4.5 year old petrol manual 118i 51,000 miles bought brand new from forecourt and all servicing done by same garage ...... just been told it needs new gearbox and clutch at £6000

has this happened to anyone else?

is this really happening to me ?

Hi Paula

That sounds extreme, at 51k the box wouldn't even be due a service. What do they attribute their diagnosis to ? Not heard of Transmission failures I was fully aware of the Timing chain issues on the small diesel engines.

If I recall correctly the GS6-17 gearbox in your car is made by Getrag who are well known and been around for years gearboxes often outlast engines, so this is unusual in my opinion

I take it that it is a BMW Main Dealer you are dealing with? What symptoms were you experiencing that they were investigating to come up with this? Did you have particular symptoms, difficult changes, shuddering, noises? 

If the car was purchased new and BMW serviced I think first I would get a Second opinion from an Independent BMW Specialist don't give them clues just ask them to investigate, then talk to BMW Customer Services direct put it in writing and ask why/how this is possible. At this low age/mileage you may still have some protection under the Sale of Goods Act as it certainly isn't fit for purpose if it fails this early.

Dave

Hi Dave

Yes BMW main dealer. I’ve heard buzz/whirring noises when accelerating in 3rd, 4th and 6th. Quiet in 5th. Don’t notice anything much in 1st or 2nd. Only started after I had discs and pads changed all round at the end of July. They have said the noise is coming from input at diff. Master technician advised new gearbox because they don’t strip and repair. I took it to another garage and they also said it’s the gearbox but quoted much less than the main dealer £2009. Thankfully since writing my first post the main dealer had contacted BMW on my behalf and they are going to replace the parts for free (I have to pay the labour cost £650). The car has had all its work done by the same dealer I bought it from new so this has probably helped my situation. I think I will try and keep the old one when it gets taken out. Crazy situation. Thanks for you reply.

Morning Paula

Glad you have a sensible resolution though sadly another demonstration that we don't have mechanics in main dealerships anymore just fitters who change parts without thought to the Customers Wallet.

Good luck with trying to retain the part/parts BMW normally retain stuff

Dave

Hi Dave

You were right - I’m not allowed to keep the faulty part. But I have had a further reduction on my labour cost by 20% so I am not so unhappy as I was 24 hours ago. I did have a bad dream about crashing my car under water and swimming to safety though.

Now waiting for the parts to arrive from Germany and get booked in for my repairs. Just want my beautiful car back to how it was 😢 I worked really hard to get it. 

Thanks Again