Drivetrain and Engine Management

[Janine]

I really do need your advice, please. I have a 15 plate 2.0 litre 1 series X Drive BMW that I bought in 2019 with 22k miles from my local BMW dealership with 1 year warranty. Car currently has 46k miles. 

1st service completed by BMW due to the warranty provided of 1 year, not extended by myself. I know, there’s my mistake.

2nd, 3rd and 4th service completed by local garage. 

Drivetrain and engine management light came on 2 weeks ago. Since then my local garage have referred me to another independent garage who specialise in BMWs and back to BMW dealership. 

Local garage suggest working through the test/ fault plan before replacing gear box. BMW suggest a new gear box is required. 

Dealership refuse to do anything but read the faults and have checked there’s visually nothing wrong at first glance, from underneath. 

I have approached BMW via the dealership asking for a good will gesture but that was refused this morning. I have asked them to go back to BMW asking what the life time expectancy of the gear box is in the hope of getting them to budge. I think that might be wishful thinking. The dealership have already stated BMW don’t provide expectancy, just warranty. 

Supply and fit of a new gear box by BMW is £9200, I simply don’t have that kind of money. 

No courtesy car from BMW while we negotiate. 

What would you do if you was me right now? 

[Greydog]

Morning Janine

Welcome to the Forum

Oh dear you are being given the run around aren't you. 

BMW try to wash their hands of anything that is outside Warranty they used to tell people not so long ago that gearbox's were sealed for life ?? Your box is low mileage for faults and service, I have seen boxes (well maintained) with over 200k miles. So a few other things to check have the tyres been changed recently? Are the tyres correct ? Wrong or mismatched tyres can cause transmission damage very quickly

So your car, first was/is the car driving ? If it is then as several Garages seem to indicate a Gearbox issue, find a ZF Specialist and get them to analyse the fault. ZF actually make the gearbox in your car so will understand how to repair it. There is a list of ZF Service Centres so you should find one near enough. I doubt any of the garages you have spoken to have the ability to rebuild a transmission they just send them away to a specialist. BMW just change it for new.

A good transmission specialist would probably rebuild your transmission (if that's what is required) for about 1/3rd of the cost you have been quoted plus give a warranty.

Good Luck

Dave