[killahurtz]

I just found out that my 06 BMW 325i have a transmission problem. I would get a transmission warning light along with the car switching to limp home mode. This happened a couple of times, especially when driving over 60 mph. Took it the dealership and I got this result:

4F8B EGS: ratio Monitoring Gearshift 5-6

Basically, there is a problem when shifting from 5th to 6th gear. The only way to fix it is to have the transmission rebuilt or buy a new one. None of these options are cost effective because it would cost more than the car is worth.

The rest of the car is in great condition, so I don't want just to toss it. I don't think I can sell it because that would be unethical. I would like to drive my BMW until I can get another vehicle to replace it. My thought is to drive it in manual mode and not accelerate to a speed that requires me to shift into 6th gear. Will that work without further damaging the transmission?

[GoRomeo]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1318219

[patents]

Originally Posted by killahurtz

I don't think I can sell it because that would be unethical.

It's not unethical if you tell the buyer it has a problem. It would probably be best financially to just have it rebuilt and keep driving the car.

I don't see why you can't just drive in manual mode.

[smass]

I just purchased a base 06 325i with a ZF transmission that occasionally went into limp mode. The seller was up front about the issue and we were able to agree on a reasonable price. I am going to change the solenoids/seals myself and hope for the best. Worst case, I can part it out to get my money back. To put it in perspective, the previous owner spent more money last year on tires, brakes, battery and oil filter housing leak repairs than I did to purchase the car.

I picked it up mostly because the car has never been wrecked and and the interior was decent. It has a new water pump thermostat and starter. It will need a radio LED, windshield strip, belly pan, key slot in dash, window regulator and even the stupid broken head bolt by the oil filter. This car will be my winter project and I will give it to my 16 year old daughter in March.

[killahurtz]

Originally Posted by smassey321

I just purchased a base 06 325i with a ZF transmission that occasionally went into limp mode. The seller was up front about the issue and we were able to agree on a reasonable price. I am going to change the solenoids/seals myself and hope for the best. Worst case, I can part it out to get my money back. To put it in perspective, the previous owner spent more money last year on tires, brakes, battery and oil filter housing leak repairs than I did to purchase the car.

I picked it up mostly because the car has never been wrecked and and the interior was decent. It has a new water pump thermostat and starter. It will need a radio LED, windshield strip, belly pan, key slot in dash, window regulator and even the stupid broken head bolt by the oil filter. This car will be my winter project and I will give it to my 16 year old daughter in March.

How much did you buy it for? That can give me an idea on how much I should sell it for.

[killahurtz]

Originally Posted by patents

It's not unethical if you tell the buyer it has a problem. It would probably be best financially to just have it rebuilt and keep driving the car.

I don't see why you can't just drive in manual mode.

Thanks!

[GottWhat]

You can also buy a used one and have it installed. Any independent shop should be able to swap them for you.

Check car-part.com - here is one with only 34,000 miles...

[smass]

Originally Posted by killahurtz

How much did you buy it for? That can give me an idea on how much I should sell it for.

PM sent. If I were you, I would search around and see if you can find a shop to rebuild just the valve body. You may be able to stay under $2k that way. There are a lot of success stories on the E53 forums where they have been using the 6 speed ZF since 2004.

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by killahurtz

I just found out that my 06 BMW 325i have a transmission problem. I would get a transmission warning light along with the car switching to limp home mode. This happened a couple of times, especially when driving over 60 mph. Took it the dealership and I got this result:

4F8B EGS: ratio Monitoring Gearshift 5-6

Basically, there is a problem when shifting from 5th to 6th gear. The only way to fix it is to have the transmission rebuilt or buy a new one. None of these options are cost effective because it would cost more than the car is worth.

The rest of the car is in great condition, so I don't want just to toss it. I don't think I can sell it because that would be unethical. I would like to drive my BMW until I can get another vehicle to replace it. My thought is to drive it in manual mode and not accelerate to a speed that requires me to shift into 6th gear. Will that work without further damaging the transmission?

Don't assume that the whole tranny is toast because of the behavior/errors you are getting. My 06 330i did the same thing and had a 2-1 jerk when completing stops. I replaced the tranny fluid, no change. I reset the adaptations, the problem would go away. Within 250miles it would come back. Jerks, slips, flare, and gear ratio monitoring codes.

The fix was to buy replace all of the transmission solenoins on the valvebody/mechatronic. They cost about $500 from thectsc.com. That completely rejuvenated my ZF6 tranny and it literally felt brand new, until I later sold the car.

The solenoids do wear/age/get lazy over time. I would replace them before writing the tranny off as a whole. Chances are, they are likely the culprit in your vehicle too.

Get a new pan/filter while you are in there. This is an easy DIY, if you are so inclined. The hardest part is raising the vehicle up (the front/rear must be level), but the rest is child's play.

Another option is to buy the solenoids and let your favorite mechanic install them. I bet you will be more than pleased.

The jerks and limp modes were obvious, but I had no idea how sloppy the tranny was in general until after I experienced it with new solenoids. With new solenoids the difference was night and day. Just reversing out of the driveway was better with Reverse or Drive being engaged instantly when I moved the shift lever. It took new solenoids for me to notice that it was lagging before.

Definitely look into this before spending big $$$$ elsewhere. You got the car for cheap, so consider the $$$$ spent on tranny service a good investment.

[STR8-6IX]

drive in manual mode and dont use 6th gear.

[smass]

Send your code to ZF. I sent mine yesterday and already got a response.

http://www.zf.com/usa_canada/en_us/c..._inquiries.jsp

After reading about ZF issues for many hours, nearly all the problems are solved by new solenoids and or the Mechatronic Seal Adapter. Both of these are very easy to get to once the pan is removed. I would describe this a level 1 rebuild. Level 2 would rebuild the valve body which also is not difficult. The valve body is removed to replace the solenoids. Level 3 would get into the upper part of the transmission which IMHO is not worth the effort as used transmissions would be a better value. Lots of good info here. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1318219

[GMWNashville]

Does your car have the ZF or GM trans? If I remember correctly it could have either..

[smass]

Originally Posted by GMWNashville

Does your car have the ZF or GM trans? If I remember correctly it could have either..

E90 06 325i and 330i both have 6 speed ZF. GMs were used in some 06 E46 and most 07+ 328i (328i coupes sometimes got ZF)

[motoguy128]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

drive in manual mode and don't use 6th gear.

I think sport mode also stays out of 6th until higher speeds, maybe 90+ mph. But on mine, the shifts are a little abrupt sometimes.

[killahurtz]

Thanks for all your advice!