gotta spare tranny? (94 auto 540i)

[wec5]

I got my new (to me) little baby bimmer a few months ago, and I really Love the ride. But...
...when starting the day, it began feeling like my brakes were on as I pulled out of the garage. Transmission problem, I figured, so I took it to the best place in the area. "Welded reverse clutch", he said. Gotta rebuild it or get another.
None in the local wrecking yards. It's a 1994 ZF 5HP-30.
Got a good one lying around? Looks like I'm in the market if you're looking to sell.
Does the tranny from any other year work? One person told me it HAD to be out of a 1994 540i only, not 740 or any other year. Is my leg being pulled?

Thanks for the help.

(Oh, and do I really have to use $300 a gallon BMW trans fluid? No Type F or Dextron, huh? Dang, this IS a driving machine!)

[Johntee540]

you can use any ZF 5HP30 Transmission in that car. It can come from a 540/740/840. 94-95. The fluid does cost that much if you are reclaiming one from junkyard.

I went with remanufactured one from EBaY and Kurt Koeller. It was 2700 plus install with all new ZF Parts and a warranty. You may want to investigate. - JT

[tim s]

Full Name: Kirt Koeller
Job Title: ZF Transmission Expert
Company: Auto Sports Unlimited

Business: (800) 624-3876 ex 5735
Business 2: (616) 748-5735

E-mail: europetransman@hotmail.com



tim s.

[avitt2]

This sounds like a valve body problem. I had the same problem on my 540i a few months ago, and I fixed it myself, with Kirt Koeller's help. This repair should be closer to $500 than the $3500 a rebuilt transmission would cost.

[wec5]

wait, wait...
... you're telling me that your car had the same problem as mine -- I pressed on the gas and the car barely limped out. Then, it would jump with the power a 540 should have.
I could take it on the road, but I was afraid to drive in traffic.
And I could fix all this FOR THE COST OF A NEW VALVE BODY!!

[tim s]

to resolve multiple issues.
tim s.

[SharkmanBMW]

he saved my ass last summer, great guy with great info and solutions to the ZF 5HP30 issues.
total rebuild cost me 600$ canadian thanks to him... without the help of Kirt & the board it could have gotten ugly!

[632 Regal]

yep, sticking balls in the valvebody. The plastic balls wear over the years and get smaller leading them to stick. The car should be moveable while in "M" mode but dont drive it very far cause you could seriously mess the thing up! Get the valvebody from kurt and you will get your body deposit back when you send yours in. I hope you didnt fry it by driving it like that?

Yes you have to use the correct (expensive) fluid in there.

[l8apex]

If you decide that you want to replace it. I have a 1994 540iA that I purchsed new. It has 180,000 miles on it, and I have never had any problems with the transmission. I have collected nearly all the parts I need to do a conversion to a six-speed except the lightened flywheel. Make me an offer, I'm in central Iowa.
I'll even throw in a ten liter jug of the expensive tranny fluid, gratis!
Dave Brennan

[SharkmanBMW]

I have always wanted to know ...................... ;)

[wec5]

I have always wanted to know ...................... ;)


$5500 with 160K miles on it this summer. Much less than the $10,000 book value. But with the DME probs I've had and now the tranny, it looks like my costs will be about the same.

Just before I got mine, my girlfriend bought a 1990 735il and paid the same for hers, then a month or so later we replaced the cracked head.

Yes, I did have both cars checked by european specialists before purchase. I'm understanding why people call 'em BMtroubleyou / BreakMyWallet.

[l8apex]

M.S.R.P. was $47,500. Add $1,350 for ASC+T, $370 for heated seats, $1,000 for gas guzzler tax, and $450 destination charge. Total sticker was $50,670. Then the dealer added $1100 for the CD changer, $1184.56 for the built-in cellular phone, luxury tax of $1508.81, sales tax of $2,354.40, title fee of $45.00, registration of $486. We did a deal so that the final total cost was $50,718..85.

Dave

[minghong]

you can use any ZF 5HP30 Transmission in that car. It can come from a 540/740/840. 94-95. The fluid does cost that much if you are reclaiming one from junkyard.

I went with remanufactured one from EBaY and Kurt Koeller. It was 2700 plus install with all new ZF Parts and a warranty. You may want to investigate. - JT


BMW dealer told me the trans doesn't need fluid change. Is it true? Bought mine at 157k wish it can last forever.

[l8apex]

I bought my car new, and I have never changed the "lifetime" fluid. The car has 180,000 miles on the original Nikasil block, and I have never had any engine or transmission problems. I considered changing the fluid a while back, but was advised by "those who know" to leave it alone on the premise that new fluid would be likely to loosen up sediment or other deposits which would circulate through the transmission and valve body and either cause additional wear or obstruct fluid passages/check balls. etc in the valve body. I left it alone, and have never had any problems with the transmission, even though I run it hard at the track.
Dave B.

[632 Regal]

Lifetime fluid is just that, lifetime meaning as long as the car is under warantee. Change the filter and the fluid that comes out with it every 30k.

[MantecaBMW]

And use the expensive fluid or can you use Dexron III?

[l8apex]

If the tranny craps out after using a substitute, you'll be kicking yourself, even if you're not sure of the cause. A 10 liter jug is about $100. Cheap insurance.
Dave B.

[632 Regal]

530 trans uses Dextron III
540 trans uses the expensive Shell stuff.

never ever mix and match!

[ejhiggins]

where do you get the 10 liter for $100?

[l8apex]

I have to admit that I haven't purchased any or priced it for a few years. I think I got it from Pacific BMW a few years back. Shop around. Roundel advertizers are fairly reasonable, as are Turner and HMS.
Dave

[minghong]

told by BMW dealer service no need to change fluid on mine 94 540i. Was incredulous but no experience owning and driving this with 165k on it.

[infinity5]

Does Kirt's expertise lie only in our automatic transmissions? or is he a good source for information/help/parts of manuals as well?

[TroysBnW]

Have similar issues recently with my 94 540i transmission (w 150k). Coincidentally, it's happening a couple of weeks after my inspection II (where they drained tranny fluid and replaced it; have to check with my mechanic if they replaced it with the quality stuff). We brought it to a dealership and upon their inspection, they noticed metal bits with the liquid. They say at least 1 year of use before the whole transmission has to be replaced (ouch!). A couple of you have been referring a Kurt Koeller (what state?). I read something about sticky balls and no-change lifetime fluids. Any thoughts?

[cschneider]

The lifetime fluid needs to be changed and it needs to be changed with the correct stuff. Either the Shell if you're simply doing a fluid change or with the cheaper Esso (available through VW) if you do a rebuild. The problem is that this fluid is designed specifically for the seals and adhesives in these transmissions. Use anything else and say goodbye to some important internals. Only deal with Kirt Koeller in Zeeland, MI. He is a class guy and has gotten so many of us out of jams it's unreal.

[Tiger]

DO NOT DRIVE CAR ANY FURTHER. Call Kirt Koeller for valve body rebuild... that is all you need... plus new fluids. As for the fluid, I have used Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF for 9 months now... zero problem.

Pennzoil said it is fully compatible. I think it is same stuff.

[Tiger]

Yes, see my post below.

[632 Regal]

Kirt Koeller
europetransman@hotmail.com
direct (616)748-5735