptronic transmission.

Called BMW North Shore, and they said they don't do repairs or rebuilds, and that they would most likely install a brand new transmission at a cost of somewhere in the $2000-$4000 range. Ouch!

Anyone else have this happen? Any reliable transmission repair shops around the Tri-City area that deal with Imports?

Please help!

[snapback]292547[/snapback]

Hi ! Are you from Vancouver ? if yes,go to ' Stan Transmission" on Kingsway (betwen Knight & Fraser st. ) this guy working on BMW.Mercedes and other German imports for over 40 years. Tell him , Zibby sent you here with this problem.Let me know after what is the diagnosis. Take care ! Zibby

[3er]

Originally posted by mattm@Feb 15 2005, 06:10 PM
Having a really bad day today...

Went to the post office to get the mail, and when I came back, I couldn't back my car out. I put it into reverse, and the car just rev's when I hit the gas petal, it doesn't move. Engine runes smoothly, it shifts into all the gears, drive seems to work, but nothing else. I have the steptronic transmission.

Called BMW North Shore, and they said they don't do repairs or rebuilds, and that they would most likely install a brand new transmission at a cost of somewhere in the $2000-$4000 range. Ouch!

Anyone else have this happen? Any reliable transmission repair shops around the Tri-City area that deal with Imports?

Please help!

[snapback]292547[/snapback]

The exact same thing happened to me. I have a 2000 323i with steptronic tranny as well. There is a problem with the steptronic transmission (BMW may have resolved the issue since) and BMW knows about it. As soon as I told them about the fact my car didn't go into reverse (28,xxx kms at the time), they didn't do any tests, or ask me any questions at all. They immediately replaced my transmission with a new one. Thank God it was under warranty at the time. If your car is out of warranty, then I am sorry to say you will have to pay for it out of your own pocket. You might be able to get it re-build...but obviously the dealership will not do it for you as they have a policy of selling new transmissions only.

[BMWLotAttendant]

Yup, I've only seen one come in during the winter weather....spinning tires in reverse and switching to drive....back and forth one too many times....

bummer....

[mattm]

The warranty expired about 3 months ago. I guess I'm out of luck!

Once I get a quote faxed through to me, I'll definitely send it through to "Stan Tranmission" to get his opinion on it.

[mattm]

I called BMW Canada but I was unsuccessful in getting them to do anything besides apologize over and over again about the problem.

This is my 2nd BMW, and I'm in 20's, so the lifetime value of me to BMW is probably in the hundreds of thousands of dollars if I were to stick with their brand. Unfortunately, given the lack of help I've received from Brian Jessel, Park Shore BMW and BMW Canada Corporate on this issue, I don't think I will purchase another MBW.

To have a transmission fail on a BMW 323i car with less than 80,00 kilometers, and just 3 months after the warranty expires is ridiciculous. I don't think I would risk this problem again, nor the hefty repair bill that I now have to endure (just under $3800 at a private repair shop) -- I could have donated the money to charity, bought a Plasma TV, taken a vacation, bought new furniture for my apartment... anything would be better than this.

For what it's worth, Park Shore BMW quoted me $4600 for a new transmission, plus $500 for labour, plus taxes and shop materials to fix it.