The reverse gear in my BMW 323I failed without any prior warning. It seems to be a common problem, as a drum in the transmission assembly is cast from weak metal and comes apart until it fails to compress the plates for the reverse gear.

- Memphis, TN, USA

I have been driving my 1999 BMW 323I for the past year with few problems. Today I got up to go on a road trip, and my car will not go into reverse. It has been serviced regularly, but there was indication of a transmission problem existing. According to the dealership, it will cost about $3,000 to correct the failure. A quick web search revealed that this is a fairly common occurrence.

- Memphis, TN, USA

I just read about the person who had the 1999 that had the engine light and transmission light go on. I have had the same thing. A mechanic friend of mine said that we should change the "lifetime" fluid and it might clear it out. When put on the computer it showed a problem with the 5th gear. We went ahead and paid to have the fluid changed. It was extremely dirty and definitely a good idea to change it....well it didn't rectify the problem. I have been told by BMW that I will need to probably have the entire transmission replaced...BMW is part pushers only, not mechanics.....my car is a 1999 and has only 70K miles on it...I have never had a transmission problem with a car with that little of miles on it. I had someone suggest not using the 5th gear so I am driving in S4 instead of "D". so far it is working just fine, however my engine light still comes on periodically. I agree that BMW should have a long warranty when it comes to transmission especially with all of the complaints I have read and price of this "most wonderful car". at this point I will never buy another BMW. I too plan to go into a Toyota or Honda.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

I own a 1999 BMW 323I. Recently, the check engine light keeps coming on along with the sign for the transmission (the exclamation in the circle). Then the power was significantly reduced which didn't allow me to drive over 40 mph. I took it to the BMW dealer near my home and after they ran the expensive diagnostic test they still weren't sure what the problem was. However, they said they received a bulletin from BMW telling them that resetting the computer for the torque and transmission would fix the problem. However, this was only a temporary fix, as it only lasted for one week. The light still came on and they still don't know what the problem is. This frustrates me that the BMW dealer doesn't know what the problem is. I know of several other BMW owners and they have the same problem. They all have traded their cars in for a Honda or some other Japanese made car, which I am considering too! however, I shouldn't have to resort to this, as I have spent a lot of money for this luxury car and would like to keep it. Nevertheless, I believe this is a manufacturing problem, as many electrical problems among others have been reported by BMW owners and dealers. A co-worker's had a '98 325 and had only about 70K miles on it and she had major engine problems and spent about $3500 dollars and the problem still wasn't fixed. So, she trade hers in for a Honda. I spent about $400 and my problem is still not fixed. I am hesitant to pour any more money into fixing my car especially, after my friend spent much more and hers wasn't fixed, and when the mechanics aren't sure what the fix is. I believe this is an across the board type of problem with many if not all BMW's and the manufacturer doesn't want to admit it. Just go to bmwcomplaints.com to see for yourself. I would like an investigation into this problem and a recall to fix these serious problems.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Transmission locked to "limp home" mode. Can be reset by turn off and on the ignition, but it wont solve the problem and will occur again. If you run at 75/80 mph, and the "limp" mode is on.. the gear will be shift down suddenly and it will dangerously impact the speed of the car behind me. Luckily the car behind me have enough time to reduce the speed before it hits me.

- Pomona, CA, USA

I was driving my 1999 BMW 323I on hwy 101 in santa clara, ca. The car sundenly feels "weak". I immediately pull off the next exit. At the traffic light after the exit ramp the car stalls. I restarted the car and was able to move it, slowly, to a parking lot. There I found that a). I lost the reverse gear B). The transimission program light was on. I attempted to start the car again to see if it moves but the engine keeps stalling - I noticed that the transimission does not appears to be shifting. It is like starting a manual shift car from the 3rd gear.there was no warning sign of all these. It happen all in a sudden. The car had just gone through the BMW 60K mile service (major service) a couple of months ago. I have the car towed to my BMW dealer and there they pronounce the transimission dead - transmission locked-up. I am scared! I could have been killed that day!

- Redwood City, CA, USA

Entire transmission for 1999 BMW 323 ic needs to be replaced (estimated charge is $4600) - after only 60,000 miles. The onboard computer did not alert me of the problem soon enough.

- Northridge, CA, USA

On November 1, 2000, I had a U.S. air force appointment in the U.S. pentagon in Washington, DC. I proceeded to leave in my BMW 323I, which I lease through passport BMW in marlow heights, Maryland. It was a dreary day, thus, I turned on the vehicle's headlights after starting the ignition. I placed the vehicle's gear in reverse and proceeded to back out of my parking space. However, the vehicle suddenly, and with great velocity, sped backwards. I immediately pressed the brakes preventing an accident. I tried this time to go forward and the car sped forwards back into the space I originally backed out of. I was quite shaken-up and completely analyzed the vehicle and my operation of it ensuring.

- Washington, DC, USA