how long usually do e46 automatic transmissions last?

[Arby]

dont worry your okai, 330 where made to be better, so you have a ZF tranny which will last you a long time.
so you can breath now

2002 330i...does this have the ZF tranny?

Oh yeah, 28,500 miles and all is well (knock on wood!).

[Smilez]

2002 330i...does this have the ZF tranny?

Oh yeah, 28,500 miles and all is well (knock on wood!).

all 330 have ZF

i believe for the most part, bmw made 02+ with zf

[sprinter59]

dont worry your okai, 330 where made to be better, so you have a ZF tranny which will last you a long time.
so you can breath now

Thanks..my wife bought a 2003 330ci w/90k on it for cheap..the car is immaculate but has high miles, my only concern was the auto tranny

[Smilez]

Thanks..my wife bought a 2003 330ci w/90k on it for cheap..the car is immaculate but has high miles, my only concern was the auto tranny

your safe...if it does go out its only kuz ur wife doesnt know how to drive an auto, so just trade cars with her

[sprinter59]

she won`t trade..she (and my daughter backed her up )already told me her car is hotter than my 323i

I did try and get her to trade it in on a M3 ..but she won`t go for that either

[Smilez]

man your screwed...
wife always > husband

good thing i aint married yet.

[Initial Z32]

man your screwed...
wife always > husband

good thing i aint married yet.

there are still obstacles that SMILEZ must overcome in his relationship.... First, the restraining order.... lol jk My ex wants me back... What do you think fellas!?

[sprinter59]

she told me to trade my 323i in on a M3

being married is cool

[Smilez]

there are still obstacles that SMILEZ must overcome in his relationship.... First, the restraining order.... lol jk My ex wants me back... What do you think fellas!?

didnt she dump you before you had a bimmer...nah let her rott for a while...

[Initial Z32]

didnt she dump you before you had a bimmer...nah let her rott for a while...

She was with me when I bought the bimmer... I while ago... She was also the first and only girl to ever drive it....

[Scud Runner]

ZF=German engineered
GM= IIRC France engineered

the difference is one is better made.
I feel that reasons the trannys go out is because bmw says its lifetime fluid, so you never have to change the fluid. But what about the filter? Its always safe to change the fluid every 30k miles.

I called a local "BMW Tech guy" since there is no dealer for 350 miles around. And he was like "whoa. it's says here in this here computer with teh inter-web that you don't need to ever change the flooidsss in it. Well all be durn" So I said by and I'm going to call that dealer 350 miles away to ask them if they can change the floooooids fer me.

[mikeluvdakids]

i gotta 01 330... do i gotta ZH tranny as well? im clueless lol but im pushin 90k and gettin a lil worried...

[carguy101]

i hear they want equal rights but what about equal lefts?

[badwayz]

HAHAHA auto trannys for the trannies!!!!

Seriously though, my friend has an E46 auto that had the tranny replaced at 110k, cost of $3500 at an Indy shop! One day its started slipping and blam!

So tell your women not to drive their autos so hard!

[cgraff]

GM vs ZF transmissions...

sheesh guys...look up the info!

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/chart.htm
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Tranny/SD92-113.pdf

This chart goes up to 2003, but is relevant nonetheless.

The mid-90s GM 4-speed autos in BMWs were made in France (Strassbourg, sp?) under contract from GM. The 4-speeds are actually quite robust. I know I've had a couple last way into the 100k mileage mark.

The GM 5-speeds are an alltogether different story. They had TONS of trouble. These were usually found on the 528s, 323s, and 328s. BMW phased out the GM 5-speeds in favor of the ZFs. Most ZFs in the 90s were for the V8 cars. They are super expensive to replace, but last decently well. Into the 100k mileage range. The 5-speed ZFs were phased into the 323s, 325s, 330s, 525s, 530s in the early 2000s. ZFs are known to be reasonably robust, with periodic fluid changes. Techs vary their opinion from 50k to 100k change intervals (but BMW now recommends 100k fluid changes, BTW). I'd recommend more frequent for transmissions that are mated to higher output engines or if you do towing (i.e. X5 folks recommend every 50-60k).

The GM 5-speeds were continued to be used on the X-drive vehicles, all 325s, 330s, X5s, X3s, etc. So you're stuck SOL if you have all-wheel drive.

BTW, if someone has a newer chart for post '03 vehicles, feel free to post it.

-Chris

[djmatty]

HAHAHA auto trannys for the trannies!!!!

Seriously though, my friend has an E46 auto that had the tranny replaced at 110k, cost of $3500 at an Indy shop! One day its started slipping and blam!

So tell your women not to drive their autos so hard!

Have fun yanking on your stick.

[mikeluvdakids]

so im at 82k... should i change my tranny fluid or get it serviced?

[Smilez]

just go get it change, my dealers gonna charge me $200. i need to go soon..

[disboifan]

reverse went out around 60K and no problems so far after that.

[Smilez]

well if your reverse went out, your on a timing bomb. Start saving!!!

[titaniumcoupe]

I had a 2000 328CI and sold her with 105k miles. No problems whatsoever.

Just bought a 2004 330CI and am now changing the ATF just to be safe...

[TrackSmart]

I'm not the OP, but I'd certainly like to hear from more folks about this. I'm looking into used BMW's right now...

[FSUmac]

so for a 2001 330i steptronic, what type of ATF should I be using?

I'm at 60k and I think I am going to get it changed.

[Smilez]

so for a 2001 330i steptronic, what type of ATF should I be using?

I'm at 60k and I think I am going to get it changed.

look under you car, there will be a sticker either yello, blue or green. Then search through www.bimmerdiy.com
you will find your answer there.

[FSUmac]

look under you car, there will be a sticker either yello, blue or green. Then search through www.bimmerdiy.com
you will find your answer there.

ahhhh, will do. Thanks.