Gearbox Problems. A quick poll

[Sudesh]

Recently I have noticed quite allot of topics on the X5 having gearbox/transmission problems and in some cases having to be replaced more than once. My dad included. It seems to be a problem from around 55k on!!
Now I know that BMW say the gearbox/transmission has lifetime oil but I never liked that statement and always had gearbox/transmission oil and filter changes done on previous BMW auto models EVERY 25/30K; and when my X5 reaches 25/30k I'll be having the gearbox/transmission serviced also.
I'm just wondering how many X5 owners has had the dreaded gearbox/transmission problem? and those that have, can you list the miles that was on your X when the problem occoured.

[kevnmurphy]

For those of you who do service your gearbox / tranny, does it help or prevent things from happeneing?

[Sudesh]

I cant comment on the X5 yet as mine has only coverd 18k, but on my E39 540, I had the gearbox serviced every 25/30k and when I sold it, there was 130k on the original transmission and it was running as smooth as the day I first got it.
Not sure if there are many BIG differences between the two and if the X being 4WD is a bit more sore on the transmission but its still a service I'm going to maintain on my 4.6 and hopefully wont run into the problem.

[xnsf]

i would assume that now would be the time that most people will have transmission problems. 7 years since introduction, and i assume that upwards of 75000 for most drivers is plausible

the only thing i have had done to my transmission was a software update. i hope the dealer didn't update anything stinky to make it die on cue :eek:

[Sudesh]

My dads X is 12/2003, with just 50k when it started the trans problem!

[kevnmurphy]

Sudesh,
if you don't mind, could you explain some of the details of what was happening with the trans, please. And do you know if replacing the fluids is a DIY or how much a shop would charge.
Thanks for the info in advance, and great post for us newer X owners.

[Sudesh]

Take a look here kevin: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hlight=gearbox

It can be a DIY service but I will be leaving that to BMW on my own X
DIY link
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hange-diy.html

[AzNMpower32]

What I've gathered off forums and from Roundel is that there's no guarenteed way to break or save your automatic gearbox. Some will fail at 80k even though the owner did a 50k mile flush. Others have run to 200k. But it's safe to say that most of the ZF and GM automatics tend to go around 90-120k miles. Just start saving up some money every week to prepare for the inevitable.

My next BMW will be a manual

[BimmerDude]

Don't really know about this Tranny problem. What I do know is that this forum is not great proof that Bmw tranny's are going bad between 90 and 120k. Don't forget all the other owners out there that have 150k plus on there X without any problems. I'm hoping there is only a few selected occurrences and this is not typical in any BMW.

[Sudesh]

I'm a member of a few other BMW forums that have reported the same issues! So just really trying to guage the answers from all the forums to see how it turns out.