I’m hoping someone here might be able to point me in the right direction or share some experience.

I have relatively young 2021 BMW 330e (PHEV) that has recently broken down and is currently with a BMW main dealer. After diagnostics, they’ve advised that the car requires a complete gearbox replacement, with a quoted cost of around £10,000 (even with goodwill applied). This also includes the replacement of the 12v battery.

As you can imagine, this is a huge amount of money, and I’m struggling to accept that a full replacement is the only option on such a young car (45000miles on the clock).

I’m trying to explore alternatives such as:
- Repair or partial rebuild of the gearbox
- Replacement with a reconditioned or second-hand hybrid gearbox
- Independent specialists with experience in BMW hybrid transmissions

I’m based in the Midlands, but I’d be willing to travel if needed.

My main questions are:
Has anyone had similar gearbox issues on a 330e or other BMW hybrids?

Are there known specialists who can repair or rebuild hybrid gearboxes, rather than just replacing them?

Is the “new gearbox only” route really the only solution in these cases?

Any advice, recommendations, or even confirmation of what isn’t possible would be massively appreciated before I commit to such a costly repair.

Thanks in advance 🙏

Was wondering if you could help provide me with a valuation for my BMW (E36) 1996 323i SE. I am the 2nd owner (my friends father had owned from new), car has done 85k genuine miles.

I have just spent over £2.5k on Servicing and a load of work to be done for it to pass it's MOT. Previously I have also paid for servicing parts and new Roof Upholstery, It will be a reluctant sale; however I have just bought a new property and cannot afford the sizeable costs that accompany the car.

I am not sure what I can realistically expect for the car (it is pretty good condition - Bodywork and Upholstery are worn in parts); however I know that I will get more by selling privately than I will if I part exchange etc.

Thoughts/opinions most welcome.

All of a sudden the boot won't open, other forums have advised that there is a manual release switch in the glove box but I've looked and can't find it. Maybe it's somewhere else on this model?

If anyone knows the answer or how I could go about troubleshooting I would greatly appreciate it.

Is there a cheap way to add digital radio to my E93 convertible or could someone point me to a previous post on this?

Thanks.

Billy - Isle of Wight

Used to have a 328i manual Touring in Arctic Silver. The car still exists but was SORN in January 26 Id like to buy it back any one who has such a car let me know. Would prefer the OG but would consider an alternative unit.

Thanks

Worsening issue with the window & mirror control panel in the drivers door.

Started with the one touch function on the windows not working, then the windows would not work at all when you press the buttons.

In time if you keep trying the windows will work although very intermitant and sometimes just stick mid way.

This is happening on all windows.

This has now moved on to the mirrors, they will not adjust then again intermitantly move.

Causing faulty bulb warning on dash

Trying to replace but there is no room to get my hand in to turn holder to get it out as to tight to air box any suggestions ? Or do I need to remove airbox or the headlamp assembly ?

i left it on charge all day, and it was drawing almost 7 amps after the battery finished charging. 
 

I checked the relays and fuses and the one labeled 30g was warm to the touch, but the car had been off all day. 
 

I pulled it out and I noticed the automatic transmission gear selector light went out, which had been on whether the car was on or not. 
 

I’m not sure if the draw went down, I was measuring with a battery charger and after I opened the door it changed the power draw of course. 

I have looked on Wiki and checked a couple of manuals but I cannot find any information on them or what they do?

If anyone has one and any advice on how to check it I would be most grateful

I’ve had my new to me F31 335d for 4 months now. Whilst I like the alloys I would like a little more comfort on the road so would like to know if anyone would be interested in swapping alloy wheels with me?

They’re Rohana RFX11 wheels, 245/30/20 fronts 275/30/20 rears. I am after a set of M437 alloys. Mainly to give me a little more rubber on the road and a touch less road noise. Ill supply more detailed photographs but attached is one showing them when they’re not caked in road grime

Thanks!

I am trying to diagnose a scary electrical issue with my 2007 E92 330i.

The Main Symptoms:

1. Sudden Power Cut: While driving, the car suddenly cuts throttle/power. At that exact moment, the Service Light flashes briefly, and the transmission throws code CF25 (EGS: Message from engine control Alive signal fault).

• Note: I used to get CF1C, but now it is consistently CF25.

2. Hesitant Crank: When starting the car, the starter turns for a split second, pauses/stops completely, and then continues to turn sluggishly until the engine fires.

3. Sensor Dropouts: My AFR readings (O2 sensor) appear and disappear intermittently.

I really need help, battery voltage is 12.4 when is off, when is on 13.9-14.1 v

And also I was not at home for 19 days and battery was still alive after 19 days so I think its not the battery.

But another problem is when i turn it off and lock it , the park light on shifter doesnt turn off, even after 19 days it was on.

My first post for some time since donating my last E39 530D to Ukraine after its mot ran out in Oct 24. Yes i know this is the 3-series forum but my question relates to the M57 engine which also goes in the 3-series and IIRC the 7-series also.

I came across this 530D by chance the other day and am a bit tempted, but first want to know what this rattle is - https://youtu.be/Vc0s3nK4-Ng?si=iRewD1L5StUla-y4 - and how easy / how much ££ to fix. 

Any ideas? Thanks, Mark

I have a BMW 318Ci Automatic Coupe. It's  21 years old and has done ~99,000 miles. It was my late father’s car and so I have a sentimental attachment!

I am not an engineer but I think it is good nick for its age. Up until now it has driven beautifully and is a great drive. Bodywork is in great condition. It's a good looking motor.

Alas I think the head gasket has gone. There is white vapour from exhaust and there is emulsion on the dipstick. Obviously the car is not worth much (probably scrap now) but I wondered if it might still be worth a refurbish? If I could get another couple or three years that would be good. 

Its had various work done over the last few years. New  brake cylinder and servo, new radiator, rocker gasket, etc.

Any advice gratefully accepted. I've contacted a couple of local garages but they don't do head gaskets! Too much trouble!

Are there any garages that specialise in this kind of revamp?

It is currently off the road.

Sentimental I know!

Many thanks.

John

Hello there 👋 

I have a 2008 E90 320i From Japan and am having some issues with the OBD II Port. I’ve noticed when I try to scan, the scanner sometimes establishes a connection and then while scanning for codes it just goes blank like it lost power. I’ve tried multiple scanners (BlueDriver, OBD Link CX for BimmerCode & Carly) and none can make it to the end of the canning process. So I got to digging and pulled the OBD II port to check pins and wires.

Also found a pinout online for E90’s to make sure it was pinned correctly.

I believe the pinout I found was: 

Pin   Signal                                Description

1       +12V                                   Ignition (In run Or Start)

4       CGND                                Chassis Ground

5       SGND                                Signal Ground

6      CAN HI                              CAN High, J-2284

7       ISO 9141-2 K-LINE       Engine (ISO-9141 and ISO-14230), Automatic Transmission Diagnostic (In Some Models)

8      ISO 9141-2 K-LINE        IKE/KOMBI, ABS, ABS/ASR, ABS/ABD, ESP, DSC, Airbag And Other Electronic Equipment

9      TD/RPM                            Engine Rotation Speed

14     CAN LO                            CAN Low, J-2284

15      ISO 9141-2 L-LINE       L-Line Of ISO 9141-2 And ISO 14230-4

16     +12v                                   Battery Power

So I pulled my OBD II Port and I found that pins 1, 8 and 15 are not present. I also found this rectangular box with some type of capacitor in it attached to the harness with the two can bus wires going through it.

I also have two parts cars from Japan with slight variations in spec, totalling 3 E90’s that I have:

                 Year        Production Date      Engine Code    Transmission    Spec

Main -    2008      10/2007                       N46B20B          GM                        Cloth Electric Seats Non Heated

Parts -   2008       08/2007                     N46B20              ZF                          Leather Electric Seats Heated

Parts -   2010        12/2009                      N46B20B           GM                        Cloth Manual Seats Non Heated

So I pulled the OBD II ports on those as well to check if they were the same, and oddly enough the other 2008 model was setup differently but the 2010 model was setup the same as my white 2008 model. Maybe the transmission used plays a roll on the OBD II pinout seeing that my white 2008 model and the 2010 model both use the GM trans? The 2008 parts car doesn’t have the box with the capacitor in it.

Below I’ll show you the pinout for each vehicle:

White 2008 w/GM Transmission:

Silver 2008 w/ZF Transmission:

Dark Blue 2010 w/GM Transmission:

Any idea what I need to do to get the port to work? I’d imagine I need to start with adding a +12 Volt signal from the ignition switch.

A few days ago, I flashed the original software back from Stage 1. Everything seemed OK until I drove in Comfort mode. The car upshifts under 1000 RPM, and when I press the gas, it doesn’t downshift (it never did this before). Also, the Sport Display (where HP and Nm are shown) is showing some nonsense numbers. The torque should be the original 350 Nm, but the display is going over 450, same with the power. The transmission is completely fine; cruise control also shifts fine.

The car had tuned 305HP and 480NM and now should has 252HP and 350NM

Thanks for every advice

I got my 2023 320D BMW G21 and all it was ok. but now its making this crazy noise out of the ABS pump. I have no idea whats going on here... Has anyone seen this?

Cheers