C30 Gearbox : - Are the T5 auto gearboxes unreliable?

KarlC30 · Jul 7th, 2021, 18:28

Hi all, I've had a couple of C30s, and I'm contemplating getting a T5 auto, going to see one tomorrow in fact, but I'm seeing a lot of articles about failing geartronic boxes on c30s s40s and V50s, issues with jerky changes and gearboxes failing at comparatively low mileages.

Are they that bad? Is it just a question of time and they all die, or is it just a well reported minority?

Anything to watch out for, any worse years, was it resolved, if so when?

Any help / info appreciated.

Ta

Karl

Bonefishblues · Jul 7th, 2021, 18:42

Which of the two 'boxes, how many miles has it done, and is there evidence of ATF changes?

KarlC30 · Jul 7th, 2021, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Which of the two 'boxes, how many miles has it done, and is there evidence of ATF changes?

Ummm, don't know. 56,000miles on a Feb '07 registered C30 T5 SE Lux, apparently full service history but I gather fluid change isn't on the service schedule, so not likely to know.

Reading a downloaded manual I think it'll be an AW55-51

Bonefishblues · Jul 7th, 2021, 20:08

The less well-regarded 'box, but still decent. 56k miles is good news, so:

Check the box by getting it properly hot on a long (20 minutes+) test drive to make sure all is smooth. Banging or flaring of gears isn't good news.
Do an atf change (3309 fluid) soon after you buy. There's different schools of thought, but I'd be taking it to a trusted Indy like Horton Cars and getting a complete change for about £300 or so. You're then good for another 50k miles.

Useful primer on the box on Horton's website.

JohnM 855 T5R · Jul 8th, 2021, 09:26

My experience is that they are very reliable.

I have a 100K mile '08 T5 polestar C30 and a '11 100K mile T5 polestar C70 both with the 5 speed geartronic and they are going strong and working perfectly (and never had a fluid change).

Regards
John

Whyman · Jul 8th, 2021, 10:04

I can remember we had 3 V70 T5 geartronics in Police use and we did not change the gearbox oil and all failed about 70k.

If in doubt change the oil.

moorgate · Jul 8th, 2021, 12:50

v50 T5 6 speed auto here: 151k and the box is sweet as they come. Regularily hooned up and down some alpine passes. It did get better with a fluid change about 10k ago!

Things like shift quality and kickdown got a lot better once I made sure the inlet was airtight and the MAF & throttle body was clean.

Jul 7th, 2021, 18:28	#1
KarlC30 New Member Last Online: Jul 7th, 2021 19:13 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Swindon	Are the T5 auto gearboxes unreliable? Hi all, I've had a couple of C30s, and I'm contemplating getting a T5 auto, going to see one tomorrow in fact, but I'm seeing a lot of articles about failing geartronic boxes on c30s s40s and V50s, issues with jerky changes and gearboxes failing at comparatively low mileages. Are they that bad? Is it just a question of time and they all die, or is it just a well reported minority? Anything to watch out for, any worse years, was it resolved, if so when? Any help / info appreciated. Ta Karl

Jul 8th, 2021, 09:26	#5
JohnM 855 T5R VOC Member Last Online: Jan 20th, 2023 10:58 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Tittensor	My experience is that they are very reliable. I have a 100K mile '08 T5 polestar C30 and a '11 100K mile T5 polestar C70 both with the 5 speed geartronic and they are going strong and working perfectly (and never had a fluid change). Regards John __________________ Past : 96 855 T5 CD ruby red, 98 C70GT T5 coupe Saffron, 04 C70GT T5 convertible Navy Present : 95 855 T5R Gul Yellow 08 C30SE Lux T5 Polestar 11 C70 Solstice T5 Polestar 19 XC40 T5 R-Design Polestar

Jul 8th, 2021, 10:04	#6
Whyman Premier Member Last Online: Today 12:38 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Newark	I can remember we had 3 V70 T5 geartronics in Police use and we did not change the gearbox oil and all failed about 70k. If in doubt change the oil. __________________ XC60 2013 D5 215 SE Lux Nav geartronic

Jul 7th, 2021, 18:42	#2
Bonefishblues Premier Member Last Online: Today 16:13 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Near Bicester, Oxon	Which of the two 'boxes, how many miles has it done, and is there evidence of ATF changes?

Jul 7th, 2021, 20:08	#4
Bonefishblues Premier Member Last Online: Today 16:13 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Near Bicester, Oxon	The less well-regarded 'box, but still decent. 56k miles is good news, so: Check the box by getting it properly hot on a long (20 minutes+) test drive to make sure all is smooth. Banging or flaring of gears isn't good news. Do an atf change (3309 fluid) soon after you buy. There's different schools of thought, but I'd be taking it to a trusted Indy like Horton Cars and getting a complete change for about £300 or so. You're then good for another 50k miles. Useful primer on the box on Horton's website.

Jul 8th, 2021, 12:50	#7
moorgate Senior Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 22:56 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: london, ec2	v50 T5 6 speed auto here: 151k and the box is sweet as they come. Regularily hooned up and down some alpine passes. It did get better with a fluid change about 10k ago! Things like shift quality and kickdown got a lot better once I made sure the inlet was airtight and the MAF & throttle body was clean.

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