Hi, I'm looking into buying a '90 535i. The owner says it needs a new transmission.

He says: "the problem is that one of the bearings in the clutch let go so it has trouble shifting into gears after it gets moving. it shifts into all gears sitting still but once it gets going it doesnt want to go into the next gear and is stuck."

I'm no mechanic but it sounds like a clutch issue to me, can someone more knowledgeable fill me in on this problem and/or any possible related ones. Thanks.

Sounds like clutch, may be only hydraulic but budget for clutch replacement in price.

I would wonder why the guy would specifically mention a bearing if it's a clutch problem. These transmissions are tough, but they do fail. I would guess that it could need transmission work as well as a clutch. Unless the car is mint otherwise, I'd keep looking

thanks for the replies. I haven't talked to the guy so I don't know if he's talked to a mechanic or if he just thinks its a transmission problem since it won't shift. Anyways, anyone else have any experience or advice? thanks.

How much is the car? If the price is low enough and the car's clean it's probably worth picking up. They aren't making any new e34 5spd cars you know.

Todd at TCD has a 5 speed tranny for $300 if it needs one.