HELP!!! transmission went out on my 525i

[dloux]

I really need some quick help from some people smarter than I am on this

My 2002 525i automatic transmission just went out today, I got a quote back from a shop saying it's going to be 3,800.00 dollars, I almost died. Ya. . . so i'm looking at alternatives, they said they can put a used one in for 600 bucks.

Here is my question, i'm looking around and not finding many out there for the 525i but I'm seeing a lot of 325i. I was under the impression that the 325i and the 525i shared the same drivetrain. Is this right and If I find any 03-06 325i transmission it will bolt up fine to mine??

I have my eye on a 2004 325i transmission with low miles right now.

Thanks to all you out there who can help me out with this.

[OnTheFence]

First, you need to find out what tranny you have.
3-series tranny isn't going to fit, I think.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do...one=USA&arch=0


You can get one shipped directly to the mechanic and have it installed for $600.
This might only cost you $1500 total

[dloux]

See that's the thing the car is at the shop already I would need to get them to see what the model is.
Is there more than one transmission that it could be in 02? Some sites I find say yes no problem, others are very specific. Leaves me utterly confused.

[rf900rkw]

A real 2002 525i will have a ZF 5hp19. It is only from the 525, the 530 is different. A like ZF unit from a E46 325 will fit. Again, it has to be a 325 and not a 330 or 323. And it HAS to be the ZF, the E46 carried the GM unit longer than the E39s did.

And you may want to ask for a point of failure, itemized cost, and then shop around. Another forum member just had his 525 rebuilt for considerably less.

[Vatoman]

Go look up the trans fluid type in the sticky... ill do it for you

http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/se...TFCapacity.pdf

launches pdf file while it refers to fluid it seems to be a good guide for your trans type page 10.

[dloux]

Good info everyone
The pdf does not not go up to 2004, the serial number on the donor car is #kr29595 BMW 325i 2004
Will this work? It is a 325i does it have the ZF 5hp19 transmission?

sorry about the multiple post, I don't know what just happened, and now it won't let me delete them

[Vatoman]

it says it the same id ask in the e46 forum too to verify it may have a different part number even though its the same model due to mounting points etc.

[rf900rkw]

No, that particular one has a GM 5L40.



Go to RealOEM.com , and enter the last seven of the vin

Then navigate to the automatic transmission section, like here.

You are after the A5S325Z (Z = ZF), the GM is A5S360R (R = GM)

The link I just provided is for the VIN you posted. If you click on the ZF, it says "no parts" . Click on the GM and you get a parts list. Therefore this car was fitted with the GM unit.



EDIT:

Might want to verify yours is truely the ZF the same way. Also, what happened to yours? A sudden lack of reverse?

[dloux]

So am I right by saying that both cars could have either of the 2 transmissions?
So my next step is seeing which one I have, is this correct?

Would they not be interchangable? Sorry, for my confusion.

The problem I ran into was I had a lose of power (stuck in 3rd gear it felt like) then lost all power shortly after just refer up when put on the gas.

[OnTheFence]

A5S360R

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMATIC-TR...ht_2143wt_1140

[rf900rkw]

The US spec E39 had a single change point from the GM to the ZF in 03/01. If yours is really a 2002 (09/01 production or later), then it will be a ZF. If you provide the last seven, I can double check.

The E46 line is far more muddy. Different submodels and different factories changed at different points. Those you have to look up on a per car basis.

And no, the various units are not interchangable. while the GM unit would physically bolt in, the supporting stuff would not match. Wiring, computer, module coding, etc.

You are looking for a ZF with a model code of "TT", BMW # 24001423930 ZF# 1060000009

[dloux]

A5S360R

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUTOMATIC-TR...ht_2143wt_1140

Will this one for sure work?
I was looking at this one below, and asked what the model number was (not herd back yet)
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e11050...AMOTORS%3A1123

Yes its a true 2002 soZf it is! Thanks
Is there a way of telling the 325 tran. by the vin alone?

[rf900rkw]

The one OnTheFence posted couldn't be much wronger. That listing is for an AWD GM unit for the 3.0L.



I can't get your link to work. That happens sometimes with ebay links. Post up the item number


Edit:

I dug the item number out of the link. 320725277791

There is a problem. His "compatible" list contains incompatible 2WD and AWD cars. It's likely a GM since he listed the AWD.

[dloux]

Sounds like anyone can get confused with this stuff, do you know if this one will work?
Sorry eBay item: 320725277791
Or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320725277791...S:1123&vxp=mtr

How can I tell what it has, if it's an 04 -06 should it not have the zf

I found this PDF, it does not say 2004 just 2001- and up (not sure how far up is)

http://www.bimmerinfo.com/files/e46trans/ZF5HP19.pdf

[aspensilver540]

from http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/chart.htm

[dloux]

I think we know it can't be a gm now!

[jdjg]

maybe it's time to a manual transmission?

[rf900rkw]

They started putting the ZF in the E46 in mid-2000 as a 2001 model. But they didn't stop with the GM until something like 2006. Both transmissions were used in parallel. Digging up random charts and parts books isn't going to clarify that. There is no line in the sand. You have to ID each one individually.

[dloux]

Is the only way of checking by physically looking at the thans plate? I was wondering if there is a way to tell by the vin. Mr eBay is not getting back to me today.

[rick88ss]

Was the $600 the price of the used transmission and labor or just for the labor of putting in a new(used) tranny?

And what happened to your transmission? It wasn't clear what you described.

[dloux]

600 for the swap only, what was not clear?
Do you any info that helps my problem?
Thanks

[65fastback]

Like Randy said, put the last 7 digits of the donor car vin in realoem.com and you'll know which trans it is.

[dloux]

Umm it shows 2 of them I've checked

[rf900rkw]

Is the only way of checking by physically looking at the thans plate? I was wondering if there is a way to tell by the vin. Mr eBay is not getting back to me today.

See post #8.

Umm it shows 2 of them I've checked

You have to click on each one. One will list parts, the other will not.

[dloux]

I just got this back from one of the ebay sellers on the transmission, he says it won't work but it's a Z model right?

Ident: 24007527934
Ident: 24007527935
Ident: A5S390RZT
5 speed A.T.