540i Gearbox Question

[Mike.Gayner 0]

(BMW newbie) Hi, I'm looking at buying a 1994 BMW 540i with about 170,000km. The only issue I'm aware of is that when first started from cold, the gearbox is slow to change gears. After a minute or so of driving everything is back to normal. Should I be concerned about this? I'm having it taken in for an AA inspection anyway, but should I save my $150 and walk away now? Or is it normal behavior for these cars?

Thanks.

[bravo 34]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum!

There are a fwe of the BMW boxes that hold gears when cold. The e36 ones on the m50 motors are reknown for it. They tend to do it after a few years, but not from new.

I am not all that familiar with the 540i trans, but sounds like much the same thing. It is possible to remedy, and a good flush, fluid change and belt adjustment on the box may improve things somewhat, and will definately extend the life of the gearbox. If no improvement is seen from this, then you have the choice of living with it and quite possibly enjoying many years of happy motoring, or the box may be on the way out, which can be expensive to fix esp. if the repair involves a reconditioned box whether this one or a replacement.

The other point I'd like to make is that, traditionally those of us in the BMW world have found that your average AA tech, is not necessarily all that familiar with the various idiosyncrasies of bmws and you are far better off taking it to a specialist from the start. Your money will be much better spent.

You don't say where you are from so I can't recommend anywhere, post back your location and someone will point youin the right direction.

-Graham

[540i TOURING 0]

(BMW newbie) Hi, I'm looking at buying a 1994 BMW 540i with about 170,000km. The only issue I'm aware of is that when first started from cold, the gearbox is slow to change gears. After a minute or so of driving everything is back to normal. Should I be concerned about this? I'm having it taken in for an AA inspection anyway, but should I save my $150 and walk away now? Or is it normal behavior for these cars?

Thanks.

Hi Mike I would not recomend AA for pre purchase inspections for BMW's. They have got it totally wrong the last two BMW's I have bought.

You need to get the check done at a reputable BMW dealer, you might pay a bit more but they know these cars inside out.

And yes the Trans's can be very very expensive to fix (speaking from experience )

Try Glenn at Botany Motor Worx, they have always looked after me but more importantly they give a sh..t which is hard to find now a days.

Cheers

Adam

[540i TOURING 0]

Ha ha beat me to it by 3 minutes Graham

[Mike.Gayner 0]

Ha ha beat me to it by 3 minutes Graham

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Tauranga and the car is in Maketu. If anyone knows of a good dealer around here (Tauranga/Te Puke) that would be handy. Ta.

[Cale 36]

I will also vouch for spending your $150 pre-purchase money not on AA, but a special BMW workshop (i.e. Glenn).

AA just do generic checks (probably just another WOF inspection) which do not pick up BMW specific weak points.

[greenday-rulz21 4]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Tauranga and the car is in Maketu. If anyone knows of a good dealer around here (Tauranga/Te Puke) that would be handy. Ta.

Coombes Johnston

[BM WORLD 1258]

some hold gears longer when cold as to heat up the O2 sensors or cats so they work better.

[kiwi535 538]

Coombes Johnston

hewletts rd

[rxsumo 33]

Ah ...so you are looking at the green one - huh?

I was going to have a look at it, as it has lower mileage , and better spec than my current one

The slow to change first thing doesnt seem to be an issue, my one is sluggish to change for the first 3 km in the morning....its been like that for a couple of years, with no ill effects.

My old 535 had a real issue, when it wouldn't shift out of first when cold, and if you manually shifted it, 2nd had no drive. This turned out to be the fibre clutches in the trans disintregrating - a flush and service sorted it, although the trannie speciallist wouldnt warrenty how long it work work for, it was fine 6 months later when I sold the car.

I would suggest that it wouldnt be a problem, but if that is the only issue you might be better to have a trans speciallist have a look to be sure.

[Mike.Gayner 0]

Ah ...so you are looking at the green one - huh?

So you're familiar with it? Seems a steal at $5k, don't you think? Have you seen it in person?

[rxsumo 33]

No, not familar with it, but it looks to be good value for money, however I suspect it won't sell in a hurry at the price he is asking, the market for V8 BMWs probably aint too flash at the moment.

The car is a good spec'd car, just check that its had all the usual E34 "issues" fixed, and the air con is working

[Mike.Gayner 0]

I wound up buying said car on Trademe. The inspection at Coombes (who are very friendly, professional and meticulous I might add) resulted in a shopping list of issues, but nothing you wouldn't expect from a car this age. It's indeed going to need some money spent on it, but I wound up picking it up for $5,400. The body is in great shape, and the interior will come up very well with a good clean. The engine is great and so is the gearbox.

Issues outstanding include play in the inner tie rod, play in a swaybar link, battery at 65% (unservicable), uneven tyre wear (obviously related to the steering and suspension wear) and a number of smaller issues. It's also overdue for the Inspection service, so I'm thinking of just taking it to the workshop and having them fix up all the little issues. I'm waiting on an estimate from the workshop, and if it's acceptable I will go ahead with this. Otherwise, I'll fix the WOF issues immediately, and work through the minor issues over time.

I'll post some pictures soon.

[Katalyst 0]

my mechanic and uncle have both got e34 540i"s, and have both had rebuilt gearboxes, from memory around the 6-7 grand mark!!!!!

uncles one started clunking in reverse, and then started to randomly chop down a few gears while cruising along the motorway!!!!

[soarer260@hotmail.com 0]

Hey Mike, good purchase!

I was looking into that one last week but found another that I preffered more so....

Mine goes fantastically, and had a fair few of the common issues sorted out - plenty to do but what can one expect.

Glad someone here bought that one off TM though.

Enjoy!

Mike.

[Jamez 2147483647]

then started to randomly chop down a few gears while cruising along the motorway!!!!

WHAT!!!! that would be scarey as in wet weather lol

[Katalyst 0]

WHAT!!!! that would be scarey as in wet weather lol

yeah mate!!! they were coming back from north shore stadium one night along the motorway, and all of a sudden it chopped down a few gears and almost sent them through the window!!!!!! pulled over straight away, rang the mechanic and got it towed home!!!!

wouldve ben scary as HELL!!!!!!!!