Quote:
Originally Posted by srmmmm
It appears to me the people with the most problems are those who number one: perform frequent fluid changes (possibly with the wrong fluid); number two: reprogram or modify their transmissions, and number three: misinterpret worn driveshaft splines or low vehicle voltage as a transmission problem. I think the units are quite reliable under normal driving conditions. However, due to the higher performance characteristics of the X5 itself, many of us take on a more "spirited" driving attitude, thus advancing the normal wear cycle of the driveline. I have 242,000 miles on my 3.0 with a build date of October 2002. The fluid has never been changed and I have done at least 15,000 miles of towing a 1300 pound PWC & trailer in Texas heat with no problems at all.
In past lives with GM turbo 350s, 400s, 200Rs, a fluid and filter change every 30,000 miles was the norm. But with newer synthetic fluids and the precision of electronic controls, the internal wear factors have been sharply reduced.
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I would be among those that change the fluid (every 50,000) miles. My transmission is also modified with Dinan transmission software. I also have all the Dinan mods plus nitrous. I am in Texas also, and have the original transmission at 110,000mi. That means there is at least one transmission in service that is still performing as intended having done all the above.
My question is--when a particular BMW transmission fails what are the likely causes in descending order of likelihood.