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Hi there, I have a 1997 316i auto and I'm guessing I've got trans issues, heres the problem.... Driving around town is fine on the motorway though when I try and floor it to get more speed the revs come up and the car slows down like its slipping It has no dip stick for the trans fluid? I asked for a quote to change trans fluid and was told $400-$500 dollars yes I'm a girl but not that stupid surely it wouldn't cost that much and would that even solve the problem? any advise on where I should start "the least expensive opitions would be great"

The BMW transmission specialist we spoke to told us it is not uncommon for a fluid change to cost around the $400 mark however, in your case they would strongly advise against this approach.

One of the first checks is to ensure the transmission has the correct amount of oil in it. There is a level plug on the side of the transmission that would confirm this fairly quickly. A quick fluid top up, if required, and a thorough road test would then confirm whether or not the transmission has a major internal issue or not.

Your first priority is to find a BMW service outlet (in the main centres around NZ there are often more than one repairer who specialise in older BMW’s) or an automatic specialists who will take a step by step process in trying to determine the extent of the problem and advise you accordingly.

I have to say the cheapest option is definitely not always the best way to go long term.

Hi there I will go to the workshop that just did my full service and double check they checked the trans fluid although I did ask them a couple of times if they had checked it and was told they had...also I was told that (and sorry I wasn't too clear on the first post) that because it only really happens on an incline it could also be a blocked fuel filter?? does this sound right

Yes absolutely, it may not be the transmission at all.

As I say, make sure somebody that knows this product fairly well checks the car out thoroughly before any major repairs are started.

Okay so I spent a few hours trying to narrow down the problem. I went to the workshop they checked the trans fluid again all was fine, they took it for a test drive and told me it was the trans, I was then sent to a trans place with one of the guys that works in the first workshop and was told after the trans guy test drove it that he didn't think it was a trans problem, seemed like an engine problem. I went back to the workshop and had them pull an engine code which said there was a fault in the kick down switch. They then cleared the fault code and took for a test drive with no improvement, after putting the car back up on hoist they then said to go to midas as they thought it was the catalytic converter. I then went to midas and they said they couldn't guarantee that the catalytic converter was the cause of such a significant loss of power not sure where to go next and not get charged $80.00 an hour to look at it :( Have you heard of a bad catalytic converter causing the symptoms I'm having???

I think you are getting so many mixed messages to be honest that its hard to work out what the problem may be.

I'm very pleased to hear Midas say they could not guarantee removing the catalytic convertor would eliminate the loss of power. Potentially this could have cost you a lot of money for a zero result.

Go back to what I said in my first email; try and find a repairer who lives and breathes these vehicles. It may cost you more in terms of a higher hourly rate but in the big wash-up it may be the cheapest option.

You said in your first email the engine rev's increased but the car lost power which doesn't sound like a blocked fuel filter or catalytic convertor problem to me.