[Brim Stone]

The smartest course of action is to clean the car up best you can, and sell it to WBAC. They rarely test drive anything and because they are owned by BCA (British Car Auctions), they just get auctioned off.

Let someone else have the drama with it. These cars aren't worth owning. Anything based on the MINI platform is trouble and Aisin gearboxes are garbage - the horror stories I hear from my mates at Sytner.

 

[Nicknick]

HI guys.

The cars on the MINI platform such as X1, X2, MINI made between 2018-2019 can have a defective gearbox.

My story.

Bought a used X2 2018 20I XDrive in August 2023 (milliage at the moment of buy was 30000 KM) . The gearbox is 8AT Aisin. Noticed the kicks on 3, 5 and rear gear with delay up to 10 seconds and kick from time to time.

I had come to official BMW and they told me it's out of warranty, as the car was almost 5 years, just proposed me to replace that for about 10K Euro. I told it's nonsense, milliage is low and no gearbox in the world must be broken on this milliage. They told me just "sorry".

This year in July the car started kicking all the time and I had come to officials again. I already had another case with my friend who bought the same car (same model, year etc) and he successfully replaced the gearbox by warranty. So I insisted that they must manage my case as warranty as milliage is too low for a gearbox to be broken (the milliage was around 40K at that moment)

A person managing my case helped me a lot. He made diagnostic and wrote in the BMW headquarter. They approved replacement by warranty both: labour and the part. Only one thing I covered from my pocket were two broken engine mounts, as due to kicks they had torn.

So, who has the same problem and low milliage even if the car is out of warranty, insist on the free replacement.

I have x2 20d xdrive 2019. We took out extended bmw warranty. Car seviced always at bmw, but now they are asking for purchase invoice etc. They need all the information because it is an expensive repair, £11k! Being as we have extended the official warranty through bmw, i assume they should repair or replace?? Any advice would be warmly received!

 

[Nicknick]

I have 69 plate x2 wirh 38k miles. Bought from bmw with 3700 miles on clock, 5 months old demonstrator. Started developing bad gear changes and delayed engaging of reverse followed by a knock and a jolt around 6 months to a year ago - 30k miles ish. At first bmw dealer said there is no fault. The second time i took it in, the technicican felt the jolt and said it shouldnt be doing that. Diagnosis....a failed part in the gearbox. We have official extended warranty from bmw that expires on 8th september. Although they said part has failed, they are asking for purchase invoice, service history etc ( all from official bmw dealer i hasten to add) . Sounds like they are trying to find any reason not to pay up being as the replacement gearbox is £11k. Can anyone offer advice? I assume they dont have a leg to stand on as to not paying up??

 

[Dcash29]

Sounds like BMW need taking to task as there are loads of people suffering because of this gearbox. Does anyone know if there is a group action being organised like the current VW court action in Europe, which has been upheld by the judge to be heard with only 40 cases.
Basically, issues start under 40, 000 miles which is before the first recommended BMW service and totally unacceptable for a major component failure. Aisin 'suggest' a service interval at 2 years or 20.000 km.

 

[Nicknick]

We got our x2 repaired under our extended bmw warranty. They wanted our purchase invoice and service history. In the end they replaced the gearbox at a cost of £12,000. Ps- the Aisin gearbox in bmw is a sealed unit and bmw say it shouldnt need servicing.

 

[Johnnyroper]

It’s not a sealed unit, can and should be serviced regardless what BMW say. They do same with the ZF8. It’s just to keep lease companies happy same as the nonsense CBS schedules
Yet Aisin and ZF state they should be serviced.

 

[LondonDaveUK]

Hi all

I'm new to BMW ownership and have a 2018 X1 Xdrive with the 8 speed auto box that has quickly started developing problems.

Unfortunately BMW want £8k for a replacement box so am hoping to find advice on garages that could repair the gearbox.

Wish id seen this before I bought my X1 last week

 

[Dcash29]

If you haven't already, get an oil change done before you decide to replace the gearbox.

 

[DEllis]

@symze01 thanks for the prompt response. I absolutely agree with your point on the group complaint. I had a mechanic look at changing the ATF but he suggested that I would most likely be a temporary fix. There is a slim chance that getting the ATF flushed would resolve the problem but that probability is around 10-20%. Although the cost for flushing the ATF is significantly less than getting a new gearbox, I've already invested a lot into maintenance for this car and being a BMW owner for over 21 years, I'm just fed up with the constantly decreasing quality that these cars are getting. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have bought this Gran Tourer when it first came out as it was a completely new platform and it was bound to have problems down the road. But hey, it is what it is and right now there's nothing I can do other than going forward with the group complaint.

I'm interested in your group complaint idea, if in the UK. I have a 2008 X1 xdrive that had gearbox problems diagnosed after only 11k miles (18k km). It was the usual rough gear changes, valve leaking issues that produced no surface level error codes but, when thorougly investigated by BMW, found errors on the gearbox.
I bought the car second hand from Arnold Clark and reported the issue less than 6 months after purchase. This places it inside the timescale for the Consumer Rights Act 2015 whereby the law assumes the fault was pre-existing and the retailer has the onus to prove it wasn't (impossible?). Arnold Clark requested an inspection at a BMW agent. I took it to a non-Arnold Clark BMW agent for inspection due to a lack of trust. This proved useful as Arnold Clark would put nothing in writing; as I had paid for the inspection, I have the report stating the gearbox is defective and recommending replacement. Left to Arnold Clark, I would have no evidence.
Arnold Clark refused to repair, replace or refund - this was the first time they had written anything down.
I took this case to the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and forwarded all communications (summaries of phonecalls, copies of all emails etc). Arnold Clark ignored two letters from the SMTA over some weeks. I escalated again and today got a result. Arnold Clark have now voluteered to replace the gearbox at no expense to me. I will hold my breath until it happens and check rigorously that it had been done, and done properly.
I have written this in case anyone else finds it useful. The contents of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 should be essential reading for anyone buying a car - it does provise some useful protection.
I have also written this to add to the catalogue of 2018 X1s with defective gearboxes and would be happy to help if a group complaint goes in to BMW.

 

[DEllis]

Is there any evidence out there as to what model years this (potential) gearbox fault can affect? I've recently bought a 2016 X1 XDrive 20D with this Aisin box and my dealer supplied warranty runs out tomorrow. I've been looking at ALA Insurance Aftermarket Warranty for it (as it covers up to £14k) but quickly skimming through this post it seems most are 2018 cars?

Anyone know for sure if its a newer car thing, and if earlier X1s are "less" at risk?

TIA

David

The evidence from all the various threads is that 2018 vehicles seem to be most affected. Could have been a bad batch of gearboxes? Funnily enough, I have a 2018 F48 with a bad gearbox myself. This doesn't fully answer your question but, that's what it looks like.
I have seen a few others with X2s from other years but have only heard of this being repeated for 2018 X1s. There is another thread on here which contains quite a few complaints about this - all 2018.

 

[DEllis]

I have x2 20d xdrive 2019. We took out extended bmw warranty. Car seviced always at bmw, but now they are asking for purchase invoice etc. They need all the information because it is an expensive repair, £11k! Being as we have extended the official warranty through bmw, i assume they should repair or replace?? Any advice would be warmly received!

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if the problem is reported within 6 months of purchase, the defect is deemed in law to be pre-existing. The retailer must prove it wasn't - very difficult to do. That entitles you to ask for repair, replacement or refund (with reduction for usage).
That is your legal right, whatever the warranty says. However, with a warranty, you would expect it to be sorted out under the terms of the warranty.
You need to familiarise with the exact terms of the warranty so you can ask for what you are entitled to. Also worth reading relevant sections of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which sets out your legal rights, which may be different from the warranty.
You should only deal with the garage that sold you the car and the warranty - it is their problem. If they won't cooperate, find out what motoring associations they belong to and complain to them.
I have just followed this path and got the retailer to commit to a gearbox replacement at no cost to me after complaining to the Scottish Motor Trade Association. My car has no warranty at all.
Happy to advise further if that helps.

 

[DEllis]

2018 X1 20d same issue. Went to BMW today and they say it needs a full new gearbox. Car only has 31,000 on the clock and FSH.

Car currently has an Auto Care warrant in place however Arnold Clark are only willing to cover the first £6000 of what is looking like £11,000 worth of work.

Told the guy Im going to email BMW as I’ve concerned that a gearbox has failed on a 6 year old car with 31k on the clock and I’m now expected pay for the repair given that it’s clearly a known fault.

anyone had any joy with good will from BMW or had dealings with Arnold Clark auto care for the same issue?

It's not a competition, but, my gearbox failed inside 11k miles on a 6 year old X1. I have just had good news i.e. free gearbox replacement being arranged. Your circumstances may be different, but in case it's helpful, key points:

• problem reported within 6 months of purchase (important to invoke the Consumer Rights Act 2015)
• defect diagnosed by BMW garage at my expense - I own the report
• Arnold Clark refused to help
• complained to the Scottish Motor Trade Association (arbitration service)
• Arnold Clark ignored 2 letters from SMTA
• SMTA escalated and secured commitment to repair at no cost to me.

Work yet to be done but I'm hopeful of a positive outcome.
The 6 months thing is important. After 6 months, the problem is deemed in law to have NOT been pre-existing. I would then need to prove that it was. I don't think that is possible.
BMW don't seem to understand what 'good will' is these days. They only consider reputational risk if there are thousands of cases. No harm in asking but there is no entitlement. I would leave the retailer to deal with 'good will', if they can get it.
My advice is, if you are still within 6 months of purchase, report to the retailer immediately and request repair, replacement or refund (your legal rights). If outside the 6 months, you will be relying on the terms of your warranty.

 

[Nicknick]

Does anyone know if the m235i gran coupe transmission had/had this issue (thinking of buying one)? My wifes 2019 x2 2.0d had this issue at 30k miles. Bmw authorised my local dealer to replace transmission at a cost of £12k. The vehicle was 4 years old but we took extended bmw warranty at £600 per year. Lucky we did!

 

[Ste42]

Does anyone know if the m235i gran coupe transmission had/had this issue (thinking of buying one)? My wifes 2019 x2 2.0d had this issue at 30k miles. Bmw authorised my local dealer to replace transmission at a cost of £12k. The vehicle was 4 years old but we took extended bmw warranty at £600 per year. Lucky we did!

No, this will be a ZF box. Much more reliable.

 

[Nicknick]

Hi. I know the zf is better as i have it in my 330d, 81k miles and no service and perfect so far. I am sure that the 235 gc has the aisin though, as it is front wheel drive bias with xdrive.

 

[Ste42]

Maybe it depends on the year. Most searches say 8HP which is a ZF.

 

[Dcash29]

I'm interested in your group complaint idea, if in the UK. I have a 2008 X1 xdrive that had gearbox problems diagnosed after only 11k miles (18k km). It was the usual rough gear changes, valve leaking issues that produced no surface level error codes but, when thorougly investigated by BMW, found errors on the gearbox.
I bought the car second hand from Arnold Clark and reported the issue less than 6 months after purchase. This places it inside the timescale for the Consumer Rights Act 2015 whereby the law assumes the fault was pre-existing and the retailer has the onus to prove it wasn't (impossible?). Arnold Clark requested an inspection at a BMW agent. I took it to a non-Arnold Clark BMW agent for inspection due to a lack of trust. This proved useful as Arnold Clark would put nothing in writing; as I had paid for the inspection, I have the report stating the gearbox is defective and recommending replacement. Left to Arnold Clark, I would have no evidence.
Arnold Clark refused to repair, replace or refund - this was the first time they had written anything down.
I took this case to the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and forwarded all communications (summaries of phonecalls, copies of all emails etc). Arnold Clark ignored two letters from the SMTA over some weeks. I escalated again and today got a result. Arnold Clark have now voluteered to replace the gearbox at no expense to me. I will hold my breath until it happens and check rigorously that it had been done, and done properly.
I have written this in case anyone else finds it useful. The contents of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 should be essential reading for anyone buying a car - it does provise some useful protection.
I have also written this to add to the catalogue of 2018 X1s with defective gearboxes and would be happy to help if a group complaint goes in to BMW.

As raised in another thread, my 2019 X1 f48 (Aisin) started snatching between 2 & 3. After investigation and I believe a discussion between the dealership & BMW tech, it was decided that the next course of action was an oil change, the one that isn't scheduled but apparently can be needed because of several unexplained reasons. However, for it to progress it was explained I would have to pay. Therefore in my opinion BMW are well aware, like several transmission companies I spoke to that they're over extending the service period of this gearbox or there is an underlying issue. Either way count me in to the group claim as I'd like my money for a service BMW don't schedule or should the fault reason, a new unit.

 

[Johnnyroper]

Hi. I know the zf is better as i have it in my 330d, 81k miles and no service and perfect so far. I am sure that the 235 gc has the aisin though, as it is front wheel drive bias with xdrive.

unfortunately the F44 autos are the junk aisin box, the 235i of that era is 4 cylinder if I recall correctly the older 6 cylinder 35i had the ZF8.
I would actively avoid any of the cars with aisin 8 speed

 

[Brim Stone]

No, this will be a ZF box. Much more reliable.

It's Aisin.

It's a contentious statement but I stick to it:

Proper BMW's are rear wheel drive, or rear drive based 4WD.

The front drive stuff (Mini, 1 Series, 2 Series, Active Zafira, etc etc) is basically a Vauxhall with a BMW badge. Vauxhall to look at, drive, quality and reliability. I've seen this shit in bits at Sytners and it's just the same as something GM, Peugeot or Renault would have designed and thrown together.

 

[Ste42]

It's Aisin.

It's a contentious statement but I stick to it:

Proper BMW's are rear wheel drive, or rear drive based 4WD.

The front drive stuff (Mini, 1 Series, 2 Series, Active Zafira, etc etc) is basically a Vauxhall with a BMW badge. Vauxhall to look at, drive, quality and reliability. I've seen this shit in bits at Sytners and it's just the same as something GM, Peugeot or Renault would have designed and thrown together.

Hopefully @Nicknick has now decided not to waste his money on one. Just in the nick of time (sorry).