BMW E39 540i Auto gearbox questions..

[HARDCORE]

So my Boss drives an E39 540i Touring. Unfortunately it recently started dropping into safe mode & spitting out Autobox related fault codes. It now won't drive at all and his local BMW specialists have declared the gearbox kaput and quoted £1800+VAT to supply and fit a replacement

For obvious reasons that isn't an option, so I'd appreciate assistance with the following questions:

1. Do all E39 540i Auto's have the same box (so if I buy one from a breaker it'll definitely be the right one)
2. What other BMW's have the same gearbox? (so I can broaden my search somewhat)
3. Any special tools or procedures required to swap them over? CANBUS?
4. Anyone got one?


I thank you

[useless inc]

I used www.realoem.com to get the gearbox id's when I was having problems with my 740i. The box in yours is probably A5S440Z.
Your cheapest way to get one is out a 740i but they came with ther A5S440Z or A5S560Z.

The trans fluid is also a fortune for these. BMW only £12 a litre. It takes 6 litres for a normal oil change then double and add some if you want to change what's in the torque convertor.

This would seem a sensible time to find a 6speed manual box.

[HARDCORE]

That is excellent information and a useful site - thanks very much. You've lived up to the inverse of your username.

According to that it's a A5S440Z.

Will 'normal' transfluid make it kill kittens then? £144+ is total madness..


Thanks again

[adamwatson]

Pretty sure the e39 uses the same gearbox as the e38 7 series. I have the diagnostic cable and software if you're anywhere near Sandhurst. They are only about £35 on eBay if not

[adamwatson]

The gearboxes are a bit fussy on fluids but there are alternatives to the BMW ones that are much cheaper

[10mpg]

I've done loads of these boxes, you don't need the BMW fluid, get the ID and the colour of the tag on the bottom and phone a Comma stockist, it's usually about £25 for 5 litres it's a semi synthetic blend, autobox takes about 5-6 litres, cooler and Torque converter about the same, make sure you flush these out at the same time to remove crud, also whack a filter kit in the box and clean out the magnets.

DO NOT USE STANDARD ATF

[useless inc]

There's lots of ZOMG kittenz will die if you use anything other than the BMW fluid stuff ut there so that's good to know there an actual alternative that won't kill the box.

I bought a filter that I never used but I can't remember what box mine had in it. It's still un-opened in the packet.
I was going to put it on ebay but if it's the right one you can have it at a cheapo price as I'll not use it it again.

[10mpg]

This sealed for life stuff is nonsense, BMW are steadily gaining a reputation for having 'dodgy' autoboxes when all they need is new fluid every 60-70k...

[adamwatson]

the7seriesregister.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=11963&pid=88134&st=0&#entry88134

Here is a how to for a 7 but they'll be the same

[adamwatson]

the7seriesregister.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=11963&pid=88134&st=0&#entry88134

Fluid change how to for a 7 but it should be the same

[ChasR]

Jul 16, 2012 20:32:35 GMT 10mpg said:

This sealed for life stuff is nonsense, BMW are steadily gaining a reputation for having 'dodgy' autoboxes when all they need is new fluid every 60-70k...

Whilst I agree that there are ways in which to change the oil on these 'boxes do you think a 'terminal' gearbox (i.e with the gearbox light and possibly some shifting issues) can be brought back to life with an oil change or is its goose cooked long before then?

[HARDCORE]

This one has been underwater, then driven - gearbox didn't like that much.

Insurance co are deciding what to do with it now, but it's still pretty likely a fix will be required.. thanks all for your input

[10mpg]

Jul 17, 2012 10:59:03 GMT ChasR said:

Jul 16, 2012 20:32:35 GMT 10mpg said:

This sealed for life stuff is nonsense, BMW are steadily gaining a reputation for having 'dodgy' autoboxes when all they need is new fluid every 60-70k...

Whilst I agree that there are ways in which to change the oil on these 'boxes do you think a 'terminal' gearbox (i.e with the gearbox light and possibly some shifting issues) can be brought back to life with an oil change or is its goose cooked long before then?

No i never claimed that a terminal gearbox could be brought back with new fluid, I'm just seeing a lot of cars with knackered autoboxes at around 120-40k that are still on their original fluid, ive changed the oil in several e46's e39's and X5's when the owners reported the 'gearbox feels funny' and with the manky oil drained out and new filter fitted oddly enough they drive like new!

I'm just saying the the 'sealed for life' thing is BS the gearbox oil needs changing periodically, and owners would benefit greatly from ignoring the BMW service book and getting the fluid changed every 5 years or so, it bears thinking about that if the boxes truley were sealed for life, why do BMW carry the oil on the shelf?

[ChasR]

Fear not, I was not saying that you claimed gearboxes could be brought back from the dead, but it is interesting to hear the perspective of someone who clearly works with the gearboxes more frequently than most .

I agree on the gear oil changes. When I had my last Mondeo V6 on a Jatco 5 speed 'box, one local transmission place told me it was pointless changing the oil since they went bang every 50k in his opinion (he claimed that my gearbox covered 150,000 miles was nothing short of a miracle.) When the gearbox was changed at 190k (driveshaft splines stripped themselves within the 'box) the autobox specialist (another one) was of the same opinion as you (saying that changes every 50,000 miles or so do help with gearbox life .

Indeed, when I sold the car, the new owner (a colleague of mine) did comment on how the changes became much smoother (in his words, more like a silky smooth auto, and not a manual 'box) after he changed the gearbox oil for the Jatco specified oil, saying the old stuff was not too clean (but then after 60k of varied mileage I guess I was not expecting it to be!).