Brand new here so don't know if this is rigth forum thread for this.

Hey guys and gals.

I currently own an automatic BMW 328xi 2011 (e90). I love my car but I've always had a softspot for japanese cars. My Ma and Pa didn't tho, so the more I think about it the more I'm sarting to think I bought the biemer because I got influence my parents and my brother that had a 335. Now don't get me wrong, I really like my biemer, it's a dope car and looks good too but not as good as a jap rally car.


Now little talk aside I'd like to know, how does the tc-sst transmission hold out in the long term? If I get the evo I want to keep for a long time and by a long time I mean 10+ years. I've done a fair amount of research but can't find much. All the rekt transmission or weird stuff happening on the tc-sst tranny seemed to have happen to ppl modding their car and I'm not a mod guy so I'd keep my car bone stock.

I want you guys to give me some feed back, stories you've heard. MR users I want to know how ur tranny going! I want yall to be honest. Thanks in advance guys

-Ant

 

I found one sobering fact about the SST that I didn't know - you can't buy spare parts for it.

So if you have a qualified individual (and they are few and far between) and in 8 years your collars in your transmission wear out - no parts to be had.

That may change in the future, but I was a sad panda when I heard that.

You can buy parts, individual parts, for the GTR transmission all day long. Just not this specific one.

 

I have an EVO X MR that I plan to lighlty mod with better exhaust, intake, intercooler pipes and a tune. I haven't had any issues with my car yet but to the wife and I it is only about 5 months old to us.

 

Just to let you know the 2014+ exhaust is pretty free flowing so you won't gain any power with that change. Also once you add a test pipe the car has a much better note. If I were you I'd just get a Cosworth drop in filter and call it a day. The second you modify these cars bye bye MPG's like in a big way.

 

My car at various bolt-on stages still averaged 22 MPG over a tank with mixed driving, and my EFR 7163 is about 21 MPG for a tank.


These numbers are right about in line with what I got stock. Just an example of mods not making MPG drastically drop.

 

I have all of those bolt on's intake exhaust down pipe mid pipe 3 port uicp licp and a dyno tune.I'm making 288 at the wheels which translates to 355 at the crank according to the calculator found on google search. The car is quick there is alot more noise though in hind sight I probably didn't need the piping as the car was running really well without the pipes but from what I have read the piping increases throttle response. There are literally about 3 places in the US that can work on the SST transmission.One in Colorado one in Texas and one in Maryland.I love the transmission on my car but am always slightly fearful that it can break and have it fixed at great expense.Also with all the bolt ons I am making about 14 to 15 MPG on the highway when I'm going 80-90 mph it's not too bad.

 

When I bought mine, the sst was the thing that scared me the most. So I fought the dealer to throw in an extended warranty. 6 years 100,000 miles. If the tranny blows, it's covered. I've talked with one of the 3 shops that do rebuild work, and they've worked with the warranty companies before for upgrades during rebuilds.

Like anything, if you launch the sst a bunch, it's not gonna last. Be good about maintenance with the fluids it should be good. Mine had 37,000 when I bought it. Had some issues in the beginning, but me fluid fixed all of the issues.

 

Having owned 3 BMWs and 3 Evos... including a X MR for a bit over a year, be aware that Evos (even the X MR) aren't as cushy as a 335. Nor are they as DD friendly. As for the tranny like everyone else said, most people do not have issues with them even with bolt-ons and staying under 325 AWHP. I would say you either buy an Evo out of warranty and just hit up Jackstransmissions if you have issues instead of buying the extended warranty which can run you just as much. Non-manufacturer extended warranties are not cheap so you have to shop around for one. I had one through USAA and it was fairly cheap compared to a 3rd party one. And don't be a tool launching the car all the time. That is just plain abuse and you are asking for stuff to break.

http://www.jackstransmissions.com/pr...t-full-rebuild

 

The TC-SST in the MR is made by Getrag which is the same company that makes the trannies for BMW. I bought my MR new in 2011 and the Transmission is functioning just as well as the day i bought it (70k miles and counting). The Car is unmodified and i have performed the scheduled maintenance myself per the MFG guidelines.

 

True, the extended warranty wasn't cheap. But when the abs pump failed, it pretty much paid for itself, and will still cover the sst. Best yet, they're not specializing in a particular make of vehicle, so they more than likely won't catch any mods.