Watch out for these e46s

[bostogrun]

A large number of e46, e39 and Z models have a very high probability of catastrophic transmission failures. The rear drum that holds the planetary gear set for reverse actually breaks leaving the car without a reverse gear. There is a international website dedicated to this. Go look for yourself "noreverse.org"

Here are the afflicted cars with the precarious tranny
5HP19

2000-2003 e46
2001-2001 e39
2002-2003 z4 2.5
2002-z4 3.0

[bostogrun]

TRANNY AUTOPOSY
Special Thanks to Bill Fiore corkeybf@earthlink.net
noReverse.org
BMW Reverse Transmission Problems
I have done a few searches and have found that the tranny is a weak link in these cars.
My reverse went out in my 2000 323i at 106K without warning and no bad noises.
The dealer and the search results said the tranny can't be repaired and you need a new
or used unit to the tune of $3k - 6k depending on where you shop. Not true.
The reverse is controlled by a clutch drum that has some very weak machining and very
thin wall where a snap ring holding the clutch plates in is secured. This clutch drum is
available (new) as an OEM part from a parts house. The drum looks like its cast out of
some cheap pot metal and then machined.
Here are some pics of the problem.
About 270 degrees of the drum edge is broken off. This removes the pressure point of
TRANNY AUTOPOSY
Special Thanks to Bill Fiore corkeybf@earthlink.net
noReverse.org
BMW Reverse Transmission Problems