???s for the BMW crowd here: 2003 E39 530

[jrj3rd]

A friend has a 2003 530I that the torque converter is going bad on. Car has 66k miles and is starting to slip and threw codes.

Is this a common problem for these years BMWs??? Ballpark estimate as to replacement costs.

Thanks in advance

John

[Jase007]

A friend has a 2003 530I that the torque converter is going bad on.

How does he/she know it is the TC and not the trans?

Car has 66k miles and is starting to slip and threw codes.

What codes?
Slip when cold / hot?
Slip in which gears?
"trans failsafe" warning?

Is this a common problem for these years BMWs???

I would say no. BMW, of course, uses "lifetime fill" fluids which is really Esso LT 71141 in their ZF 5hp19 trannys (same E39 5 series trannys in 525s and lots of other mfg. cars). You / he / she can use valvoline maxlife ATF as a replacement.

Ballpark estimate as to replacement costs.

A LOT. :) Sorry, no idea but a new TC is big $$$. Do the fluid and filter change / flush per this detailed / pic filled DIY (LT 71141) and then see where you / he / she is at. Could save a bundle of $$$ and avoid purchasing a new-and-not-needed extra TC.

Good luck.

*follow the links in DIY thread and see some of the ZF tranny cross mfg. applications as well as the VW substitute ZF fluid.

[jrj3rd]

Jase

Thanks. She had a check engine light and took the car to an independent that her X always used. They checked the code and told her that it was a bad torque converter. Told her it was not an uncommon problem for 03's and would be ~$2900 to replace. She had been considering whether to trade it in prior to this happening and called me about what to do.

I recommended she get second opinion and estimate before she make any decisions, but also said I would put out a few feelers to see if this was as common as her independent was telling her. 66K seems like awfully low mileage to be needing a converter.

Thanks again, I will pass your wisdom on.

John

[Clarke]

66K is a bit low mileage to see this. This is not an uncommon problem.

[Redroc]

My mom has had both a 1990 535i and a 1999 528i Sport. Both cars needed new automatic transmissions well before 100K miles. I don't know the exact issue or cause of the problem though. Luckily both were repaired under warranty. IIRC both repairs would have been in the neighborhood of $2,500. Grant at Alexandria Bavarian Service did the work both times.

[Andy Clements]

My mom has had both a 1990 535i and a 1999 528i Sport. Both cars needed new automatic transmissions well before 100K miles. I don't know the exact issue or cause of the problem though. Luckily both were repaired under warranty. IIRC both repairs would have been in the neighborhood of $2,500. Grant at Alexandria Bavarian Service did the work both times.

Well, all of my BMW experience is based on the 1975 model year and involves the manual trans.....so I really can't help you much.

http://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=21326

What I CAN do....is second the recommendation for Alexandria Bavarian. Although they never "worked" on our car, they definitely know their stuff and were a helpful resource for us with both expertise and obscure parts.

[William Miller]

I was recently asked to help someone replace an AT in a 525.
I think it was a 2001. His was diagnosed by a shop in the Rockville area.

I looked into it for him and it turns out that the Transmission in his car was made by GM.

He started looking for options on a used or rebuilt unit. Brandywine wanted over $1700. He found a place on the internet (In Georga, I think) that would ship an rebuilt unit with the converter for under $1500.

This particular transmission was used an many cars including the IZUZU Trooper.

He was supposed to have ordered it last week, but I don't think its a rush.

I'm only mentioning this because it seemed interesting to me.
The guy that answered the phone down there was really nice and I would bet he would help advise on the codes / diagnosis. If he could.

With the electronic transmissions, A typical falure point is the electric control valves.

If your up for a DIY solution, let me know and I'll see if I can dig up the info.