Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral BMW 330d auto box failed 3 times in 6 weeks

Hi, I lost all forward drive on my 330d auto 6 weeks ago since then it has failed twice more with the same fault. The gearbox repair came with a 12 month warranty. I called the garage again today to inform them that it had failed yet again despite the mechanic insurances that'll it would be ok. The mechanic now wants to change the complete gearbox as he believes it losing oil pressure somewhere. He now cannot fit the car in to the new year and was not willing to pay to have the car recovered as its 30 miles away. I was wondering where do I stand on claiming my money back (£1300) which was paid on credit card. Thanks

you cradit card insures you on anything over 50 im pretty sure, but this might be a hard matter to take on..

So basically they have left you without a vehicle?

No courtesy car available?

That's an awful long time to wait for repair, especially worse being this time of year, have you not got another vehicle you can use?

Contact trading standards if you're not happy, they will be able to help you but try to sort it with the garage first.

Good luck.

Garage should collect the car at their expense and provide wheels for you too.

Three times!! Now that would sound good in court - for you.

Not necessarily.

It depends what type of warranty was issued with the repair, IE Basic warranty, limited warranty, full warranty ETC.

I would consult the paperwork that came with the repair.

If there was no paperwork, i would assume its a basic warranty meaning if the unit fails, they will cover the cost of repair but nothing else.

He now says he needs to replace the gearbox ( under warranty ) as its been repaired twice already and is willing to do this but not until the new year.

If you have a basic warranty, then he is doing what is required and trading standards wont be interested as he has not breached the warranty agreement.

Im sorry its not good news.....

In addition, I missed this, sorry....

As sanches states, the credit card company have basically bought the service on your behalf and will re-imburse you if you are at a total loss only IE the guy couldn't honour the warranty as he had died etc , but in your case, there is no loss at all as its being honoured.....

your'e in a corner matey.

Is he planning on replacing the box with a fully reconditioned and tested unit? The GM boxes on the 5/330d are prone to going pop. The pressure control solonoids will need replacing along with the seals (which perish). If he plans on swapping it for a spare box from a breakers then you could be running into similar problems in the not too distant future.

He just keeps replacing the clutch pack and that lasts 200miles and goes again. he replaced the oil pressure regulator last time around but that made no difference at all. I mentioned to him about the pressure solenoids yesterday as several people have mentioned about it various forums but he just said "dont read things on the internet"

If he hasn't replaced the solonoids the that will be why the clutch pack(s) is(are) going as they will be overheating. This is caused by the lack of pressure in the ATF being fed to them. Hope you get it sorted, must be a pain in the bum.

Did you get any joy with this guy?

If repairs (for free) under warranty, just pay a back street recovery company 30 quid to take your car there.
Sometimes it's just easier that way.