$500 1997 BMW 318is Update

Just when I thought the worst was over, things got worse.

I picked the car up from the auto trans specialist tonight. A$510 for fitting the new trans, servicing it, replacing a broken water distribution pipe, and replacing the rear main seal.

He wouldn't test drive it outside of his carpark as it was unregistered, but asked me if it had a warranty and told me to drive it around for a week before I came back if there were any problems. Suspicious.

The drive home seemed normal at first but when it selected what I presume was top gear it felt like neutral, it just rev'd with no forward movement. The other gears seemed okay. When I turned into some right angle corners it seemed to make a grinding noise. It is also very slow to engage reverse and makes an odd noise when starting.

I don't hold much hope that it is going to get any better with a week of driving. Something to do with the transmission sitting around for a long time at the wreckers and needing some time to settle in with the new oil. Hmmm. I'm not sure I want to drive it again let alone for a week. Somehow I need to get it registered, and drive it around for a week.

I appear to have a warranty on the last transmission I bought but it will probably cost me A$350 to get it in and out, plus they fitted my filter kit and filled it with new oil.

To say I'm a little depressed about the whole thing is an understatment.