I can shift automatic, rev engine, but car won't move

Complete Transmission Repair Cost Guide Transmission Forum – Ask an Expert BMW I can shift automatic, rev engine, but car won't move

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  • #3989
    davidj10
    Participant

    Hi, I have a 2001 BMW 325 CI with an automatic trans. It drove fine without and hesitation or vibration and one day I parked it, but when I went to drive it later that day it wouldn’t move. I can rev the engine me shift the trans, but it won’t go forward or reverse. Fluids are good and win shifting there is a slight whine from the trans, but no grinding or clunking noises.
    Any idea what could be the issue? Car has 186,000 miles and I’ve had it only 6 months so no knowledge of the prior service records.
    Thanks, dave

    Need a replacement transmission? Quality transmissions are hard to find. Free estimate to your email.

    #3991
    Hostgator
    Member

    With 186K on the transmission, I have to say that the borrowed time your BMW was living on has been cashed in and run out. Frankly, it could be any number of things, but, the most likely culprits are the torque converter and/or the clutches and bands. Either way, the result is a Bimmer that will start and sounds great, until you try to drive.

    There’s really only one thing that I can recommend for your BMW and that’s a rebuilt transmission. It is the most reliable way to handle things, and the least expensive, too.

    Yes, it is possible to start diagnosing things and replacing one system after another in the transmission in the hope that either a. you can get going again or b. you can keep costs down, but — and here’s the thing — I don’t think either will happen. What will happen is that you may make a bit of process toward getting things solve, but, when you have the transmission put back in its case and you fire up your Bimmer, you’ll still have problems. And, the not-so-funny thing is that as you replace one system at a time, your costs will jump so that by the time you are finished (presuming you replace everything one system at a time) you are probably going to have paid out about $12,000 or so.

    It is much better to invest the $3,400 or so that you will have to put into have a rebuilt transmission installed in the BMW and call it a day. You should be alright for lots of future miles.

    Please keep me in the loop on this, I like to hear the outcomes.

Fair Replacement Transmission Cost by Vehicle

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Fair Remanufactured Transmission Price Ranges by Transmission Model Updated May 1, 2018

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