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Topic: How hard is it to change the gear box on a 1998 BMW 328?
Anonymous A started this discussion 14 years ago#23,014
It make a loud squeak noise when I'm driving. Mechanic said the gear box is fucked and he wants at least £1,000 to replace it. I can't afford that almost more than the car is worth. So what the fuck? Can I change it myself without any mechanical knowledge? God fucking damn it what makes the noise? Is there a hole in the gearbox can I duct tape it? I can't fucking believe this shit the car has only done 170000 miles BMWs are meant to be good built quality? Clearly they aren't.
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later[^][v]#360,509
squeegee was here
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 10 minutes later, 21 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,515
posting in a stupid to4str thread where he asks people he regards as morons for specific, technical advice on an obscure bit of knowledge nobody on Minichan is known to posess
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 23 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,519
Anonymous B replied with this 14 years ago, 38 seconds later, 27 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,522
@360,515 (C)
Actually changing the gearbox on a 98 328 is really easy. It's a three step process, you'll need a wrench and maybe a screw driver to pry it off.
Start by unbolting the old gear box. Use the wrench to loosen the bolts and the screw driver to pry it off if you nees to.
Next take the new gearbox and fit it into place. Take care to mesh the gear teeth properly.
Third, tighten the bolts.
EZ peezy.
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 34 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,523
@360,515 (C)
And then he disregards all advice given anyway.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 36 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,524
@360,522 (B)
don't bother answering. he'll call you a fucking idiot and ignore whatever tips you give him. that's just how to4str rolls.
Postmortem !!Qe8ScDbX+ joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 49 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,526
They sell gearbox swapping kits online, I don't know how little mechanical knowledge you have, but I think if you get a friend to help you it won't be too hard.
(Edited 32 seconds later.)
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 56 minutes after the original post[^][v]#360,528
@360,522 (B)
Not sure if trying to help or just trolling.
Postmortem !!Qe8ScDbX+ replied with this 14 years ago, 30 seconds later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#360,531
@360,528 (A)
If there are online kits available, then I imagine it can't be very hard at all. And you'll certainly save a lot of money.It might be labor intensive though, but again, you're saving money.
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 9 seconds later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#360,532
@360,528 (A)
BMW owner here. Have not done any own work on any auto in a few years. There is a terrific web site for BMW owners - a forum where they will offer lots of help as well as photos and tips.
Not in my bookmark on this computer. So hit Google. You might even find someone in your hood who will offer to come over and help for a few beers. BMW owners might even bring you beer and then help you.
Out of here for 10 n I don't mean 10 minutes.
(Edited 33 seconds later.)
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#360,534
@previous (G) > expecting to4str to integrate with strangers online > suggesting to4str interact with a stranger IRL and have them over to his place
@previous (A)
Maybe you should have expected a major failure to occur with old BMW cars. Maybe you should've invested in a VW Golf instead, or some other fine Diesel car like older Mercedes.
Anonymous B replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#360,546
@360,541 (A)
Lol, actually stuff like transmissions and rear ends need to be done well before 300k. Also those aren't really major repairs, either. That's like calling a 700 dollar brake job a major repair. (it's just regular maitenance.)
When you buy a car you have to plan on future cost of maintenance. That's why you don't over spend and buy a car you can't afford minor repairs on.
I have a vehicle with 220k on it and it's on it's second, maybe third rear end and we've overhauled the transmission twice. We've not had to rebuild the engine, but that'd be a major repair.
Anyway, welcome to car ownership.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 12 seconds later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#360,547
@360,547 (A)
I'm sure their gearboxes wouldn't cost 1000GBP to replace. But then again, VW did go through a bit of a rough patch a while back, so be careful when buying a VW.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#360,552
@360,546 (B)
Replacing brake pads/discs, tires, cam belt, is regular maintenance. The gearbox crapping out isn't.
@previous (A)
It's a BMW, not a fucking Civic. The gearbox should last at most 20k.
(Edited 38 seconds later.)
Anonymous B replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,567
@360,561 (A)
Says who? I'm gooling around, most people are having to replace their transmission at 120k. Unless it's an automatic which lasts longer, upwards of 180k.
Bmw makes awesome automatic gear boxes. (their manual transmission is the same one they use on all their base model cars and is recommended to be serviced every 60k.)
Have you been doing your regular servicings? When was the last time you had the transmission serviced?
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 37 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,585
@previous (B)
I'd rather have no car than an automatic, they aren't real cars, just something you sit in and steer.
squeegee !firstkPE1Q joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 10 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,590
@previous (A)
are you sure you didn't just wear out the clutch? that's what'll happen if you ride it in traffic all the time.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,592
@previous (squeegee !firstkPE1Q)
Don't be ridiculous.
squeegee !firstkPE1Q replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,594
Ken Chamberlin has seen his fair share of failed transmissions. In his 15 years as a Chrysler auto technician, and several more before that as an independent mechanic, he has overhauled a wide variety of automatic and manual transmissions and delved into why they failed in the first place.
But the elusive "why" has never had a consistent cause. "There are a lot of variables," Chamberlin said. "How is it being used? Is it being maintained? What type of driving and what kind of fluid?" In his experience, one of the baselines for failure was the transmission itself. "This is a mass-produced component," Chamberlain said. "They're not identical and they're not perfect. I've seen one transmission last 10,000 miles, and an identical transmission last for 200,000 miles. You just can't say."
While the factory and fate play a role, Chamberlin said there was always a cause-and-effect relationship leading to failure, which is usually dependent upon a few factors.
From a failure perspective, fluid is one of the key factors. Modern transmissions, despite their status as mass manufactured items, are built to close tolerances and engineered for very specific functions. Part of that engineering includes working with a specific type of fluid that acts in concert with the other components. "Not every fluid is the same," Chamberlin said, adding that some parts and service departments, as well as independent shops, believe it is.
he seems to kind of top it out at 200k in optimal conditions. it's about a 1500 dollar expense here, and one you have to expect every 100k or so. drive train problems are common, like u-joints and shit. you get an older car and these kind of problems are just part of the package.
and i wouldn't actually try and do it yourself, you'll kill yourself. it weights probably 250lbs.
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 2 hours later, 6 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,618
op
Did you buy the car new or used?
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 9 hours later, 15 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,768
@previous (G)
Yes, I bought it brand new in 1998 when I was 8-years-old.
Anonymous J joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 hours later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,790
@previous (A)
So you have no idea how the former or multiple former drivers used the car. Easy to abuse a transmission. Blaming BMW when it probably was abuse by the former owner.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 20 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,827
@previous (J)
True. An American might have owned the car before me.
Anonymous J replied with this 14 years ago, 14 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^][v]#360,834
@previous (A)
I hate to admit this. Once in my first year of driving & was provided a car for work to make booze and food deliveries from a small liquor store - I hated that cars transmission and did all I could to kill it!
Failed, but then again after I left that job, perhaps the next guy ended up with a better car because, I wore out the tranny.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 4 days later, 5 days after the original post[^][v]#362,094
If someone in London will do this on my driveway I'll pay £300 + parts?
> and i wouldn't actually try and do it yourself, you'll kill yourself. it weights probably 250lbs.
I had one almost break my arm once, using a shitty jack and it slipped. I actually thought there was no way my arm wasn't broken at the time. They don't fuck around.
(Edited 20 seconds later.)
squeegee !firstkPE1Q replied with this 14 years ago, 23 hours later, 6 days after the original post[^][v]#362,446
@362,126 (A) > When can you do it.
london is one of the places i do plan to visit before i die
what's your number, i'll give you a call when i'm in town.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 2 weeks later, 3 weeks after the original post[^][v]#366,888
Anonymous M joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 22 minutes later, 3 weeks after the original post[^][v]#366,905
only 170000 and you need to replace the gearbox on your old ass, cheap ass car? you wonder why it was so dang cheap
you are retarded for buying a BMW in that condition not being able to afford fixing it and all
a retarded poor baby