advice for my BMW 1M transmission...(unfortunately)

[FSK7]

Hey guys,

Ive read that some of you have been having some bad grinding going into second gear and from the information that I've gathered it seems that my second gear synchro is completely shot.

My local BMW dealer said that only way to fix this is to completely get a new transmission. they quoted me $13K+ which doesn't make any sense at all.....

Would like to get some advice on what to do

Much appreciated!

-FSK

[nachob]

Originally Posted by FSK7

Hey guys,

Ive read that some of you have been having some bad grinding going into second gear and from the information that I've gathered it seems that my second gear synchro is completely shot.

My local BMW dealer said that only way to fix this is to completely get a new transmission. they quoted me $13K+ which doesn't make any sense at all.....

Would like to get some advice on what to do

Much appreciated!

-FSK

They don't sell any parts for transmissions anymore. That is insane pricing. I would ask to speak to a
District manager and see if you can work something more
Realistic. They might goodwill a
Lower cost on transmissions. Especially if you have lower mileage car. Also some 1Ms were filled with wrong trans fluid because many dealers are idiots. If yours was one. You could raise that issue as a possible cause. Also when 1M came out transmission fluid change was part of the break in service but there were shortages of LT5 fluid and dealers were putting LT3 in so BMW usa changed it! If yours didn't get the 1200 break in fluid change I would also raise that point. It was standard in 1Ms in Europe but as I said BMWUSA made it not necessary due to the problems they had getting the fluid or dealers putting wrong stuff in. Did yours get it? Wrong one? Look at maintenance history. My first 1M had 2nd gear notchines. My second 1M is awesome. Like butter. Cold hard butter but butter nonetheless.

[nachob]

Also, I was looking at a remanufactured BMW transmissions if you did it bought it separately.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4...uine-bmw-part/

Turner has it for $3900 including core charge and shipping. You would get $790 back when they get the old one back and it would cost you about $200 to ship back. You just reuse the shipping container so your net cost is about $4100 plus the swap. It sounds ridiculous $13000! You could get the clutch replaced without a flywheel for about $2000 or even $3000 at dealer. With same clutch, maybe $300 less but you might as well change clutch and pressure plate. The flywheel will be good still. That's about $6-7K total with new clutch and transmission! You could have it shipped to and from shop or dealer. It's always cheaper and less hassle to ship to business.

You need a new dealer also in my humble opinion. one that will work with you.

[nachob]

I just noticed you are in San Diego like me. Are you going through BMW San Diego? They suck! They have their stupid Action Plans that are ridiculous. BMW of El Cajon is expensive but they are human. You can work with them and I'm pretty sure they would do the swap even if you bought the transmision from Turner. Also, I know them and can talk to them beforehand. I have been a customer of theirs for 12 years with 3 cars and I can even talk to the parts manager and see what can be done.

PM me and we can chat. By the way, welcome to San Diego. It looks like your're new to the area.

[martymil]

These gearboxes fail quite commonly especially the second gear.

My second gear disintegrated.

I paid 8000 dollars for the gearbox in aud cheaper in the USA
700 for clutch, 1000 for flywheel and new fork and bolts 200

labour 700

No way in the world it would cost 13k USD to change a gearbox and clutch.

BTW the new gearboxes are way stronger, its not the same box.

[pepper135I]

Second gear use to stick on me and not go into gear when launching or accelerating hard . This happened in both my 1ers occasionally. After doing ssk and transmission mounts hasn't happened in 2+ years . Are the syncros actually shot ? Happens every shift, daily ?

[martymil]

not the same gearbox as the 135.

[nachob]

This thread is dead, the original poster never responded or followed up. He might have gotten it sorted out.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by martymil

not the same gearbox as the 135.

Same part number....

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=23_1121


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=23_1121

Not the same gearbox as an N54 motored 135i.

Same gearbox as an N55 motored car.

[ayao]

Originally Posted by martymil

These gearboxes fail quite commonly especially the second gear.

My second gear disintegrated.

I paid 8000 dollars for the gearbox in aud cheaper in the USA
700 for clutch, 1000 for flywheel and new fork and bolts 200

labour 700

No way in the world it would cost 13k USD to change a gearbox and clutch.

BTW the new gearboxes are way stronger, its not the same box.

Your car - N54 or N55?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by martymil

not the same gearbox as the 135.

It is the exact same part number as the manual in the N55 135.

[martymil]

n54 135 has a 8 bolt crank, flywheel and a gearbox
n54 post 2009 has a 6 bolt flywheel and same gearbox
n54 1m/n55 post 2011/12 has 6 bolt flywheel and different gearbox
n55 m2 has a six bolt crank, different twin plate flywheel, twin plate clutch and same gearbox as post 2011 n54/n55

[frontside0815]

Originally Posted by martymil

n54 135 has a 8 bolt crank, flywheel and a gearbox
n54 post 2009 has a 6 bolt flywheel and same gearbox
n54 1m/n55 post 2011/12 has 6 bolt flywheel and different gearbox
n55 m2 has a six bolt crank, different twin plate flywheel, twin plate clutch and same gearbox as post 2011 n54/n55

This would mean that you should be able to Mount the m2 clutch in an 1m/n55 135.

Do you know if the m2 uses the same twin plate clutch as the m3/m4? Since i know for a fact, that the m3/4 twin plate clutch doesnt fit

[martymil]

Yes same clutch

Have you tried a m4 clutch on a 6 bolt crank in 135

If you did what didnt fit

[FSK7]

Originally Posted by pepper135I

Second gear use to stick on me and not go into gear when launching or accelerating hard . This happened in both my 1ers occasionally. After doing ssk and transmission mounts hasn't happened in 2+ years . Are the syncros actually shot ? Happens every shift, daily ?

According to my dealer they were completely shot..

It happens every shift unless i shift EXTREMELY carefully and slowly and also make sure the rpms are really low.

[FSK7]

Originally Posted by nachob

This thread is dead, the original poster never responded or followed up. He might have gotten it sorted out.

sorry nachob, been dealing with a bunch of things these last few months and didn't have time to check or respond.

[FSK7]

Originally Posted by martymil

These gearboxes fail quite commonly especially the second gear.

My second gear disintegrated.

I paid 8000 dollars for the gearbox in aud cheaper in the USA
700 for clutch, 1000 for flywheel and new fork and bolts 200

labour 700

No way in the world it would cost 13k USD to change a gearbox and clutch.

BTW the new gearboxes are way stronger, its not the same box.

I agree 13K USD is unbelievable...

what new gearboxes are you talking about exactly? the M2 gearboxes?

[martymil]

Apperently they use the same internals as the new m4

When i got.mine back there was a sticker on it and when i checked the part number it came up with m4 gearbox on multiple websites

[FSK7]

what are your thoughts on purchasing a used gearbox from LKQ? I am a bit hesitant but they are much cheaper.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by FSK7

what are your thoughts on purchasing a used gearbox from LKQ? I am a bit hesitant but they are much cheaper.

Used gearboxes will probably have the same issue already. Hard to tell. As I said I picked up my first 1M with .3 miles at Welt and babied it. 2nd gear was stiff sometimes. I picked up my second 1M with 9k miles and gearbox is great. If you could test drive the transmission before buying that would be ideal. If you buy already out, probably not much better odds it will be ok. Also when gearboxes are refurbished they might use newer improved parts. When you buy used you get the original stuff that is failure prone.

If your transmission is completely shot then replacing with a used unit makes sense because you will gain something for sure. If you replace it because second gear is stubborn, you might end up with exactly the same issue.

[FSK7]

Originally Posted by nachob

Used gearboxes will probably have the same issue already. Hard to tell. As I said I picked up my first 1M with .3 miles at Welt and babied it. 2nd gear was stiff sometimes. I picked up my second 1M with 9k miles and gearbox is great. If you could test drive the transmission before buying that would be ideal. If you buy already out, probably not much better odds it will be ok. Also when gearboxes are refurbished they might use newer improved parts. When you buy used you get the original stuff that is failure prone.

If your transmission is completely shot then replacing with a used unit makes sense because you will gain something for sure. If you replace it because second gear is stubborn, you might end up with exactly the same issue.

Yeah I agree that if I buy used then it is more failure prone, that is why I am hesitating.
The transmission is completely shot which is why I feel like I am willing to risk it with a used trans

[nachob]

Originally Posted by FSK7

Yeah I agree that if I buy used then it is more failure prone, that is why I am hesitating.
The transmission is completely shot which is why I feel like I am willing to risk it with a used trans

Yeah. As I said. If completely shot then worth the gamble Also
Dealers will sometimes negotiate and a 1M is a good investmentt. Either way you're good. Also turner sells gearboxes too!