I've tried every thing to fix the shudder problem, hoping it had nothing to do with the auto transmission (big dollars)
Before I spent all the money on replacing coils etc, I took the x5 to a transmission shop, they drove it, told me it wasn't an auto problem, it's a missfire, why did I listen to them

On the weekend I was down the local pub, drinking a beer or ten, got talking to a guy who owns a company that rebuilds torque converters, started to tell him my problem with the x5, then he said to me stop right there.
I'll tell you what your problem is, it shudders between 3-4th gear as well as 4-5th, tacho swings up and down when your sitting on a constant speed
He told me it's a common problem with the ZF-5hp24 trans, rebuilt a million of them, he's heard my story a heap of times, wasting money on everything else, before looking at the auto.
I can get the new torque converter for $550 and fit it my self or pay a shop $650 to fit it, I think I'll let them have the fun and do it, going to take 2 days.
Jordo I tried sports mode, same problem
Hope this helps someone else.
Pete...