Okay I don't know that the two are related. My problem with slipping is only when it is very cold like below 25dgrees and only for the first run through of first and maybe second. Once it runs for a while it runs like it was new.
So the responder that suggested it could be an aftermarket filter when cold is duely taken to heart. I think it is being starved for fluid at very low temps. a combination of out os spec filter and cold dense fluid... that's just a theory and I can't blame BMW for my error. My efforts are an earnest attempt to increase the life and of course my reliability of my transmission... so I can put of that rebuild as long into the future as possible. Don't we as high paying customers deserve both High Reliability and Durability?

as far as non-speced atf fluid my transmission is a GM. My dealer service department doesn't sell transmission fluid to customers. I asked what I should do. The service tech walked out side with me and told me they use any DEXvi they can get in bulk.
I asked him if Mobil1 trans fluid would work and he said it's one of the best for that transmission. Then he said you can use any Dexvi... all dexvi is synthetic.

I am thinking that my problem has to be related to the aftermarket filter which by the way is the second one of it's type that I put in there.I Probably have 60,000 miles on the same brand of filter with no problems except for recently in the very cold 15degree temps in the morning.

Apples and oranges. I will get a oem filter and put it on and let everyone know if it solved the problem.

To your first point. You can put a man on the moon and spacecraft out to pluto but, these German scientists can't build a tranny that is statistically reliable for as long as the engine can run? It wasn't that many decades ago that at 100K you were routinely rebuilding the top half of the motor in every day cars.
I'd like the same effort made on the trans... Think NEW PARADYME (sp)

I believe reliability can be improved and match that of the engine.

Someone on this board that posts far more than me and had data to back it up said that the transmission is the weakest link on these x5s. his data suggested to me anyway that other companies were building bullet proof transmissions... Honda, Toyota to name a few.

I don't want to start a race war here on MLK day but the venerable Japanese understand a thing or two about reliablity. my German ancestors would be turning in their graves. If they knew what we are putting up with just to drive this german car.

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2002 BMW X5 3.0
2006 Ford Explorer 6 cyl
1998 VW Jetta 2.0 GLS
2004 Honda VTX1800C 100hp 97 lb of torque