Gear box failure

[Caroline Cornell]

My 2 series BMW’’s gear box has gone. It is now going to cost a lot to out right. I am stunned as it is a 2016 model with 470000miles on the clock. Any opinions or advice?

 

 

 

 

[Greydog]

Hi Caroline

Welcome to the Forum

You don't say what engine and whether its Automatic or Manual

I also hope that's 47000 miles not 470,000

First who has told you the gearbox is finished? What symptoms are you getting? 

BMW Dealers are notorious for telling customers the gearbox is "Sealed for Life" when in fact they are not, they are a fully serviceable item made by ZF (Both Manual and Automatic) 

47k seems very low for a dead gearbox my X5 4.6is is at 165k the gearbox has been serviced twice in that time. I would enter a dialogue with BMW looking for at least a contribution towards repair, I would also find a reputable Gearbox specialist (Google ZF Specialists) and talk to them they should be able to check the gearbox software and read any faults and advise you properly.

A freind of one of our sons owns a 2.0d 1 series his gearbox kept going into restricted performance mode, his car is around 150k the Dealer quoted a huge price to fit a new gearbox we carried out a fluid and filter change (all parts brought from ZF) problem fixed cost £220 and he still owes me the beer he promised!!

I am not suggesting that is a fix for you as your gearbox is a complicated thing but a specialist would be my route

Dave

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[Caroline Cornell]

Hi - it is an automatic 218i petrol, rag top. It has done 47000 miles and suddenly stopped going into reverse. Took it into local BMW agent who said that there was swarf in the gear box oil so have out it back together and now it is immobile and will not now reverse at all. I’m hoping to get a specialist company to go in and collect it and repair it. So very expensive but there is not an option. The specialist gear box shop has several 2 series in with the same problem., which is interesting. I am bitterly disappointed with Peter Vardy, Edinburgh and their attitude. This was sold as an approved used BMW but with Jon service history which we didn’t find out about until recently!

[Greydog]

Hi Caroline

Definitely start a conversation in writing with the selling garage and BMW UK stating the facts, how long have you owned the car?

1. The car was sold to you as an Approved Used BMW but no Service history? How and Why

2. The Consumer rights legislation is on your side particularly if you purchased within the last 6 months it is assumed the fault was present at the time of purchase. Gather all the information you can regarding other 2 series failures from the Internet doesn't matter which country as it will amount to demonstrating an inherent fault.

If BMW (the selling Dealer) won't help or BMW UK write to the Motor Ombudsman sending all the information you could well get full costs plus some compensation for inconvenience 

Good Luck

 

[Caroline Cornell]

Thank you Grey Dog - I will get started. I got the car in 2019 so,out of warranty but a gear box should not go. Also, it’s the no service history that gets me. I’ll let you know how I get on. If you hear of anyone else with this prob could you let me know please?

 

[Greydog]

So you have owned the car for almost 3 years brough from a BMW Dealer and described as a BMW Approved Used Car. Yet you have discovered it has an incomplete service history, how about recalls? have they been attended to?

If you Gearbox specialist has other 2 series in for repair then an internet search should turn up others 

Have a read of this

The Consumer Rights Act was introduced on 1 October 2015 and covers all goods and services purchased thereafter from official traders.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 replaced the previous Sale of Goods Act and some other legislations, like the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations and the Supply of Goods and Services Act. Generally, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 offers car buyers more rights by covering the sale of new and used cars, as well as services such as car repairs and maintenance. The Consumer Rights Act still retains some of the Sale of Goods Act’s crucial demands that all products must be meet the following criteria. Please note that, while we make every effort to ensure this page is kept up to date, we strongly encourage you to visit sites like Citizen’s Advice and Money Advice Service for the latest impartial advice on legal matters. This article does not constitute legal advice, its aim to is to make you aware of which rights are available for further investigation – we cannot say whether they would or would not apply in individual circumstances.

1. Of satisfactory quality

• This means the vehicle bought by you shouldn’t be damaged or faulty • If you buy a new vehicle, it should function as expected • If you buy a second-hand vehicle, its condition and performance should be reasonable • All vehicles should be roadworthy, safe and reliable • The vehicle’s condition should match its age, price and mileage • The quality should match the make and model’s standard, and the vehicle should be as described and advertised

2. Fit for particular purpose

• The car should be able to fulfil the purpose it’s bought for by functioning as it’s normally expected to • For example, a 7.5-tonne truck should be able to carry goods weighing up to the promised carry weight or a car’s top speed should match the advertised mph

3. As described

• The vehicle you buy should match the description in the adverts or the sample model showed in a showroom • The vehicle’s specs and appearance should be the same as what was mentioned before the purchase • Second-hand cars’ condition and performance should be as described If the car or any other goods and service purchased by you don’t meet any of these three criteria, you may have the following options under the Consumer Rights Act. Again, consult Citizen’s Advice and Money Advice Service for a detailed explanation of whether these rights apply in your situation.

1. Right to reject

If the goods or service fails to meet one or more of these criteria, and you can prove these issues were present before you bought the car, you should have the option to reject the product within the first 30 days of buying it. If you reject the product within this time period, you should be entitled to a refund without undue delay and within 14 days of the dealer agreeing to the refund. Previously, with the Sale of Goods Act, this period to reject the product was defined as ‘reasonable time’ which left the timeframe open for interpretation. This ‘short-term right to reject’ also replaces the previous rule which said that retailers only needed to repair or replace a faulty item or part.

2. Right to a repair or replacement

If you find a defect after 30 days, but within six months, you can request a car repair or replacement. The dealer chooses which is the best and more affordable option for them, so you usually can’t ask for your preferred choice. You are entitled to this right if the fault was there at the time of delivery, unless the seller can prove it wasn’t. The Consumer Rights Act stipulates that dealers will only get one chance to repair or replace the product, so dealers can’t make multiple attempts to fix a problem unless otherwise agreed. If they fail to remedy the fault in one attempt or within a reasonable time period, you’ll be entitled to a full or partial refund. Alternatively, you can ask for another attempt at repairing/ replacing or for financial compensation. The law says, in almost every case, there can be no reductions from any refund given in the first six months. However, motor vehicles are the one exception, where the seller can make a ‘reasonable’ reduction for the amount the car has been used. The Consumer Rights Act helped at overcoming the previous legislation’s drawback where dealers were allowed more than one attempt at repairing or replacing the product and it was more difficult to get a refund.

Consumer Rights Act 2015: key points summary

• The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Your rights under Consumer Rights Act only apply to vehicles bought from a registered trader. If you buy a car from a private seller or at an auction, you’re not covered by this legislation, but by other laws. • Consumer Rights Act is applicable for goods and service bought on or after 1 October 2015 • Sale of Goods Act applies to any vehicles bought before 1 October 2015 • You can seek compensation or a refund after six months of purchasing the vehicle, but it’ll be up to you to prove the fault was there at the time of delivery • The dealer isn’t responsible for any natural wear and tear that happens to your vehicle over time

What to do if something goes wrong with your car

• Get in touch with the dealer immediately and address the problem with your car or service purchased
• Make sure you note down and address the fault clearly and in detail – taking photos and keeping a note of the time and date of when the fault occurred can be helpful • Keep a record of your conversations with the dealer • Get all verbal agreements and exchanges down on paper so that you can refer back if needed • If the dealer mentions any cost of repairs, make sure you understand the cost and agree only if you’re okay with it • Get in touch with Consumer Advice for more guidance on your situation

 

I think you have a fairly strong case as the car had no history so items 1 and 3 was it of satisfactory quality and as advertised 

 

Dave 

[ExBmwGuy]

Hi everyone,

my story is very similar to Caroline’s. I purchased my 220i gran tourer 2L automatic from Arnold clark Edinburgh in 2021. There is currently 74k miles on the clock. My car had never had any issues then I got drivetrain malfunction error and the car went into limp mode. BMW garage had the car 2 weeks and said it needed a gearbox switch or a new gearbox. So I went with the cheaper option obviously and got a gearbox switch fitted for £800. The car ran great for about a week then it died. No drivetrain malfunction error but the engine management light was on. It’s been with the bmw garage for a month and they are saying the car needs a full new gearbox costing (wait for it ) £9.500. Now my issue is this. BMW have told me in person and in writing that I should never have to service the transmission fluid etc and my car had developed an internal fault. I advised them the care ran perfectly after they fitted the gearbox switch so if something else had happened they have been the only people near the transmission. They have advised they are taking no responsibility for it and will not contribute to any cost due to the cars age. I’m really stuck as I have £9k still left to pay towards the car. I have paid 50% of the finance so can VT the car but as it’s knackered I would get the bill anyway. If I opt to take finance out on the repair, I would be paying that on top of the remaining finance which I just cannot afford to do. 
my thoughts are this. According to Google a transmission should last around 300k miles. Mine has developed a fault under 75k. The manufacturer should be taking some responsibility for this even if it’s contributing towards the cost of repair. My car worked great after the last repair but now faulty. Again bmw should in an ideal world take some responsibility as they are the only people who worked on it a week prior. It can’t be a coincidence but they are saying the two faults are not related. I have asked for a full report containing what the fault is but they sent me a report saying internal error which makes me think they don’t actually know. I know it’s a rant but any help would be appreciated. :)

[Greydog]

Morning Christopher

Welcome to the Forum

Don't believe all you read on Google yes many transmissions will reach Star ship mileages but rarely without service, transmission fluids live a hard life so degrade and need fluid and filter changes.

The box in your car from what I have read is made by Aisin Warner and was I believe the first 8 speed FWD auto box while I have not had any direct experience of your box I have had Aisin boxes in Volvo's and my wife's Subaru. I would use google to find an Aisin Warner specialist near you and talk to them. I always stick to Fluid and Filter change every 60k as so many times you hear the "sealed for life" rubbish I interpret that as "End of Warranty Responsibility" 

Remember BMW Dealers don't repair/fix anything they just replace with new at their cost !! A good transmission specialist I would expect to be around a 1/3rd of BMW cost to repair. Still not what you want to hear but more manageable I suspect

Your box is in use by BMW. GM, Toyota/Lexus, Volvo so check those while gathering evidence

Good Luck

Dave

[elipetey]

Replying to @ExBmwGuy, 
I also have the same BMW 220i Gran Tourer from 2016 bought brand new. At 68K miles, it had the same problem as yours. Needless to say, estimated cost was over 10K pounds for a completely new gearbox. The gearbox failed out of nowhere as the car just couldn't climb a gentle slope out of a garage and started rolling back despite me putting in around 5k revs (Usually, it climbs the slope at around 1.5K-2K revs). I actually nearly hit some pedestrian walking behind me as the car just rolled back uncontrollably until I slammed on the brakes. 
The thing I'm !Removed! off is that I've been a BMW user for over 21 years. My old 318i Sedan from 2003 was built in South Africa and similar engine/drive train issues started happening around 70K miles. It ended up being written off completely. At that time, I thought perhaps the build quality in South Africa was slightly poorer to ones built in Germany and I decided to purchase my current 220i GT as this one's built in Munich. What I can't believe is how BMW claims it is the "ultimate driving machine" yet the most crucial part of the car (Gearbox) can simply fail within 7 years of ownership and at 68K miles. In other words, a BMW car is unsafe to drive after 68K miles without replacing the entire gearbox. 
I emailed my local dealership regarding the issue and they gave the typical customer service response not claiming any responsibility citing the age of the car and mileage. To me this is absurd as I would accept certain failures such as leaks as this is largely considered normal wear and tear. However, a complete gearbox failure is just simply unacceptable for a car of just 7 years. 
I've looked at other forums and one in particular caught my attention. A few years back, around 2021 or 2022 I think, around 12-15 BMW owners with the same gearbox issue collectively emailed BMW AG (Germany headquarters) regarding their issues. Their cars had a mileage of around 24-74K miles and BMW AG responded by having each owner's local dealership call them and schedule for a completely free replacement of their gearbox. I was thinking if any of you might be interested in following what this group has done as this gearbox is clearly not an isolated case but more of a manufacturing defect/ quality issue. 

What do you all think? 

[Greydog]

Morning Yanson

Welcome to the Forum

If you can gather enough evidence and other BMW owners with the issue why not as you say do the same but also copy in Rogue Traders. BMW did not enjoy their last visit to the show and suddenly grew a sense of responsibility towards their customers

Good Luck

Dave

[elipetey]

Hey Dave, 
Thanks for the reply. So far, I've found another person with the same issue that supports the idea of a collective complaint letter to BMW AG. Hopefully I find approx 10-15 people soon. 

Cheers, 
Yanson

[gearbox bill]

I have just had a drive train issue on my 220 Gran Tourer auto at 37,000 miles and my BMW dealership is quoting £12.5k for a new gearbox. Can you add me to the list with regard to a collective complaint. 

[mona]

Is this collective complaint ongoing, I've just bought a bmw 2 series gran tourer auto 69 reg at 35k miles a week ago. Once we got it home and started using it we noticed a jerk in gear shift from 3 to 4. Got it checked and they said the gearbox was gone and its a known BMW fault. Going to try and get a refund but just in case they deny, we will want to complain

[Barbill84]

Hi all,

I have the same problem. Bought a 2 series gran tourer in September, 27k miles 69 plate. Started having gearbox trouble in February, had a switch replaced which solved the problem for about 8 weeks then started again. Car won’t go into reverse and revs high in forward gears before changing. Now being told need a new gearbox at approx £10k. Considering I paid £19.5k for the car 10 months ago this is a massive gut punch. Garage did a software update to try and fix the problem and commented that the system shows the gearbox was reset right before I bought it which suggests an existing problem. I’m now waiting to hear back from BMW to see what their stance is on it. 

[elipetey]

Hey Barbill84, I sold my BMW 220iGT last month as my local BMW dealership wouldn’t budge and quoted me £250 to first get it inspected by their “qualified” specialists. 

At that point I just decided it would be better to sell it instead and recoup as much as possible (£1200). 
 

I would still be very supportive of the collective complaint but since I already sold my car, my inputs won’t be of much use. However, I’ll try to help you all in anyway possible 👊🏻. 

[Greydog]

The More I read about this issue the more I am convinced that involving the Media (Rogue Traders or Rip Off Britain) will be the only way forward for you Guys

Dave

[Jambo10]

Very similar barbill. I have 26k on a 68 plate which I bought last year second hand from a (non bmw) dealer. Full, clean BMW service history. Two days ago: drive train malfunction warning sign appeared, and have been told the automatic gear box needs replacing at a cost of £10k.

Given the low mileage and age it has to be a defect, but I’m in the dark on what I should do or what I can do given I’m not the original owner. (If a group complaint is happening please let me know.)

[Greydog]

Try PM ing the posters here if they are up for it, my personal route would be the Rogue Traders program they love stuff like this

Dave

[saliq]

I've got a BMW 220d Gran Tourer M sport and also experiencing this same Drivetrain issue. My car only has 48k on the clock. This is absolutely ridiculous. BMW ripping customers off. I would also like to join this joint complaint against BMW. 

[Greydog]

Morning Saliqur

Welcome to the Forum

I don't think the Forum is collating a Complaint it would perhaps be a good idea if someone did gather evidence in the form of posts by those suffering failures from this and other Forums. Then taking that evidence to BMW and maybe the Media to try and get satisfaction in the form of 1st recognition and 2nd support to repair

Dave

[jn1253]

I bought a 68 plate bmw 2 series active tourer 220d in October 2023, it's got 33000 miles on the clock and have just been told it'll cost over 9K to replace the gearbox after the drive train light came on (it did go off after a couple of days but I still got the dealership to have a look). Any advice or guidance? I'm going to get a 2nd option naturally. 

[Jambo10]

I’m a journalist and I’m keen to write a piece on this. If you’ve had a newish 2 series, and at under circa 35k miles the drivetrain light came on, and the gearbox has needed replacing, please email me your details to jamie@rollonfriday.com.