Transmission: stupid question...

[Abe_Froman]

So in answer to my question about leading indicators of a potential transmission problem, indicators that may allow me to fix a problem cheaply before it becomes a larger, more expensive issue, your answer is to just enjoy the ride?

You're telling me that my transmission will inevitably fail, and that there's not only no way to tell when it'll happen, but that there will be no warning signs in advance?

I'm new here, and all, so you'll have to forgive my ignorance. But is this really the best information the board can offer?

[anerbe]

Originally Posted by Abe_Froman

So in answer to my question about leading indicators of a potential transmission problem, indicators that may allow me to fix a problem cheaply before it becomes a larger, more expensive issue, your answer is to just enjoy the ride?

You're telling me that my transmission will inevitably fail, and that there's not only no way to tell when it'll happen, but that there will be no warning signs in advance?

I'm new here, and all, so you'll have to forgive my ignorance. But is this really the best information the board can offer?

Your first question - there have been posts of transmission issues from all engine variants; 3.0, 4.4, 4.6 and 4.8. Not one of them is exempt.

Also, your question probably requires some statistics or at least a poll asking all owners to state 1. which engine and 2. if they had a problem or not. You could pull together all the posts of people with issues and add up which engine has more, but you don't know the % of people who own what and if they even posted about their issue.

Signs of a failing transmission? Search the forum for people with harsh shifting, gears not engaging, etc... An auto trans is an auto trans. BMW did not put a special trans in this car. Lets just say if it's shifting fine and there's no thumping/poor engagement of gears, etc... you have no signs. Preventative maintenance? I don't think there is anything you can really do besides making sure your trans software is up-to-date and possibly chaning your trans fluid (although there's debate on whether to change the fluid or not in our cars).

Can it eventually break down? - of course. Just like any other car. Transmissions have wearable parts - they will go at sometime. Worrying about it to the point it distracts your from enjoying the car? If you can't change your mindset, buy an extended warranty or get a new car. Used cars aint your bag.

[anerbe]

OP, just look down a couple of posts:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-low-rpms.html

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Abe_Froman

So in answer to my question about leading indicators of a potential transmission problem, indicators that may allow me to fix a problem cheaply before it becomes a larger, more expensive issue, your answer is to just enjoy the ride?

You're telling me that my transmission will inevitably fail, and that there's not only no way to tell when it'll happen, but that there will be no warning signs in advance?

I'm new here, and all, so you'll have to forgive my ignorance. But is this really the best information the board can offer?

You have received pretty balanced responses, so I will generally just echo them and fill in a few points.

There are not reliable leading indicators for a BMW automatic transmission failure. That is because failures are not due to a single cause, or general wear (both of which aid in predictive maintenance). Many failures seem to be related to the failure of sensors and the electronics package in the transmission, and these types of failures by their nature are random.

If you get continuous or repeating fault code messages, that would be a predictor. Unfortunately, the first sign of failure is often a slow-to-engage reverse clutch, and that is a post-failure indicator.

This is in fact excellent information, just not the information we would prefer (whether to give, or receive).

You can certainly change the fluid, and that is intuitively a good thing to do, but the statistics show that it very often leads to a premature failure. That is why many of us won't do transmission fluid changes, we have seen too many failures from doing them. There are not a history of failures from burnt fluid (like transmission used to fail, back 20 years ago). Fluid colour is not an indicator either.

Some of us believe very strongly in preventative maintenance, and do it on other components, it is just that a BMW automatic doesn't lend itself to preventative maintenance.

Hope that helps.

[gregy]

I would suggest changing your fluid at the previous posters recommendation of 30k, there is no such thing as a lifetime fluid. I would not suggest anything but using the OEM brand fluid, I think specs mean less than what was used in the car to begin with. If you do not know what are you are doing than you are probably better leaving it alone if you were going to DIY.

I used to read forums and look for different fluids that may or may not work better than OEM, stuff like Redline and the like. I realized that whatever difference they may or may not make, its not worth the risk of potentially using the incorrect fluid. Engine oil is less risky in terms of brand, I would say Syntec or Mobil 1 will be about the same as long as you are using the correct grade. When it comes to differentials and transmissions, use the original stuff.

[BMWonly]

I bought a 2001 X5 3.0 about a year ago with 91k miles. Transmission had never been serviced. Three independent BMW shops gave me the same recommendation, to service the transmission as soon as possible, and then every 30k. That's what I did, and at least after my first 10k everything is still fine.

I have done some research on German websites (I am German) and read various used car buyers guides. Most of them mentioned that manual downshifts in the tiptronic mode WILL ruin an auto trans. Recommendation is to just leave it in auto all the time.

Hope this helps.

Dieter

[faz]

Originally Posted by BMWonly

I have done some research on German websites (I am German) and read various used car buyers guides. Most of them mentioned that manual downshifts in the tiptronic mode WILL ruin an auto trans. Recommendation is to just leave it in auto all the time.

Hope this helps.

Dieter

Wow... that is the first time I am hearing this. When you say 'an auto trans' do you mean any, or just X5's? Given the increased popularity of paddle shifters on the steering wheels, I am even more surprised to hear that.

[BMWonly]

Originally Posted by faz

Wow... that is the first time I am hearing this. When you say 'an auto trans' do you mean any, or just X5's? Given the increased popularity of paddle shifters on the steering wheels, I am even more surprised to hear that.

I guess that statement was too broad. As far as I know it only applies to the ZF and GM auto transmissions in the X5 and probably other BMW's equipped with the same transmission. The paddle shifters should be fine.