Steptronic issues are making me
- Thread starter jnx
- Start date
Based on others' experiences on this board, the problem seems to have been isolated and corrected in terms of there being a fix in the replacement trannys as of about Dec '03/Jan '04. But BMW has never made any statements as to when the problem was corrected in terms of build dates (and frankly, I don't expect them to ever make one). They have never made any public statements acknowledeging the problem either.
So are you taking a risk? I would say so. How big is it? I don't think anyone can say for sure. It's up to you. Wish I could be more help.
So are you taking a risk? I would say so. How big is it? I don't think anyone can say for sure. It's up to you. Wish I could be more help.
I'm not sure BMW knows for sure. Look on the window sticker. If the country of origin for the tranny is Germany, you should be ok.. From what I've found out the ones from France have caused the most problems. I have no proof but I believe the problem was solved early this year. If it does go bad, you have 4 years of warranty coverage. Others who have had the problem won't agree with me but I would not have a problem with having a tranny replaced. You won't be able to get the smile off your face once behind the wheel. Buy and enjoy.
Does it state on the window sticker, where the trans is from? I also sent an email to BMW and the reply was that some 3 series cars manufactured between 9/02 thru 12/03 are affected. I would assume that mine was made after that. It just arrived at the dealer. How can I tell from the vin, when the car was manufactured? Thanks for the help. I really appreciate your expertise.
The window sticker will tell you where the tranny was manufactured. But frankly, at this point ... even if it says France ... I'm not sure what it proves. Three months ago I wouldn't have said that. I don't believe there is any way to derive the build date from the VIN. The build date should be on the inside of the driver's side door.
If it just arrived at the dealer, it was built in late Feb or early March. As Larry stated, open the driver's door, look at the tag with the VIN# on it and it will say built 02-04 or 03-04.. It's easy for me to say but you are worrying for nothing. The tag is not on the door but on the body. With the door open, you will see the tag on the right on the body. It also has tire pressures listed on it.
IMHO it would be a public relations suicide if they were still shipping new cars with bad transmissions. But who knows? It looks like the only way we'll know for sure is if new buyers don't post any issues in the next few months.
Maybe you need to consider it this way: If it DOES develop the problem, how will you feel and react? If you'll be satisfied with BMW repairing your new car, take delivery. If it will eat at you, make you really angry, etc. then maybe you should not take delivery.
Let us know what you decide. If you cancel, I'm certain a lot of people will be interested in what the dealer said, how you do/don't get your down payment back, etc. Good Luck.
Maybe you need to consider it this way: If it DOES develop the problem, how will you feel and react? If you'll be satisfied with BMW repairing your new car, take delivery. If it will eat at you, make you really angry, etc. then maybe you should not take delivery.
Let us know what you decide. If you cancel, I'm certain a lot of people will be interested in what the dealer said, how you do/don't get your down payment back, etc. Good Luck.