E46 STEPTRONIC transmission owners... Please vote!

[DrCG]

No problems here with 95K, 1999.

However, I don't have the steptronic (got the good old standard automatic).

I understand the problem is less frequent (or nonexistent) with that tranny? Sure hope so.

[Spidey12]

96k NO REVERSE here.

Car was maintained superbly by previous owner and I've only had the car for one year, it started losing reverse about4 months into my owning it.

Now, I'm still trying to find a way to put in another transmission for under 2k.

[kgreddy]

I have 2002 325i auto with 52K that I gave up the tranny.
The reverse wouldn't work and thinking of replacing whole tranny with a rebuilt one.

[blackhawkimpact]

2002 325i with 110k with no problems.

[cbv8]

My 318i se has 79k miles on clock no probs so far just delays in 1st when cold but i think trans fluid change will cure thisa when i finally get round to doing it that is!

[tibi330i]

does anyone know a good place for remaned step trany? 2001 330i zf series

[E39Chris525i]

does anyone know a good place for remaned step trany? 2001 330i zf series

Try http://bmrparts.com/

93K miles and no problems (knocking on wood).

[halica]

95k and no problems with the steptronic.

What amazes me about this thread is that so many people don't even use the manual part of the tranny. To me, the best part of BMW is the handling. I don't see how you can really take a turn w/o having control over the gear you are in. I know the sport mode will hold the gear you are in when you take your foot off the gas, but that may not be the gear you need. Am I one of the few that loves to drive on twisty country roads? (BTW, if my wife could/would drive a manual, both my Bimmer's would be so.)

Not too many country roads on the coast! Stoplight after stoplight over here.

[beberle]

ZF reverse drum just failed on my 2001 330i w/ 160,000 miles. The ZF in my 323it has 170,000 miles w/ no problems yet. Been changing fluid & filters since 90k miles.

DON'T accelerate hard in reverse. Baby it in reverse and try to avoid the problem.

Several shops said the ZF is a rock-solid tranny except for the D-G Drum. Should expect at least 250,000 miles after the rebuild.

[Martin 03 325i]

my 03 325i has 56k and is work just fine..just a lil rough when i first start it in the cold mornings, 1st seems to not kick in properly...

[yungbimmerboi]

I've got a E46 BMW 325i with 169000 miles on it and aside from a bad oil leak from the oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets, not a problem. Still tears up the strip whenever I take her out. And as far as I know the tranny fluid has never been changed. But I might throw a magnetic plug in there just to see if it pulls anything out.

[TonyDates]

I brought my e46 with 86k 4 years ago.
Transmission blew its oil pump seal at 123K last year.
Dealership replaced it with a manufactured unit under warranty (SULEV) after being unable to stop the leak with a new seal twice.
Currently at 130k with no issues, for some odd reason the engine even sounds better and feels eager to go!

[justinca540i]

My gm unit was solid for 145k miles up until manual swap

[ekjdm14]

Old thread I know, but we've just snagged a black 330d SE Step (£550) with 195k on the clock & gearbox seems to work just fine so far. Obviously no idea if it's a rebuilt/replacement unit or what the servicing was like, but from the rest of the car I'd suggest it's probably original & been looked after and fluid changed at least a few times. (Guessing the car has been well loved by previous owners but fallen on hard times recently, it was bought from a garage having had some work done & the owner of 7 years copped out on the bill and left the car with the guy in lieu of payment. Lots of recent looking genuine parts including exhaust system, filters & Bosch battery).

Reason for thinking it's likely original 'box is because of evidence of a cared for car until the last 6 months, and there is a slight hint of a low whine when in gear which follows engine RPM that suggests to me the pump is a little tired.

First order of business now we've got the beastie home, drive it a little & create a snagging list of jobs that need doing. Top of the list so far is going to be a good clean (mechanic kept the car as his daily for 6 months after non-payment, to get some value out of his work and he was a HEAVY smoker!) , step fluid and filter change, rear window regulators to be replaced or fixed & look at the headlamp alignment as they're on the floor 6ft in front of the car currently.

Oops, long post but TL;DR = '02 330d with 195k miles on probably original 'box.