Gearbox jerk

[greenday-rulz21 5]

Hey,

Looking into buying a '95 E36 328i but I have 1 main issue:

When the gearbox changes from 1st to 2nd from standing theres not a major jerk but its bad enough that you'd want it fixed. To be fair the car wasn't warmed up, but it still did it after taking it for a test drive. Changing up through the gears its perfect from 2-3 on.

The salesman said that it is a worn actuator inside the gearbox and it is a common problem for E36's. True? And he also said that it was fine after it was warmed up.

My questions are, is this a major problem? Whats involved in getting this fixed? and Is it even worth touching?

I appreciate anybody who can spread some light on this, as it is a very straight car apart from this.

Cheers, Nick

[hybrid 1042]

auto ? .. if so screw that will just end up costing you 3500k to fix it. (or getting a second hand box) just buy something without the issues. Especially in the auto gearbox department.

[bravo 34]

Or if you are resigned to the above figure - manual it. It'll cost much the same give or take a few hundred. (probably give) but wouldn't you rather it cost a shade more and you had a manual???

[greenday-rulz21 5]

Thanks bravo and hybrid. Is a shame as its a very straight car. The dealers taking it into a specialist tomorrow to get it checked, so i guess have to wait to see what will need to be done.

[Andrew 30]

I wouldn't worry about it - gearboxes are cheap as chips.

Just negotiate them down and wait for it to break (if it does)

[greenday-rulz21 5]

I wouldn't worry about it - gearboxes are cheap as chips.

Just negotiate them down and wait for it to break (if it does)

Thanks Andrew, So something like this would just swap straight over?

BTW its a Jap import

Edited August 5, 2007 by Nick021

[Andrew 30]

Thanks Andrew, So something like this would just swap straight over?

BTW its a Jap import

Most likely - that's exactly what I mean. So easy to find other boxes.

[greenday-rulz21 5]

Cheers Andrew

Or if you are resigned to the above figure - manual it. It'll cost much the same give or take a few hundred. (probably give) but wouldn't you rather it cost a shade more and you had a manual???

Yea, could i guess but most driving will be done in rush hour traffic so probably not wise. Thanks for the idea

Edited August 6, 2007 by Nick021

[Mark 178]

My 'box does the same thing.... from my research it's common on the Jatco auto gearboxes that were fitted to cars sent to Japan.... It's fine once warmed up. I've also read (on here I think) that you can take it to an auto tranny specialist and they can reset the gearbox computer to fix the problem. I don't worry about it too much though because I have a 3 year mechanical warranty that was transferred to me from the previous owner.