How many gears?

[sochermit]

Does anyone know how many gears are in the 2003 325i model?

[scott@bmwhn]

5 going forward, 1 going backwards

[Dackelone]

Are we talking automatic or manual ?

[sochermit]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Are we talking automatic or manual ?

Automatic. I was just wondering when I want to try the manual mode.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by sochermit

Automatic. I was just wondering when I want to try the manual mode.

I think that car gets the GM tranny... so it starts off normally in 2nd gear. When you use manual control it starts off in first.

But both auto and manual for that vintage BMW's are 5speed units.


IF you plan on keeping that car I would (highly) recommend changing the AT fluid and the pan filter out. It is not hard, just a bit messy. I just did it on my e39 535iA and the trans shifts like a new car now. Also be sure to use the correct ATF (trans fluid). Seems like every model uses a different fluid. And a lot of times a low fluid level will cause the trans to shift really weird. I'm so glad I changed mine.

[sochermit]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I think that car gets the GM tranny... so it starts off normally in 2nd gear. When you use manual control it starts off in first.

But both auto and manual for that vintage BMW's are 5speed units.


IF you plan on keeping that car I would (highly) recommend changing the AT fluid and the pan filter out. It is not hard, just a bit messy. I just did it on my e39 535iA and the trans shifts like a new car now. Also be sure to use the correct ATF (trans fluid). Seems like every model uses a different fluid. And a lot of times a low fluid level will cause the trans to shift really weird. I'm so glad I changed mine.

Thanks for your response I will take you suggestions seriously. Believe it or not the car only has 30K miles on it. It still smells new.