[brandonf30]

I was casually driving yesterday when something made a loud thud. As I went to accelerate, it just revved and the RPM's shot up. Car forced itself into Park and would not go back into Drive, Reverse or Neutral.

Turned the car off and back on. Managed to get it in drive and after a few seconds it felt like the transmission disconnected and was in neutral now. Parked and got towed to BMW.

BMW called and said that it failed the transmission test that they perform, and that it'll need a new transmission; which they quoted $15,004. Apparently they don't dig in the transmission to see what causes it, so that's why they quote a new price for a transmission LOL. Car isn't even worth $15k.

Car is a 2014 BMW 328I with an 8-Speed Automatic Transmission

Codes that came back were,
420321 - Gear-ratio monitoring: Gearshift 2 to x not plausible
421342 - Position specification: undesired power transmission in neutral detected

I've found other website that claim to do a transmission reset or software update, but I don't see how that could fix the problem?

I'm planning on taking it to another shop tomorrow to see if they can actually diagnose the problem to see what it could actually be. Came here to see if anyone else has experienced this or may have a word on this. :dunno:

Any help is appreciated!

UPDATE (01/31/2020): I took it to another shop yesterday and got a call today saying that something failed internally and they said itll be expensive for a new transmission (10k). Im finding used transmissions online for $500-1,000 if I had to go that route. All they said was that something failed internally, no description on what. I dont want to keep taking this car shop to shop!

Last updated: Ended up spending $2,900 for a used transmission with 3,000 miles. Metal shavings were found in old transmission.

[BMWILUVU]

It sounds like the transmission shaft snapped. If it was the driveshaft, BMW technicians would have spotted it right away. What ZF unit did you have and did you run a tune?

[Billfitz]

This may be related:
https://www.autoserviceprofessional..../shifty-bimmer
https://www.franksautosacramento.net...sition-sensor/
I'd have it looked at by a transmission shop that has BMW experience. If the transmission is toast they can install a used transmission.

[cfm56d7b]

Identifying the root cause by an experienced Indy shop would be step one. Even if transmission has to be replaced, a used one is always an option.

[jh_f30]

How many miles on the car?

[RJR82]

I bet one of your gearbox solenoids have failed!
of course bmw are going to want to renew
£££

[brandonf30]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

This may be related:
https://www.autoserviceprofessional..../shifty-bimmer
https://www.franksautosacramento.net...sition-sensor/
I'd have it looked at by a transmission shop that has BMW experience. If the transmission is toast they can install a used transmission.

I saw the first one regarding the software update and reset, I mentioned that to the shop I took it to today and they said they'll try that as well.

[brandonf30]

Originally Posted by jh_f30

How many miles on the car?

Just hit 98,000

[brandonf30]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

It sounds like the transmission shaft snapped. If it was the driveshaft, BMW technicians would have spotted it right away. What ZF unit did you have and did you run a tune?

No clue what ZF unit. No tune, bone stock.

[BradMacklin]

Hope all works out...interested in the outcome

[brandonf30]

I took it to another shop yesterday and got a call today saying that something failed internally and they said itll be expensive for a new transmission (10k). Im finding used transmissions online for $500-1,000 if I had to go that route.

All they said was that something failed internally, no description on what. I dont want to keep taking this car shop to shop!

Anyone have any ideas on what to do..

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by branf30

Anyone have any ideas on what to do..

Pay to get it fixed or get a new car.... If on a budget, how mad will you be at the next repair putting more money into the car now that you're pot committed. A 2014 328i with 100k is just not that car.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by AlpineX

Pay to get it fixed or get a new car.... If on a budget, how mad will you be at the next repair putting more money into the car now that you're pot committed. A 2014 328i with 100k is just not that car.

Getting a new car will require selling or trading the car as is, and with a busted tranny, you'll probably leave a lot on the table.

If you can get it fixed for <$5000, I would expect no more transmission problems for the remaining life of the car, be it 4-6 years (if not longer) should you keep it that long. Keep up with regular maintenance on the other components and it should last.

Alternatively, get it fixed and then sell/trade with hopes to get closer to market value if you would rather unload it.

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by jh_f30

Getting a new car will require selling or trading the car as is, and with a busted tranny, you'll probably leave a lot on the table.

If you can get it fixed for <$5000, I would expect no more transmission problems for the remaining life of the car, be it 4-6 years (if not longer) should you keep it that long. Keep up with regular maintenance on the other components and it should last.

Alternatively, get it fixed and then sell/trade with hopes to get closer to market value if you would rather unload it.

On a 14 328i with 98k, I'd sell it as is and let someone else gamble on used trans for the repair.
Even with a $600 transmission, you have shipping, installation, fluids... Maybe you'll get out of it for $2500 installed.
Eitherway, praise the low price of the used transmission. Suggests, that yes, probably normally bulletproof.

[Billfitz]

At $2500 installed it's worthwhile, if he keeps it for only a year that's $208 a month, a lot cheaper than a new car, and the difference between what he'd get for it then as opposed to selling it as is now would be at least that. But I'd draw the line at where it starts looking like good money after bad.

[brandonf30]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

At $2500 installed it's worthwhile, if he keeps it for only a year that's $208 a month, a lot cheaper than a new car, and the difference between what he'd get for it then as opposed to selling it as is now would be at least that. But I'd draw the line at where it starts looking like good money after bad.

Called a few shops today, and everyone quoted around $2.8-3.8k for a USED transmission. They said they could install it within a few days.

I just don't understand why it could need a new transmission? Maybe a solenoid, or the trans needs to be reprogrammed? I don't know! It's stressing me out because I don't have thousands to spend on the damn car.

He said he'll call me back Monday and see if he finds anything else. I'll keep you guys updated.

[RJR82]

hi branf30,
i wouldn't worry too much about catastrophic failure, i'm not convinced it is, (although i am not an expert)
i mentioned earlier in the thread about the solenoid failure,
if i were you, i would take it to a gearbox( transmission if your from the USA lol)
specialist,
don't get ripped off by garages who tell you to renew expensive items!!!

[Billfitz]

I agree, places telling you that it can't be fixed without telling you what it is that's broken and why it can't be fixed are actually saying that they don't know what's broken, or how to fix it. You may be dealing with general practitioners where what you need is a surgeon.

Now it's possible that whatever is broken would cost more to fix than a used transmission. It can be very time consuming to repair a transmission, while sticking in a replacement is relatively easy and shouldn't take more than a day. Only a real BMW transmission expert can tell you which is the more cost effective.

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by branf30

Called a few shops today, and everyone quoted around $2.8-3.8k for a USED transmission. They said they could install it within a few days.

I just don't understand why it could need a new transmission? Maybe a solenoid, or the trans needs to be reprogrammed? I don't know! It's stressing me out because I don't have thousands to spend on the damn car.

He said he'll call me back Monday and see if he finds anything else. I'll keep you guys updated.

Car-part,com Rancho Cordova Ca area. Bunches of them low mileage with warranty for $600 ish.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by branf30

Called a few shops today, and everyone quoted around $2.8-3.8k for a USED transmission. They said they could install it within a few days.

I just don't understand why it could need a new transmission? Maybe a solenoid, or the trans needs to be reprogrammed? I don't know! It's stressing me out because I don't have thousands to spend on the damn car.

He said he'll call me back Monday and see if he finds anything else. I'll keep you guys updated.

Transmissions aren't rebuilt because they're more complicated than in the past and failures are rare. Consequently there are less customers who are willing to pay for the level of competency required for a rebuild.

[RMachuca3d]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Transmissions aren't rebuilt because they're more complicated than in the past and failures are rare. Consequently there are less customers who are willing to pay for the level of competency required for a rebuild.

Not to mention a replacement transmission is cheaper than the labour to diagnose and fix the old one. Odds are the replacement used unit will last a good while.

[F30MGM]

keep in mind used doesnt pnp. you must clear out ISN rolling code. Afterwards it will work 100% no problem