![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Lewis Jay wrote:Thanks Rowland,
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Been looking at a 2001 car, owner says it needs SMT actuator pump, was wondering on cost of repair, and how easy it would be swap myself.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Lewis.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
I may have just been unlucky, but having had 2 smt failures on mine in 5 years then I'll stay clear of them in the future and would advise anyone else to do the same.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
As has been mentioned, info on the exact rate
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
& cause of failures is a little sketchy
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
(even with dealers), but there is a smt specific forum over on spyderchat where it seems to have been pinpointed the failure to a valve in the actuator that eventually fails causing the pump to over work and leak hydraulic fluid.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
This eventually leads to a complete refusal to shift gears and lack of drive.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
Cost wise, then the oem warranty piad for my first failure but it took them about 3 months or so iirc to sort it, while the 2nd failure cost me about
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
£2k as my 3rd party warranty didn't cover it, although you should be ok if you go for the Mr T extended warranty, although iirc there is a 7 year/60000m limit which may rule out the 2001 car you're looking at.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
When I was last looking into, there was no 3rd party supply of actuators, although there was some thought that it was a customized bmw unit.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
DIY fit would probably be possible as istr that there is a tech bulletin available online somewhere that shows the process.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
There will probably be plenty of others to choose from, so unless you fancy the challenge and don't require it as an immediate daily driver, then I'd steer well clear of any smt where the owner states it needs a new actuator.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)
.
![](./images/smilies/spacer.gif)