GM Tranny on BMW vehicles.

[rjp325i]

My ZHP has the sticker that says Germany. Stickers are not always right but they are supposed to be. My sticker says I have a 6 speed steptronic too but it doesn't, only 5s and 7s do. The Gm5 are all made in France according to the local dealer. The specs as listed in the "BMW Fast Facts 2004" a dealer book for the sales personnel states that all except the xi were supposed to have ZF trannys but we know it is not true. I suspect one reason was that there was a several week labor strike at ZF in 2003 that may have affected output and a deal was made with GM to put GM trannys in some models but I'm just guessing there. The ratios of the gears are very close but not exactly the same. I've seen 325s made in S Africa in the showroom that said its tranny was from France. Its hard to know what to believe any more.

 

[epj3]

I enjoy my Getrag 5 speed... i know it's not an e46 but oh well

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Wow

GM Transmission problems in their OWN vehicles:

Sunday, March 14, 2004


GM halts sales of some '04 models

Faulty pump produces transmission failure in pickups, SUVs, vans

By Ed Garsten / The Detroit News



DETROIT — A problem that could cause transmissions to fail in some 2004 full-size pickup trucks, SUVs and vans led General Motors Corp. to temporarily stop shipping the vehicles from assembly plants on Friday.

The company also asked dealers not to sell or deliver the trucks to customers.

The transmissions, produced at GM’s Willow Run transmission plant, could fail because of a faulty pump that may prevent lubrication from reaching overdrive gearset bearings, according to GM spokeswoman Debbie Frakes.

The problem does not pose a safety issue, she said.

About 25,000 vehicles may be affected, said Frakes. Of those, 8,000 have been delivered to customers and another 1,700 are in transit between assembly plants and dealers.

The company believes only about 2,000 vehicles actually have the problem, said Frakes.

The problem was corrected at the transmission plant and the six assembly plants that build the Chevrolet Express and Silverado, GMC Suburban, Sierra, Savana and Yukon XL and W4 medium duty truck, resumed production late Friday.

However, every truck coming off assembly lines and in plant holding lots is being inspected before they are released for delivery to dealerships and customers. Dealers must also inspect vehicles they have in stock.

GM is urging owners to have their vehicles inspected at a dealership service center at no cost. Until they do, owners are being told to use third gear rather than overdrive.

You can reach Ed Garsten at (313)223-3217

Im shocked! If only BMW had 1/10th the integretity of GM.... Amazing how BMW sells tranny problem vehicles, yet GM does what they should do, stop delivery and fix the cars at the factory. All I can say is shame on you BMW! [thumbd]

 

[epj3]

Im shocked! If only BMW had 1/10th the integretity of GM.... Amazing how BMW sells tranny problem vehicles, yet GM does what they should do, stop delivery and fix the cars at the factory. All I can say is shame on you BMW! [thumbd]

Ugh why does EVERYONE think bmw KNOWINGLY built and sold the cars with bad trannies!! It's cheaper for them to refund the delivery costs to make up for a delay in delivery, than it is to plan, ship, and replace transmissions in cars they already sold.

 

[andreyiv]

I don't remember where but I do remember reading that they switched from ZF to GM at one point because the ZF trannys had problems. I was pissed when I couldn't find a manual and was even more pissed when I found out that the automatic I got was a GM, not only that but made in France too. All I can say is it shifts pretty harsh when accelerating slowly and with a cold engine, especially the 1-2 shift. Oh and it hates when the ATF level is not perfect, hehe. Good thing I only had to add it once. Stick shift rocks, why didn't I get that 530 with a manual?

 

[rjp325i]

I'm not sure what I have in the car anymore. I cannot trust the sticker. I have not crawled under to check further but after 4600 miles in 3 months use I have no tranny problems including where the temperatures have gone down into the mid 30s.