Am I being Ripped off?

[boldfish]

Backstory: GF's car is a BMW compact 5yrs old with 30,000 miles on the clock.

wednesday she drove to the gym and the transmission warning light came on and it switched to "get you home mode" so she drove home and I test drove it, no light. Thursday we set off on errands and the light is on, she drops me at the dentist, and drives off - no light, but we take it to the dealer anyway, they eventually agree to diagnose it and after a two hour wait come back to tell us that they think the system is picking up a lack of engine power - insufficient to work the transmission properly and that the remedy is a new throttle body and an air mass meter and reprogramming.

I'm a tad concerned.

1. because it sounds like a "we're not sure what it is but this might cure it"
2. because it hasn't come on since, and we've done several trips, long and short, cold and warm...
3. the reasoning sounds fuzzy at best - maybe it's a dignostic problem or electrical fault?
4. £800 is a lot of money to spend on a possible cure for an intermittent problem that has gone away
5. we never noticed engine power problems, just lumpy gear changes from the "get you home mode"

so, suggestions, thoughts and comments most welcome.

(we're in Sheffield if it makes a difference)

[rlk500]

So does it run fine when in limp mode ? If so, then I doubt it's the throttle body or air mass meter. They are guessing.....If that is really causing a problem, then I would have though pulling a plug lead would trigger it, that would cause a significant loss in power, and easy to check.

[boldfish]

The engine seems fine in when the transmission warning light is on - haven't pushed it hard of course, but not lumpy or sluggish or anything - it just has seriously poor gear changes, especially coming down the box.

when the light's not on it's perfectly normal.

[F355GTS]

boldfish

I had a 3 Series Touring that had an intermittent transmission light/ limp mode, turned out to be a loose batery terminal causing the system to reset when going over rough roads/ bumps! worth a look

[CommanderJameson]

Is there a decent independent specialist near you? I'd be inclined to get a second opinion.

[gaz1234]

coil pack?? floor it and i bet the light comes back on.

[boldfish]

not tried it yet, but all ignition coils were replaced less than 3,000 miles ago (August) following an engine warning light and idle mode instance.

Will have a play later and report back, but think I shall cancel the planned repairs pretty sharpish.

Thanks for thoughts so far.