Need advice/help on transmission repair

[Dirichlet]

Well, I'm up s**t's creek. I have a 2000 (E46) 323i with 89k on it. It has been in one significant collision. It has a number of mods, with the greatest being the Bilstein Pss9 suspension. My transmission is dead. It needs to be replaced, and has been quoted as a $4700 job. My question to you, all knowing BMW forum friends, is the car worth getting fixed, or should I start looking in the cca classifieds... or, if you know of anybody who can do it for less, has a transmission to sell for cheap(er), etc. - keep in mind that my financial situation is somewhat strenuous right now - any help would be greatly appreciated.
~Colin

[SMOODY]

I assume that the price you were quoted was for a new transmission. Is it possible to get a re-build or a used one? At least get you back on the road for now.

The only shop that I can honestly recommend is Park Center Automotive 8453 Park Center Ct. Manassas, VA 20111 (703) 335-1058.

I have not needed to take my BMWs there yet, but I have taken my other cars there. The shop is just 2 honest guys who do good work at reasonable prices.

I am sure others here will have suggestions.

[NoSoup4U]

I would contact:

Evosport (ask for Brad)
VAC (speak to Armand)
Bimmerworld (James Clay or whomever)
RRT (David Troha)
Brant (email vjlax18 -- he's here on this board)

Definitely contact vjlax18 -- I am sure you can find a used transmission for MUCH cheaper INSTALLED ... I would say at LEAST 1/2 of what you were quoted if not 60-70% less ...

I bet one of these places have a used transmission lying around, or a lead on one that is not needed.

I BET brant has access to one somewhere (he's located in Baltimore).

Good luck

[Dirichlet]

Thank you...

[SharkD]

http://www.dvsmith.net/bmw/dc_service_shops.html

Try Dan Martin, Grant Randall at Alexandria Bavarian, or Tom Baruch

[bwiz]

I have bought two cares from the guys at auto advantage and have had them serviced there as well. Smaller shop but all they service are bimmers and are honest.

[SMOODY]

I saw Colin at the last Autocross. He got his transmission replaced and is back on the road. I forgot to ask him where he had it done.

He was also in the process of trying to get BMW NA to kick in some $$ for the somewhat early demise of his transmission. I hope he is successful.

[OwnedbyDuncan]

I saw Colin at the last Autocross. He got his transmission replaced and is back on the road. I forgot to ask him where he had it done.

He was also in the process of trying to get BMW NA to kick in some $$ for the somewhat early demise of his transmission. I hope he is successful.

Try BMWCCA's ombudsmen program. It worked for me when my AC condenser went. I had complained a few times and it was documented. NA picked up about 80% of the tab after Kraftwagon did the work.

[Dirichlet]

Thanks Steve,
And thank you to everyone for your advice...
Yeah, still haven't heard back from BMW NA... I'll try once more, but I'm not holding my breath

[Ernest]

I don't know if this is helpful or not, but another item that might help you is if a few of us got together to help you install it. We just need someone with a garage, with about 3-4 of us, we can probably replace it over a weekend pretty easily.

I'll offer my help if someone can find a garage.

-Ernest-