Home in Seattle now, the new fuel filter solved the prior issue. BUT, when pulling into Vegas after a 600 mile day in 105 degree heat, the trans slipped. In denial, I continued, another slip then the dreaded down shift 'frump'. We're toast! Bottom line, a) We're lucky to have limped home, b) We need a new or rebuilt trans. Ugh!!

So a question: Has BMW NA every stepped in to help any of us with these defective slush boxes (circa 2001)?

There's a cost associated with owning and driving these wonderful beasts... I was kind of pissed at it and went looking at other similar vehicles. But after driving some of them (including an X3), we decided to pay to fix our X. Since then we are tolerating one another a little better, so I washed it today...