Compare BMW auto gearbox specialist repair quotes from specialist garages

Looming hundreds of feet up in Munich's skyline is BMW's headquarters, a vast and impressive building designed to look like four engine cylinders - the configuration that drove much of the brand's early success.

BMW has come a long way since 1927, when it produced its first car, the Dixi, shortly to be renamed the BMW 3/15. In 2022, it was awarded 'Best Manufacturer' at the AutoCar Britain's Best Car Awards, and the same year, it triumphed at the WhatCar? Awards, winning more accolades than any other brand. The M5 special edition, celebrating 20 years of BMW motorsport, is one of the rarest M automobiles in the world.

See how BMW's maintenance prices compare to Audi and Mercedes in this guide.

Automatic gearboxes use hydraulic power to change gears. A torque converter connects the engine to the transmission and uses pressurised fluid to transfer power to the gears. Because this system is more complex, there is more scope for it to develop problems, requiring an automatic gearbox repair.

Signs of a bad automatic gearbox include:

• Gears slipping
• The car won't respond or engage while in gear
• A burning smell
• Leaking fluid
• Grinding or shaking

The best way to stave off problems is to have an automatic gearbox service done regularly. This process involves draining the transmission fluid and replacing the filter, which can extend the life of your automatic gearbox.