Devastated -help needed asap

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Xenebee
Joined: Tue 02 Jun, 2015 20:37
Posts: 3

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Brentwood

Devastated -help needed asap

Post by Xenebee »

Dearest Z3 owners
My 97 1.9 was hit at the rear wheel and was written off. I wanted to save her and get her back on the road, but the local mechanic told me the chassis was bent and to say goodbye, which I did. I only had her for 18 months....gutted.

My question is....I want to replace her, same specifications and colour etc. I have seen one, same year, 75k on the clock, but it's automatic! How many miles can I expect the automatic transmission gearbox to last, when it has 75k already?
I have itchy feet, but don't want to be heartbroken again, too soon, so how long can an automatic box last?
Thank you in advance
Xen
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
Posts: 9521

  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by Gazza »

BMW auto boxes are good so should last a while.

We had an auto 330ci on 105K no problems at all.

I would drive an auto before you decide to buy.
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by Del »

These automatic boxes aren't like some of the less reliable ones fitted in some more modern Volkswagon Audi Group cars. They are pretty much bullet proof. Personally, I would have no worries at 75K miles
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pingu
Joined: Fri 30 Apr, 2004 16:01
Posts: 3412

  M roadster S50

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by pingu »

As long as the car is used it will be ok. I have an E46 auto that is rarely used and it's auto-box has problems until it has been used for a day or two.
Pingu
therealdb1
Joined: Tue 25 Jun, 2013 21:47
Posts: 263

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by therealdb1 »

If it is a 97 car it will be a proper auto box with a torque converter not one of these modern so called auto boxes which are really manual gearboxes but some computer changes gear for you. The paddle gearshift normally gives these away!
The gearbox in a 1.9 will probably last longer than the rest of the car and 75k is nothing. There will no doubt be much more to worry about on a 20 year old car than the gearbox :(
However, take Gazza's advice and try before you buy.
Take out some insurance, if necessary, and have a thorough test drive not just to the end of the road and back.
The characteristics of the car with an automatic will be different to a manual and you may, or may not like it.
My daily driver is a non-BMW automatic and is fine as a means of transport but if you buy a 2 seat sports car presumably you enjoy the engagement of stirring the cogs.
Xenebee
Joined: Tue 02 Jun, 2015 20:37
Posts: 3

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Brentwood

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by Xenebee »

Thank you all very much for your quick responses, and your very helpful advice.
gookah
Z Register member
Joined: Thu 07 Aug, 2008 09:51
Posts: 2737

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by gookah »

not to be the bearer of bad news but we had a 1.9 auto, bought it and we found out that it had had a full gearbox rebuild. we didn't even keep it 6 months because we felt it still wasn't right and the warranty wasn't transferrable to us.
It was extremely clunky when changing gears
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Z3 2.8 Progress Journal (Mine)
Z3 1.9 Sport Progress Journal (Wifey's)

I have an element of 'M-styling' on my car, If that's a good enough reason for the manufacturers to adorn a 320 with the M badge, then its certainly a good enough reason for me..
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BonBon
Joined: Tue 08 Jan, 2008 21:10
Posts: 1227

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Devastated -(1.9L automatic transmission)

Post by BonBon »

I am lightfooted (never drive in Sport mode to save petrol) and my Auto gear is still going strong (334kkm) - but started to show signs of slipping at 320kkm.
Update March 2017 - finally died at 347,000km.
Last edited by BonBon on Mon 27 Mar, 2017 17:20, edited 1 time in total.
Tilly
Joined: Wed 26 May, 2004 19:45
Posts: 439

  M roadster S50
Location: Sussex

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by Tilly »

Our 1.9 auto is almost 20 years old, albeit with only 50,000 miles on the clock. Never had any problems with the auto. I am now going to admit to a very dangerous statement. On some occasions I prefer to drive it over the M Roadster. Maybe I am getting old or is it just too many restrictions on our roads?
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Can you buy the written-off car back and use it as a donor to swap the trans in the new car? It would be a very easy swap if you had both cars at the same time. Plus you'd have a spare engine at the end of, plus a load of spares (if you have the space to keep them).
spurs fan in a coupe
Joined: Fri 18 Apr, 2008 19:24
Posts: 1446

  Z3 coupe 2.8
Location: woking

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by spurs fan in a coupe »

I've a 1.9 auto (r reg) that has had a passenger's side front corner impact if you do choose to try to keep your old car?

I'm in Woking, Surrey
we expres: " He did hear the bells ringing, but doesnt know where where the clapper hangs".
Juvvajuvva
Joined: Sun 06 Nov, 2016 16:52
Posts: 87

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Devastated -help needed asap

Post by Juvvajuvva »

Definitely agree, buy your car from your insurance company.
I have done this and if I'm not mistaken I paid them 10% of what
They payed out to me.In fact they just took it off my payment.
Torque converters can be remanufactured but those boxes are very good.
I have an early auto BMW with 160k miles and it is perfect.
However, I have changed it's oil twice in the last
100k. I feel this is the key to prolonging the life
of your box.
Perhaps drive the auto and see if you like the power delivery first and see then if is has any
anomalies.
Good luck.
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