Car needs a new manual transmission, but none are available

[Draper]

I was heading up to the mountains yesterday doing freeway speeds, and all of the sudden started hearing a distinctive whining noise that was only present under load. I pulled over and did quick visual inspection, tried pressing on the brake heat shields (we all know how they love to trap rocks) but no change. Headed towards the dealer to drop the car off. Grabbed my loaner and went on my way.

Got a call today saying they have decided to 'condemn' the transmission as upon draining the fluid they found it was full of metal shavings. A new one has been ordered, but it has to come straight from the assembly line with an ETA of 2 weeks.

Specs: 2016 (late May build) M3 6MT Comp with 5,100 miles

Between this and the theft, it hasn't been a great month for my poor M3.

Update 9/13: Today is day 15, and even though my SA thought they might be able to get this sorted out within 2 weeks, that turned out not to be the case. The car is undrivable as-is, and they still have not gotten any word from BMW on if or when a new box might be available. Has anyone else dealt with a repair that had an indefinite time frame? Anything else I can do besides wait?

Update 9/17: New ETA is end of the month...maybe. I don't think they really have any idea. *sigh*

Update 10/5: New transmission install was completed yesterday, and I picked up the car today. So far it seems to drive as good as new, and I'm very happy to have the car back. It actually feels a little strange seeing it in the garage again.

Thanks everyone!

[BoxKing]

The only outlook where this would benefit you is if you planned to keep the car for many years to come, and if this just happened prior to your warranty coming to an end. Hopefully you have better luck to come, or just ditch that bitch and get another.

[///M///]

Damn. One would expect better from the tranny. Could just be a defective one that escaped the QC.

[FirstF80InSpace]

Wondering if this had anything to do with joyride? Perhaps the thieves had no idea how to drive manual and effed up your tranny.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by FirstF80InSpace

Wondering if this had anything to do with joyride? Perhaps the thieves had no idea how to drive manual and effed up your tranny.

This is what I was thinking too

[AIRHEIR]

Guessing whoever stole it probably beat the crap out there f the tranny. So good thing that u getting new tranny

[Draper]

Originally Posted by FirstF80InSpace

Wondering if this had anything to do with joyride? Perhaps the thieves had no idea how to drive manual and effed up your tranny.

The timing seems to make sense, but I had noticed a few strange noises when down shifting from time to time over the past few months. Nothing consistent like what happened yesterday, but it makes me think there was something already going on.

[shortseller]

Curious to know, have you been using the rev matching feature more than not since ownership?

[Draper]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Curious to know, have you been using the rev matching feature more than not since ownership?

Yes, I keep it in Sport throttle while driving around town so I end up using it ~90% of the time.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Curious to know, have you been using the rev matching feature more than not since ownership?

Can using the rev match feature affect transmission life? Just curious, as I have no idea if it can. I actually use it all the time in my M4, though I rev match myself when driving my other vehicle.

And sorry to hear about your M3, Draper. Been long month for you. At least it will be covered under warranty. Hopefully, they didn't give you a X1 loaner....

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

Can using the rev match feature affect transmission life? Just curious, as I have no idea if it can. I actually use it all the time in my M4, though I rev match myself when driving my other vehicle.

And sorry to hear about your M3, Draper. Been long month for you. At least it will be covered under warranty. Hopefully, they didn't give you a X1 loaner....

Hope someone with technical knowledge chimes in with an answer.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by FirstF80InSpace

Wondering if this had anything to do with joyride? Perhaps the thieves had no idea how to drive manual and effed up your tranny.

Sure as heck seems like it - sorry to hear draper ... well at least you're getting a fresh MT to beat up!

[KevinM]

Well damn. Sorry to hear. At least the dealer is doing the right thing and ordering a brand new transmission.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by BoxKing

or just ditch that bitch and get another.

[damageprone]

It's a good thing you're leasing!

[ArieArie]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

Can using the rev match feature affect transmission life? Just curious, as I have no idea if it can.

---snip---

Yes it does, it actually protects the synchromesh by matching the RPM of the engine to that of the Transmission.,

[Draper]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

Can using the rev match feature affect transmission life? Just curious, as I have no idea if it can. I actually use it all the time in my M4, though I rev match myself when driving my other vehicle.

And sorry to hear about your M3, Draper. Been long month for you. At least it will be covered under warranty. Hopefully, they didn't give you a X1 loaner....

I managed to snag the last X5 they had. This is the 4th car I've had in our garage this month and I think my kids are starting to get confused.

[Ian1973]

Originally Posted by SSDadMobile

Can using the rev match feature affect transmission life? Just curious, as I have no idea if it can. I actually use it all the time in my M4, though I rev match myself when driving my other vehicle.

And sorry to hear about your M3, Draper. Been long month for you. At least it will be covered under warranty. Hopefully, they didn't give you a X1 loaner....

No it can't. Think about what a transmission is, if you can't picture it, go to youtube and watch some videos on the internals. Rev match would not effect the transmission.

It was either the theft the buttholes somehow damaging the transmission(would have to be some seriously bad driving) or it was just a manufacturing flaw. That does happen sometimes.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

No it can't. Think about what a transmission is, if you can't picture it, go to youtube and watch some videos on the internals. Rev match would not effect the transmission.

It was either the theft the buttholes somehow damaging the transmission(would have to be some seriously bad driving) or it was just a manufacturing flaw. That does happen sometimes.

Agree. If anything, the rev match feature would increase the life of the transmission since it perfectly matches every time, something even the best drivers can't nail 100% of the time.

[Mr Pete]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

No it can't. Think about what a transmission is, if you can't picture it, go to youtube and watch some videos on the internals. Rev match would not effect the transmission.

It was either the theft the buttholes somehow damaging the transmission(would have to be some seriously bad driving) or it was just a manufacturing flaw. That does happen sometimes.

Jesus, it was more a question on the rev match feature, and the software behind it. But since you said I should watch YouTube, I will do so. Thanks chief

[kerkiraios00]

If it makes you feel any better.. Years ago I had a wrx sti that was stolen from me and found a week later miles away, I get it back month later my tranny blows.. so most likely the assholes that took it destroyed it like mine..

[Rh6363]

Originally Posted by kerkiraios00

If it makes you feel any better.. Years ago I had a wrx sti that was stolen from me and found a week later miles away, I get it back month later my tranny blows.. so most likely the assholes that took it destroyed it like mine..

They may have thought it was that new "autoshift" with a actual shifter. You know the new kids on the block have them. No need for a clutch pedal, just jam it gear to gear like on you tube.