1999 BMW 323I: complete transmission failure

Filed Oct 8, 2008 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · CA

I discovered one morning that my car wouldn't go in reverse. It seemed like it would "catch", but it wouldn't actually go anywhere. I towed it to my regular repair shop, and they quoted me $6000 to replace the transmission. I found a transmission shop who quoted me $1600-$3500 to actually fix the problem instead of replace, so I had the car towed a second time over to them. Shop called back and said neither bmw or gm will sell him all the parts he needs to do fix it. Bmw doesn't offer them (only whole transmissions), and gm won't warranty the parts if they're installed on a bmw. He also said he'd done some research on my concerns with the 1999 transmission, and that there were no technical service bulletins from bmw on it. There was a bulletin on the 2000 zl model transmission but not on mine (which he said was a 5l40-e model), so he doesn't think there's a widespread problem with this transmission. Bmw started using the 5l40-e transmission halfway through 1999 when they changed the 323 over from the e36 to the e46 chassis. And although there is a new complaint on the consumer affairs page almost daily regarding failure to go in reverse, bmw has not issued a single service bulletin. This same transmission, however, was also used in the 2003 cadillac cts, of which there are over 30 technical service bulletins regarding the transmission. Two of these specifically mention failure in reverse. Why will cadillac at least admit to the problem, but bmw makes no mention of it in a vehicle that's been on the road four years longer? I know a bulletin won't have any effect on my now $5000 repair bill, but I thought I had done my due diligence in researching the 1999 323i, e46's, and bmw in general before I bought the [xxx] thing. If I'd have known the transmission in this car was both non-serviceable and prone to failure, I'd have bought a kia. *tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 5, 2008 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · NC

I have a '99 bmw 323i. My car recently reached 100,000 miles and have started experiencing transmission problems. The car will shift to reverse but with no effect. I have spoke with other bmw owners and have found this is a recurring problem and cost 5000 dollars to fix. Im in the united states marine corps and cant afford to fix a problem like this. I I am being deployed and am worried that transmission failure while im gone will be dangerous for my wife. I feel like bmw should pay for the transmission repair because its their bad choice for choosing faulty engines. They vehicle is extremely unsafe and should be recalled.

Filed Jul 27, 2008 · Transmission · 108,350 miles · WA

1999 bmw 3-series transmission failure at 108k miles due to faulty transmission.

Filed Jun 30, 2008 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · CO

I own a 1999 bmw 323i. Recently, the automatic transmission warning light started to go on when I would drive my car on the highway. I took it into the local bmw dealership and it took about 3 diagnostic visits to determine that I needed a new transmission for $6k. My car had less than 80,000 miles on it. I then took it to several bmw specialist auto shops who explained to me in full detail the issue that this gm transmission is known to have. Apparently the transmission fails in 5th gear and defaults to 4th gear, which not only causes it to drive differently, but can cause other expensive issues. After reading similar complaints about this transmission, I am extremely disappointed that bmw has let this go and has not issued a recall. I am disappointed w/ the poor quality of the american made transmission, and will never buy another bmw again.

Filed Mar 17, 2008 · Transmission · 180,100 miles · TX

I own a 1999 bmw 323i. Sometimes the reverse does not work at all and on somedays there are no problems what so ever. I took the care into the bmw dealership and was told that I need a new transmission that would cost about $7,000. I am disabled and cannot afford this type of repair. I thought buying a bmw would be a great retirement car. I am very upset, especially reading on the internet how many people have the same problem and bmw does nothing to help. I have a 1997 381i that is down also. Have taken it to the dealership and my local mechanic. Bmw has changed..I really need help ...

Filed Jan 12, 2008 · Transmission · 96,476 miles · SC

My husband was driving my 1999 bmw 323i, he pulled forward at a 45 degree angle on our street in order to back into our driveway. After putting it in reverse and trying to back up, the engine revved and acted as if it were in neutral, the reverse gear failed. It started working again the next day and worked fine for about 10 days. I was parked at a shopping center and when I tried to back out of my parking space, the reverse again failed. After a long wait, the person who was parked in front of me left and I was able to pull forward and drive home. The reverse was working again by the time I got home. It began failing more frequently, but usually will come back sooner or later. We took it to our bmw mechanic, he said the seal appeared to be broken and fluid had leaked out. He refilled the fluid and ordered a new seal. The reverse worked fine for 2 days, then started failing again. The mechanic informed us that since the reverse failed so quickly, the seal would not do anything to solve the problem and we would need to replace the transmission. After doing research on my own online, I see this is a problem that is widespread and unresolved. Check the following website for countless testimonials on this defective transmission, they even named a website for the problem specific to bmw: www.noreverse.org.