My E46 STEPTRONIC transmission has NOT had a mechanical failure during my ownership.
My E46 STEPTRONIC transmission HAS had a mechanical failure during my ownership.
Member
i really doubt using the step mode really makes a difference, i think its just the reverse problem. every so often it has a slight bump when engadging into reverse. it seems to only happen if you leave the car sitting on the gear instead of shifting to nuteral and then pulling up the parking brake and letting it rest on the parking brake then shifting to park. so i always do that now.
Member
i hate to say it, cause i know its not the case all the time. but i just hope that most of these no reverse problems on that no reverse website are for people who dont take care of their car like a bmw should be. i am careful with it but i still like to drive it hard on occations. i tend to think these people drove a ford or chevy before and slam it into reverse when the car is still rolling in first. i cant really deny that i have never done it. with my old car, infiniti j30 the tranny didnt mind it at all it would work great all the time and take a rolling gear transfer. but i dont dare do that anymore
Member
I have only owned my 2001 330i for 2 weeks but I voted because I have got good info/paperwork on the car.
The car has 50K miles. Maintenance was not done by BMW but through an independent shop-same shop all 7 years. An old lady achived all 50K miles and it seems she never used the step.
< < < < < < < < < < : : : : : : : FOR SALE : : : : : : : > > > > > > > > > >Contour OEM wheels with tires - Staggered setup.17X7.5 ET41 X2 & 17X8.5 ET41 X2. Tires have less than 5,000 miles
If interested, PM or email me for details
Death Cheater
Had mine for a year and a half and from 84,000 miles to 111,000 miles. Hear some noises once in a while but that it about all. I use the step all the time and love the heck out of it.
2000 - 328i Black / Black with 120,000 miles
Member
Just voted for this. Whew. I'm glad to see so many not have an issue (I have not knock knock knock on wood).
Member
I only picked mine up a week ago and steptronic was not my first choice.( I would have prefered a manual) But since I got a killer deal 2001 330i loaded with 53k miles for $13k I figured I could live with an auto. I am aware of issues regarding the steptronic and will likely speak with my BMW specialist as to how to avoid becoming a statistic in the negative column.
Member
Picked up mine last week for the fiancee, and it shifts smoothly, no issues into reverse. Going to look at a manual one for myself since it'll be the summer driver, hers is the DD.
Will keep an eye on it since I'll be doing the maintenance on it.
Member
01/325 xi 114000 miles and no problems other than I wish it had a firmer shift.
Member
130K NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER I CHANGE THE OIL AND FILTER EVERY 5000 MILES. The problem is so overrated on this forum it just give a chance for people with manual e46 to make fun.
Member
Originally Posted by nickdeck
I'm not a fan of extended warranties. Usually they have deductables and a litany of excuses why your specific problem is not covered. You'd be better off dumping your $1,500 into a savings account then having a small automatic payroll deduction go into it each week. If something breaks you've got some cash and if all is wellyou've got even more cash. I considered an extended warrantie when I bought my S2000 6 years ago. I opted for a "car" account. I used that $6,000 towards my 2001 330i. Warranties do provide some peace of mind, but you've got to read the fine print, remember these guys would rather not have to pay out. They are in business to make $$$$.
Escaping a black hole
I see this thread Saturday night, Sunday morning I get in my car....Reverse is gone. So far lowest estimate is $3437 to replace the transmission.
WTF
Member
Sorry to hear that! Have you check other possible options (i.e. transmission codes, sensors, etc)?
How many miles on your car? Did you use the Step too much? Any warning signs?
< < < < < < < < < < : : : : : : : FOR SALE : : : : : : : > > > > > > > > > >Contour OEM wheels with tires - Staggered setup.17X7.5 ET41 X2 & 17X8.5 ET41 X2. Tires have less than 5,000 miles
If interested, PM or email me for details
Escaping a black hole
No warning signs, just quit working. However, I can idle myself backwards and if I lightly tap the gas it will halfway engage the gear and move back.
I am hoping it is the solenoid and not the reverse drum. I have the GM 5L40E transmission rather than the ZF that was in the 323's that was blowing up.
Member
Bump... for more votes.
Good luck and let is know the outcome.
< < < < < < < < < < : : : : : : : FOR SALE : : : : : : : > > > > > > > > > >Contour OEM wheels with tires - Staggered setup.17X7.5 ET41 X2 & 17X8.5 ET41 X2. Tires have less than 5,000 miles
If interested, PM or email me for details
Member
Is this for a new or rebuilt one?
Is it possible to still get new ones and what wouldthe price difference be btwn a new and rebult one...
Escaping a black hole
Remanufactured.
My car is in the shop today. Right now it is looking like the TCC pressure regulator valve is leaking. As long as I haven't killed my ATF fluid, I should be ok. Fingers crossed!
Member
Great... (crossing fingers for you)!
< < < < < < < < < < : : : : : : : FOR SALE : : : : : : : > > > > > > > > > >Contour OEM wheels with tires - Staggered setup.17X7.5 ET41 X2 & 17X8.5 ET41 X2. Tires have less than 5,000 miles
If interested, PM or email me for details
Member
Is this an independent trans shop or a dealer??
2001 Z3 3.0i -Oxford Green/Sandbeige
2016 428xi -Estoril Blue II/Black
2018 430iC- Estoril Blue II/Black
2018 330it - Melbourne Red/Venetian Beige/Black
Member
2001 320i 160000km. no broblem so far.....knock on the wood...took.took
Member
2001 105k reverse went out in my transmission last week. BMW of Northwest says $5800 for new transmission and a rebuilt with upgraded carbon Kevlar bands"not dealer" in $4200 so I might as well do a motor swap. Thats where i'm at, pretty self explanatory on pissed off or not at steptronic and bmw lack of wanting to help a WELL know problem.
Yes I could throw another used transmission in it for bout 2k total but the reverse problem in some plastic peice in side that breaks and if i rebuild it i can have metal blocker put in. Supposed to stop the problem. I highly recommend the dinan transmission software to all Step owners. Best $300 for my transmission by far. what can i swap in it? Yes iv'e done my homework and its a question to answer my questionslol
Member
i thought most of the reverse problems are with the ZF Tranny? if the GM tranny has a reverse problem is the the same reverse drum? are both trannies that much in common? everyone seems to try to get bmw to do something about it. why not contact ZF the maker of the transmission. i dont really see BMW as being at fault much, they didnt make the transmission. but they should have probably done better research before putting it in their cars.
Member
Honestly, the automatic steptronic transmission issues are blown WAY out of proportion on this site. Any thread that has anything to do with an automatic, one can be sure to see someone saying "don't get an auto, you'll have problems." In reality, one of the main reasons why people always say this is because manuals are more fun. But for some people, manuals are not as practical, and people need to realize that.
2003 BMW 330i ZHP - Mods - LED Angel Eyes, Front Strut Bar, 20% tint + 5% tint band, Aux Input, LED tails, Clear side markers+Corners, 6000k HID fogs, TFX Projector Retrofit
Member
Although I don't have a lot of experience on the topic, I agree with you but... don't sweat it, the poll at the top of the thread states you are right... it has always remain above 85% in favor of the tranny. Not a scientific poll but in my book is a very good tool-indicator.
< < < < < < < < < < : : : : : : : FOR SALE : : : : : : : > > > > > > > > > >Contour OEM wheels with tires - Staggered setup.17X7.5 ET41 X2 & 17X8.5 ET41 X2. Tires have less than 5,000 miles
If interested, PM or email me for details
Member
2000 328i with 108k miles. No problem, ATF changed last week. Never used step.
Member
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.)
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