[Herakles]

Just had my 2011 towed to shop with 100k miles. It’s interesting how this progressed from first signs a year ago. My car only has a mhd s1 and it’s babied I use it as commuter and don’t track it or race it. First noticed some rough shifts from 1-2 and took to bmw they suggested a transition software update noted out of it. After a while noticed the trans would slip and then engage. I stoped driving it till o got it to the shop and inrerestingly it completely stopped going to any gear after I let it sit a few weeks. I asked the shop to do the seals and went with the kit from FCP. I’m torn about spending extra money on solenoids too. Do they typically go bad? Wonder if worth the preventative maintenance.

It’s been a great ride had it since 2015 with 9k miles. I miss it a lot haven’t driven it for a month as the shop was busy. Can’t wait to get it back.
​

[minulache]

Well, maybe you should also check the errors. They might give you an indication of what is going wrong. That hesitation that you were talking about could also be caused by the solenoids.
For sure changing the solenoids would do no harm, only good. But that might not be your problem. A thorough check is needed

[Herakles]

Originally Posted by minulache

Well, maybe you should also check the errors. They might give you an indication of what is going wrong. That hesitation that you were talking about could also be caused by the solenoids.
For sure changing the solenoids would do no harm, only good. But that might not be your problem. A thorough check is needed

Thanks, the shop is doing a diagnostic would be great if they can differentiate between a solenoid issue and a seal issue. From what I researched it sounds like it’s trial and error.

[whyzee125]

Solenoids do go bad--can't guarantee that's your issue, but slow engagement does sound like a solenoid issue. I'd try it and if it doesn't work, buy a used trans and swap your new solenoids into it.

[fastboatster]

did they check the fluid level? If it was moving, but stopped after sitting for a few weeks, it sounds like a fluid leak.

[Herakles]

Hey guys update

I took to shop they said had oils stains on trans pan and when they opened it only about two quarts maybe

They m changed the pan, filter and new oil and driving the car they said it doesn’t shift sharply so they Are going to keep driving it to see if it learns again and adjust if not mention something about resetting the computer settings?

It’s a reputable shop that specializes in Porsche and German car services

I had initially asked him to do the seals proactively, but he didn’t which might suck because now I might pay double the labor if they have to reopen it to do the seals and New 2

I guess I’m wondering when I stopped driving it for a few months because it was acting up did that have anything to do with it?

The real crappy thing about a year ago when I first noticed it shifting hard I took it to the BMW shop and they said they didn’t see any leaks and offered to reset the computer and I didn’t but it was probably running low on transmission oil since then

[Herakles]

Well a little disappointed

He said there’s improvement but still feels slipping a little less though though some fear changes but totally drivable


I expressed frustration that I did send him the link the the kit that included the seals but he changed everything and didn’t do the seals - I explained they are knows to go bad in it and we should try to change them because I don’t want the car back driving like shit

She said he will work on the labor with me a little for the rework and save the oils and re used the new filter and pan

I’m hoping the seal change does it guys

[minulache]

Damn, that's a bit unfortunate. For sure the slippage/jerking is coming from the solenoids and seals...

[Herakles]

Thanks I didn’t tell him to do solenoids just seals

I guess I can try just seals and if not better just take it back or wonder do solenoids too ?

Also meant to ask a lot of people on FCP euro right that the kit for transmission fluid is 7 quarts but it really takes 8 quarts. Is this true? My mechanic insist it’s 7 quarts.

How can you tell it low if there’s no dipstick and can only fill it from the bottom?

[minulache]

The solenoids are the ones that do most of the work. If you open the transmission, the best bet is to do the solenoids. You might not solve anything with just some seals…
There is a filling procedure from BMW and ZF. The filling quantity differs

[darkfires102]

The job is extremely messy and just sucks. I only did seals on my own car as just preventative maintenance and I've seen my adaptation values slowly dropping over time (clutch A and E time are dropping). I have an 09 335xi with a bad shift into 4th that I think is bad solenoid at 68k miles. I think if you're gonna open the transmission to do seals, do the solenoids as well as it only takes the mechanic another 30 minutes to do. But, make sure you check adaptation values beforehand to try to better understand what's going on internally.