Sign of my transmission going?

[Aimster]

I drove around for 30 miles just "chilling". Very normal driving.

I could feel it shifting a lot in the lower gears. It downshifted sometimes hard too. Sometimes from a stop when I wanted to go it hesitated then kicked.

So my real question is this. What would cause the transmission to act that way? Many people here say that when the transmission fails it has to do with internal failure and not with the transmission fluid (not being changed, wouldn't have made a difference).

2001 3.0 103,000 miles.

If it does fail, will I be able to drive it home in the transmission safe mode?

[Aimster]

I want to add that I did a 100k service myself.
Spark plugs, air filter, changed oil.

My intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft sensors were also replaced because I had a check engine light.

Performance is not a problem. Car performs great. Just when I am casually driving it shifts hard. When I want to go fast it goes as fast as the day it came out of the factory.

[jerkinjohn]

Yes you will make it home in trans. safe mod. I did 90 miles like that! Consider your self lucky to go 103k mine went at 72k! Good luck and if you get some can you share with me!

[igosal]

Yes, I experienced the same thing and hoped it would be something else but turned out as bad tranny. Sorry, my friend but take it to stealer or experienced mechanic. Talk to a Stealer and BMW may change it under GoodWill warranty. I got mine changed although it was out of warranty.

[george1202]

Originally Posted by Aimster

I drove around for 30 miles just "chilling". Very normal driving.

I could feel it shifting a lot in the lower gears. It downshifted sometimes hard too. Sometimes from a stop when I wanted to go it hesitated then kicked.

So my real question is this. What would cause the transmission to act that way? Many people here say that when the transmission fails it has to do with internal failure and not with the transmission fluid (not being changed, wouldn't have made a difference).

2001 3.0 103,000 miles.

If it does fail, will I be able to drive it home in the transmission safe mode?

I had a similar wierd shifting pattern and my fairfax BMW said that it was a tranny software issue so they did a re-mapping in the computer (at least that's what it said in my receipt) under CPO warranty and everything was good to go again.

[ljnlaw]

I gotta ask this question again are the new trannys improved or are these failures likely to occur again??? Anyone know?

[Aimster]

Originally Posted by ljnlaw

I gotta ask this question again are the new trannys improved or are these failures likely to occur again??? Anyone know?

You will get a rebuilt transmission usually with 2 year/24,000 mile warranty. If they do not offer warranty check other places. I know the BMW dealerships offer the warranty.

while the word "rebuilt" might scare people, I have heard it is basically as good as new. You would pretty much be getting the same transmission. Nothing different about it so a failure will probably occur again. However, since most of the failures occur around 70k+ I would expect you would have gotten rid of the car by then.

[nietodp]

You should check into having your transmision software upgraded/reprogrammed first. That takes care of many transmission shifting issues that X5 owners have. Your's may be a more serious problem - but it doesn't hurt to check....

[Aimster]

Was there a transmisssion software fix for 01 3.0?

[Zulu95]

What gets me is this French made GM junk costs $2.5K more than the higher rated German tranny.
If and when I need one I'll go for a US reman with the 36K/36 month warranty.