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Steptronic longevity
I've searched Google, fanatics and this forum and haven't found a thread that specifically focuses on BMW's transmission longevity. From what I have found so far, don't put stock in the 'life-time' classification of the transmission fluid (not that I would). The main discrepancy has been in mileage longevity. I have found some posts stating almost 200K miles on original fluid, and some saying their tranny crapped out at 17K. I even came across the fanatics thread where one owner swapped out their steptronic for a manual. Some threads I've found. The most disconcerting was this one My family is on the verge of buying either a ZHP coupe or an X3, but since I'm not the one footing the bill, manual transmission is out the door. So kindly post the following information regarding your BMWs, because if i can't convince otherwise, it's hello mopar  Used or New: (purchased, not 'new to me') Car Year: Model: (ZHP too if applicable) Transmission: (I know I said steptronic, but for the sake of being thorough) Mileage: Category: (Smooth::Rough::Ah Crap::Replaced) | | Reply » Steptronic longevity |
Quote: I've searched Google, fanatics and this forum and haven't found a thread that specifically focuses on BMW's transmission longevity. From what I have found so far, don't put stock in the 'life-time' classification of the transmission fluid (not that I would). The main discrepancy has been in mileage longevity. I have found some posts stating almost 200K miles on original fluid, and some saying their tranny crapped out at 17K. I even came across the fanatics thread where one owner swapped out their steptronic for a manual.
Some threads I've found. The most disconcerting was this one
My family is on the verge of buying either a ZHP coupe or an X3, but since I'm not the one footing the bill, manual transmission is out the door. So kindly post the following information regarding your BMWs, because if i can't convince otherwise, it's hello mopar
Used or New: (purchased, not 'new to me')
Car Year:
Model: (ZHP too if applicable)
Transmission: (I know I said steptronic, but for the sake of being thorough)
Mileage:
Category: (Smooth::Rough::Ah Crap::Replaced) | You sure seem to be a worry wart. The "most disconcerting thread" you link to has nothing in it that would cause most people any concern. So, I don't get it. Do you run inside and cancel your picnic when a wispy cloud can be seen high in the sky? BMW's current transmissions are as reliable as anyone else's ("Oh, my God, they're only as reliable as all the others . . .!") and if you want to change the transmission fluid no one will be holding a gun to your head trying to talk you down. ("All right, e60orBust. Move away from that engine, slowly, and keep you hands where we can see them.")
I'd be more worried about the air in the tires becoming stale and causing the rubber to rot than trying to conjure up concerns over an automatic transmission. (If the air thing troubles you, remember you can always change the air, too.)
But if you need something to worry about, worry about gas prices.
| | Reply » Steptronic longevity |
It's not a lifetime fluid per se. You are supposed to do the transmission service the same time as the spark plugs. My dealer printed out the key information that tracks the service interval and it had the transmission in parentheses next to the spark plug countdown interval. Well, that's for the 7 series anyway with the newer ZF tranny.
| | Reply » Steptronic longevity |
Quote: ... ("Oh, my God, they're only as reliable as all the others . . .!") and if you want to change the transmission fluid no one will be holding a gun to your head trying to talk you down. ("All right, e60orBust. Move away from that engine, slowly, and keep you hands where we can see them.")
I'd be more worried about the air in the tires becoming stale and causing the rubber to rot than trying to conjure up concerns over an automatic transmission. (If the air thing troubles you, remember you can always change the air, too.)
But if you need something to worry about, worry about gas prices. |
 Very nicely put Malibu.
BTw. Arenīt many E46 setptronics actually made by GM?
| | Reply » Steptronic longevity |
Quote: | You sure seem to be a worry wart. The "most disconcerting thread" you link to has nothing in it that would cause most people any concern. | Pardon me if reading a post "I did a search and everyone says the Automatic transmission on the E46 will blow up around 75-100k miles" that gets the reply "BMW automatics aren't exactly the paragon of reliability" causes me concern when planning another purchase of a $45K+ vehicle and having two ($47 and $67) already in the garage that might have ticking time-bombs for transmissions.
We don't lease, finance our cars, buy used or CPO. We keep them long term, so a simple question of how many people have had problems, if any, with their automatics does not seem like a "worry wart" of a question. Thank you iove75 for being the only one (so far) to reply with something worthwhile.
| | Reply » Steptronic longevity |
Quote: Pardon me if reading a post "I did a search and everyone says the Automatic transmission on the E46 will blow up around 75-100k miles" that gets the reply "BMW automatics aren't exactly the paragon of reliability" causes me concern when planning another purchase of a $45K+ vehicle and having two ($47 and $67) already in the garage that might have ticking time-bombs for transmissions.
We don't lease, finance our cars, buy used or CPO. We keep them long term, so a simple question of how many people have had problems, if any, with their automatics does not seem like a "worry wart" of a question. Thank you iove75 for being the only one (so far) to reply with something worthwhile. |
Conventional wisdom is that the automatic transmissions start to go in the 100k-120k mile range. Based on my experience in my last E46 when the transmission starting slipping around 115k miles, this assessment doesn't appear to be too far off the mark.
It should be noted, however, that regular transmission fluid changes will result in a longer lifespan. Going easy on it seems to help as well. But each car is different, and some transmissions will fail earlier and some will fail much later.
It's probably best not to be too concerned about this though. Life is too short to worry about what might happen. Just enjoy the cars! 
Regards,
Greg
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Steptronic longevity