BMW 5 Series

keelbump

I just bought my first BMW 528i 1997. I really love the way the car drives.
I am concerned about the automatic transmission though. When the car first started in
cold weather, I typically drive with caution and keep a light touch on the gas.
1st and 2nd gear seem to shift around 2K RPMs but when it comes time to go from
3rd to D it won't shift until the RPM have reached about 3500. This seems really high
Even if I let off the gas doing 35 MPH it will not shift into the higher gears.

Is this a feature or a problem? WHen the car warms up the shifting still seems hard
from 3rd to D but not at low speeds. I think the car is still under factory warranty.
It's in service date in 6/97 and is has 35K miles.

Has anyone had a similar experience with their car and what did you do?

Regards,
tom

Motormouth

they are pretty smooth but once they are abused they have a tendency to "go out".

Take it to a dealer and have 'em take a look at it.

btw, the 5 spd automatics used on the 5 series(V8 5 series), 7 series are ZF's.

the 4 spd autos used on the 3series (328,330,325, etc) are general motors' ones.

if your service advisor knows this, he is a better trained one so ask around.

alcan

The GM Hydra-Matic plant in Stasbourgh, France manufactures transmissions for the following BMW applications:

4L40-E (M90) 4 speed
5L40-E (M82) 5 speed

BMW 3-Series E46 (M90)
BMW 3-Series E46 (M82)
BMW 5-Series E39 (M82)

Hydra-Matic Transmission -- Model Year 2000

Product Specifications

Type:
Four or five speed rear-wheel-drive, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission with a torque converter clutch
Engine Range:
2.5L - 2.8L (M82) - 3.0L diesel (M82)
1.8L - 2.0L (M90)
Maximum Engine Torque:
280 lb-ft (380 Nm)
Maximum Gearbox Torque:
494 lb-ft (670 Nm)
Gear Ratios:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Rev
M82 3.46 2.21 1.59 1.00 0.76 3.17
M90 2.82 1.54 1.00 0.71 2.39
Maximum Speed Shift:
6500 rpm
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight:
7716 lb (3500 kg)
7-Position Quadrant:
P,R,N,D,3,2,1
Case Material:
Die Cast Aluminum
Control Systems:
Shift Pattern: (3) Three-way on/off solenoids
Shift Quality: Force motor control
Torque Converter Clutch: Pulse width modulated solenoid control
Converter Size:
245 mm and 258 mm (reference) (M82) 258 mm (reference) (M90)
(Diameter of torque converter turbine)
Fluid Type:
Dexron® III
Transmission Weight (with 245 mm converter):
Dry: 73kg (161 lb.)
Wet: 80 kg (176 lb.)
Fluid Capacity (Approximate):
Dry: (with 245 mm) 8.5L (9.5 qt)
Pressure Taps Available:
Line pressure
Manufactured:
Stasbourg, France
APPLICATIONS:
BMW 3-Series E46 (M90)
BMW 3-Series E46 (M82)
BMW 5-Series E39 (M82)

The same plant also manufactures the Hydra-Matic 4L30-E (ML4) transmission for the BMW Z3 Roadster.

bornagain

could you be more specific in the future???:)
What about the 98 3 series E36 4 speed auto??
(i know this is a 5 series discussion but i will take advantage of this wealth of knowledge!)

alcan

The same GM Hydramatic plant in Stasbourgh, France manufactured the Turbo-Hydramatic MR1 (THMR-1) transmission for the following 1998 BMW E36 vehicles:

BMW 3-Series E36 (M44)
BMW 3-Series E36 (M52)

Bellhousings differ to suit engine applications.

Warranty is 4 year/80,000 Km, and if transmission operational irregularities are perceived, there are numerous programming updates.

rmattison

Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge
about the clutch on the 540i 6-speed. I've had
50 years of experience with very good clutch life, including four previous BMWs. But my 540i 6-speed clutch lasts only about 40,000 miles before it starts slipping badly. I'm about to replace the clutch for the second time at 88,000 miles and I know I have not been abusing it. My last BMW clutch had 105,000 miles on it when I turned it over to a son. He had no problems for the next 85,000 miles.

dhanley

Do that ( hold low gears when cold ). It's to warm up the engine more quickly in cold weather.

dave