XSeries-forum

Hi, I'm new to the forum & in a couple of days to be the proud owner of an E53 (can't wait!).
Anyway I've read a lot of horror stories ref GM/ZF auto boxes. How do I know which one I've got & which of the 2 is the most problematic?

It's a 2004 facelift 3.0D sport with the privacy glass, xenon/angel, 19" alloys.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

The 6 speed on a facelift 3.0d will be a zf box

It's not a bad gearbox but depending on your driving style some of the will tend to lurch.

Some lurch when pulling up to a stop while others will lurch when accelerating hard from a rolling start.

Mine occasionally does the second type. But it seems most prone when the engine is cold. Also flicking to sports mode when approaching roundabouts seems to prevent it completely.

Zf say transmission fluid should be changed with a maximum fluid life of 100k
Miles, BMW say lifetime.

There doesn't seem to be 100% agreement with owners either. Some get it flushed others leave it until the gearbox is toast.

Trying to made that choice for my car at the moment. 70k on the clock original gearbox & fluid.

Do you have specific concernes about your gearbox?

Ps. I just went from a 530d to an X5. Have done 1k miles
Since I bought it and loving it. Drives really well and surprisingly good handling even on twisty back roads.

Hi and  Steve,

Congratulations on the soon to be new arrival. Hopefully all will be good for years to come with your car. Look forward to lots of pictures. 

Don

Thanks LeMans for your response & to Don for your warm welcome!

I have no concerns (at the moment, 'touch wood'), I'm probably being paranoid. The car drove really well & I was very impressed with its performance. It's as good if not better than my current E39 3.0i SE. There was no unusual noises or gearbox issues. I think my main concern is the cars mileage...144,000. It does have a full history & just by looking at it you can see its been looked after. I looked at some right 'lemons' over the past couple of weekends but this one (apart from the mileage) fitted all my 'wants'.

I don't think my one has Sports Mode, where would the button be?

Welcome

Sport mode is engaged by moving the gear selector to the left.  Manual comes in by moving the lever forward or backward.

BMW call 'lifetime' oil as the useful life of the vehicle from their viewpoint.....about 60k miles.  Somewhat different from what most of us would call lifetime don't you think.

There is a massive debate about the efficacy of changing the fluids as you have no doubt discovered.  Most transmissions are absolutely fine, but a significant minority do suffer from issues.  Mine went at around 40k (torque converter failed) but that is rare.

For piece of mind make sure you have a decent warranty for the driveline at that age/distance, and you can always get the fault codes read to see if there is anything lurking in the car memory systems.

Richard

Hi Richard & thanks for your assistance.

With regards to warranty I was looking at getting some sort of warranty just for peace of mind. The highest mileage warranty I can find runs upto 150,000 miles. Being as we only do about 5000 a year that should do me for the first year, after that its up to me to sort any issues, gulp!

I think while it ain't broke & all that I'll leave well alone. If I get any unusual noises etc I'll get it checked out pronto.

Looking forward to picking it up & giving it a blast down the motorway!

Get some pictures up

I pick the car up Wednesday or Thursday this week. I'll have some pics up by the end of the week.

welcome aboard steve 

get teh car soon pls and treat us with pictures lol

All the best with the new car. Bet you can't wait.

[quote="Stevejspm"]
Hi Richard & thanks for your assistance.

With regards to warranty I was looking at getting some sort of warranty just for peace of mind. The highest mileage warranty I can find runs upto 150,000 miles. Being as we only do about 5000 a year that should do me for the first year, after that its up to me to sort any issues, gulp!

I think while it ain't broke & all that I'll leave well alone. If I get any unusual noises etc I'll get it checked out pronto.

Looking forward to picking it up & giving it a blast down the motorway!
[/quote]

wouldnt bother with the warrenty, if you look at the small print you will probly find on that milage the warrenty will be £500ish, then an excess, then they will only pay 50% and wont pay diagnostic work, so say the box goes you will pay around 70% of the bill if you include the warrenty cost, they will not want to pay out on the smaller claims and alot of things wont be covered

Auto box issues....
Nah you must be joking...




Welcome btw

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Auto box issues....
Nah you must be joking...




Welcome btw
[/quote]

To be fair, the box is fine.....it's the parts they put inside it that cause all the issues..... :blink:

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Auto box issues....
Nah you must be joking...




Welcome btw
[/quote]

To be fair, the box is fine.....it's the parts they put inside it that cause all the issues..... :blink:
[/quote]



love it

Hello & welcome, enjoy picking your new beast up