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[Big_Rich]

I know that as long as the oil, belts and tensioners are changed religiously, the 3.2 engine will run forever and a day... but what sort of mileage will the "average" autobox start to need attention through natural wear and tear?

Assuming that it hasn't been thraped or poorly maintained that is.

Am I right in thinking that the 3.2 autobox is a rebranded BMW unit? I'm sure I read that somewhere but I might be off my horse and on a donkey!

[Auto Addict]

The autobox is Gen. Motors, sometime used in BMW's.

It's recommended that the oil is changed every 60k.

[Big_Rich]

So if the gearbox oil (Dextron III?) has been changed regularly, there's no reason for it to fail once you get into the heady heights of 6 figure mileage?

I'm just wondering what the average lifespan of an autobox is if it's properly maintained.

[Auto Addict]

No guarantee, depends on how it's been driven.

[Elite Pete]

I think the main problem is the gearbox has no dipstick or drain plug so get left or just topped up at service times. I had a 3.2 Elite that had been a chauffer car, had 170000 miles up it and the gearbox had gone but it was quite cheap to replace and an easy job to do. I would say that changing the gearbox oil and filter is one of the first things I would do to a car I had just bought, along with cambelt, water pump and cleaning the breathers

[Seth]

I think the main problem is the gearbox has no dipstick or drain plug so get left or just topped up at service times. I had a 3.2 Elite that had been a chauffer car, had 170000 miles up it and the gearbox had gone but it was quite cheap to replace and an easy job to do. I would say that changing the gearbox oil and filter is one of the first things I would do to a car I had just bought, along with cambelt, water pump and cleaning the breathers

Spot on Pete!
My local auto-transmission people did a full ATF/filter change, including flushing the torque convertor for around the same price as Vx stealers quoted for the filter alone. Brilliant guys ... !