MT Auto Parts Blog | Expert Tips for BMW enthusiasts on BMW Parts, Accessories, Engines and More

  Photo by Александр Бендус on Unsplash The BMW X3 is one of the more dependable BMWs in the current used market, but that doesn't mean it's problem-free. The three generations covered here (F25, G01, and the older E83, where relevant) each have their own set of faults. Most are well-documented, most have predictable mileage triggers, and most are fixable without paying dealer prices if you know where to source the right BMW X3 parts . F25 BMW X3 (2011–2017) — Common Problems N47 diesel timing chain — the main risk The 2.0d variants of the F25 up to around 2015 use the N47 diesel engine, which has a rear-mounted timing chain with a documented failure concern at higher mileages. It is the same issue as in the F30 3 Series. A cold-start rattle from the rear of the engine is the warning sign. If the chain hasn't been replaced and the car has more than 80,000 miles, treat this as a known cost. From approximately 2015, the N47 was replaced by the B47, a revised engine with a fro...

  Photo by Mat Kilkeary on Unsplash Ask most BMW owners what they worry about, and the engine comes up first. But the gearbox is just as important, and in some cases, just as expensive when it goes wrong. A failed BMW automatic gearbox can cost more to replace than many second-hand BMWs are worth. Knowing which type is in your car, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and what maintenance it actually needs is the kind of information that saves serious money. BMW has used several different gearbox types across its range over the years. Some are made by ZF, some by Getrag, and one, the SMG, is a category of its own. This guide covers all of them, ranked from most to least reliable based on real-world owner experience and the view from independent BMW specialists in the UK. The Rankings at a Glance Gearbox Type Reliability Found in Getrag Manual 6-speed manual 🟢 Excellent Most non-M BMWs, available across the range ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic 🟢 Very good Most modern BMWs from 2010 o...

  Image: BMW 3 series 8HP76Z automatic gearbox for sale for £1,852.49 at MT Auto Parts If you drive a modern BMW automatic and it feels smooth in traffic, sharp when you accelerate, and somehow always in the “right” gear, there’s a very good chance you have the ZF 8HP gearbox to thank. Most owners don’t think about their gearbox unless something goes wrong. But in reality, the transmission shapes almost everything about how a car feels. The throttle response. The way it goes forward. The way it drops two gears instantly when you overtake. And over the last decade, the ZF 8HP has become the backbone of the modern BMW automatic gearbox range. Let’s break it down simply, and without overcomplicating it, in this blog.  What Is the ZF 8HP Gearbox? The ZF 8HP is an 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission developed by ZF Friedrichshafen in Germany. BMW introduced it in 2008 in the F01 BMW, and from there, it gradually replaced older 6-speed automatics across almost the enti...