BMW M3 SMG problem

frostie500

Hi guys,
I've an 02 E46 M3 and have been having some problems with the SMG gearbox lately, car shifting into neutral. I've changed all the relays and the problem still comes back. I've had a full diagnostics done by a BMW garage and it looks like the hydraulic pump needs to be changed. Has anyone had any experience similar to this and if so could you recommend someone to do the work.
Thanks!

Idbatterim

try valdas motor confidence Ph 0868964573 , maybe post up your issue on http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7

discodavie

The smg pumps in the m series give trouble and the red cog is a known issue.

Best if luck on that as the only thing to do is get a new one and get it put in by competent bmw specialist and I can't emphasise specialist.

Was in a garage recently and argued with a mechanic who insisted it should be 10w40 in my m5 not 10w60 and I was only a wnkr who knew nothing. Needless to say he won't be getting any business from me.

Op where are ya for recommendation ?

listermint

Very very competent recommendation above with plenty of experience in M series.

frostie500

discodavie wrote: »

The smg pumps in the m series give trouble and the red cog is a known issue.

Best if luck on that as the only thing to do is get a new one and get it put in by competent bmw specialist and I can't emphasise specialist.

Was in a garage recently and argued with a mechanic who insisted it should be 10w40 in my m5 not 10w60 and I was only a wnkr who knew nothing. Needless to say he won't be getting any business from me.

Op where are ya for recommendation ?

I was searching for a manual for about six months but couldn't get one without huge mileage so i eventually decided to take the risk on the SMG one but I went in knowing this was a known issue

I was told that Bavaria in limerick were supposed to be the best to go to for the work and they've told me that they've done the job a few times before. I called a few places that hadn't done the job before and all they said "Ah yeah, that sounds like it would an interesting job..." so I wont be going to them!

I only got the full diagnostics report today so at least I've a bit more info to go to the garages with and hopefully they'll be able to sort something. I don't want to use the same BMW approved pump because it will just cause the same failure down the line so I've been asking around on some of the BMW forums for a non-BMW part that people have been replacing it with in the hope that it will be more durable.

listermint

frostie500 wrote: »

I was searching for a manual for about six months but couldn't get one without huge mileage so i eventually decided to take the risk on the SMG one but I went in knowing this was a known issue

I was told that Bavaria in limerick were supposed to be the best to go to for the work and they've told me that they've done the job a few times before. I called a few places that hadn't done the job before and all they said "Ah yeah, that sounds like it would an interesting job..." so I wont be going to them!

I only got the full diagnostics report today so at least I've a bit more info to go to the garages with and hopefully they'll be able to sort something. I don't want to use the same BMW approved pump because it will just cause the same failure down the line so I've been asking around on some of the BMW forums for a non-BMW part that people have been replacing it with in the hope that it will be more durable.

You dont need to travel to Limerick for that stuff. Gary in Chelmsford Motors Ranelagh is also a firm BMW specialist and completed work on my M3 before. He is a former BMW mechanic and knows these vehicles inside and out.

Technoprisoner

byrne motor works in swords is a bmw specialist with experience of these cars

http://byrnemotorworks.com/

pred racer

You could give Mark Allen a call, he is a bmw specialist, I dont know if he has any experience of those gearboxes. He's in Straffan co. Kildare.
I can Pm you his number if you want.

discodavie

I'll say it so ,

Be very wary with getting any spurious parts for the box , do it at your peril.

The smg pump is hydrolic and I've heard horror stories by being round of seeing hugh failures of minor parts resulting in big bills. One slave cylinder went wrecking a flywheel , clutch and spigot shaft ended up with second hand box plus a 1500 bill over a saving of a couple of quid.

Not gonna tell you what to do but I'd do the oe part myself. Just before I bought my baby it was in BMW Naas road for smg sensors and clutch inspection / service. (€2600) and still 3 weeks later clutch went (€3600) these are performance machines running in very small tolerances so I'd go original as much as you possibly can.

Idbatterim

Gary is excellent, but he knows how to charge! Got a price on an oil service recently, E150 from gary, E160 in Bmw (but they also hoovered and washed the car) got it done for E120 in bloomfield (formerly AC)

I dont know if the below etc, could be used for spares to repair your existing one op...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-M3-SMG-PUMP-HYDRAULIC-UNIT-WITH-PRESSURE-ACCUMULATOR-FOR-SPARES-REPAIR-/121214996994?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c38fa1202

or used but working one here...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-e46-M3-SMG-hydraulic-pump-unit-Fully-tested-100-working-/331089984542?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d16803c1e

frostie500

Thanks for the advice guys, I've been calling around and am waiting for word back on quotes from the garages.