Automatic Transmission

[X5Dawg]

The 4.4i has a different tranny (ZF vs. GM) - you might want to do some research to see if it is susceptible to the same issues.

[primetime]

willgabriel..X5dawg is correct the 4.4 tranny is different it is a ZF tranny. That being said the ZF tranny's have been known to fail also as you can see from above..

Will, the thing is both tranny's have been known to fail at around the 100k miles mark give or take..So really its up to you if you wanna save $ for this eventual problem, or if you wanna cut your losses now and get back to the Landcruiser..

[willgabriel]

Originally Posted by primetime

willgabriel..X5dawg is correct the 4.4 tranny is different it is a ZF tranny. That being said the ZF tranny's have been known to fail also as you can see from above..

Will, the thing is both tranny's have been known to fail at around the 100k miles mark give or take..So really its up to you if you wanna save $ for this eventual problem, or if you wanna cut your losses now and get back to the Landcruiser..

Primetime and X5dawg, thanks for your helpful replies. The transmission seems to be somewhat of a crapshoot. I am fortunate to be good friends with a Master BMW mechanic who owns his own shop. He hasn't seen anything unusual in my X5 as far as the transmission is concerned, but he suggested I consider a fluid drain and refill. Of course, this does not guarantee anything, and in fact, some think the fluid drain/swap actually increasing the likelihood of a failure. As such, I opted against doing that, and would just save the money for a transmission swap/rebuild if I ever need one - if I keep the X.

Otherwise, the NADA value of my X5 is higher now than it was 4 months ago (24.8k retail, and 20k trade-in). After having the hoses changed tomorrow there should be no more drips according to my friend, and the X is in very good shape all around otherwise. It may be a good time to trade and either upgrade to a newer, under warranty X (can't beat their handling), or go for the Land Cruiser (I've had two in the past).

[Tleong]

Originally Posted by willgabriel

Primetime and X5dawg, thanks for your helpful replies. The transmission seems to be somewhat of a crapshoot. I am fortunate to be good friends with a Master BMW mechanic who owns his own shop. He hasn't seen anything unusual in my X5 as far as the transmission is concerned, but he suggested I consider a fluid drain and refill. Of course, this does not guarantee anything, and in fact, some think the fluid drain/swap actually increasing the likelihood of a failure. As such, I opted against doing that, and would just save the money for a transmission swap/rebuild if I ever need one - if I keep the X.

Otherwise, the NADA value of my X5 is higher now than it was 4 months ago (24.8k retail, and 20k trade-in). After having the hoses changed tomorrow there should be no more drips according to my friend, and the X is in very good shape all around otherwise. It may be a good time to trade and either upgrade to a newer, under warranty X (can't beat their handling), or go for the Land Cruiser (I've had two in the past).

From many posts concerning tranny failure, many of the times it comes out of nowhere and the X didn't give any prior warning before failing. This whole crap shoot made me too wary to keep the X.

[willgabriel]

Originally Posted by Tleong

From many posts concerning tranny failure, many of the times it comes out of nowhere and the X didn't give any prior warning before failing. This whole crap shoot made me too wary to keep the X.

I agree. This is a shame, too. The X5 (E53) is such a great driving SAV in the BMW tradition. The "nickel and dime" issues (more like "Franklin and Cleveland" issues) truly keep many otherwise devoted BMW enthusiasts from owning an X5.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by willgabriel

I agree. This is a shame, too. The X5 (E53) is such a great driving SAV in the BMW tradition. The "nickel and dime" issues (more like "Franklin and Cleveland" issues) truly keep many otherwise devoted BMW enthusiasts from owning an X5.

Well - these same transmissions are used in other BMW's of the same era, so the issue is not unique to the X5. Nor is it unique to BMW. Pretty much all of the luxury Euro brands experience a high % of AT trans failures. Or you could drive a Lexus and save yourself that expense. Personally, I think the BMW is worth it over driving a Japanese car / SUV. Chances are you are going to buy one AT trans if you attempt to own a BMW for 200K+ miles - pretty much any AT equipped BMW. And you also might get lucky and it won't happen.

[bgsquad]

come on, don't exaggerate guys!! @ 100K X5s need a new trans? said who? what is this theory? I know the local market here in lebanon where almost 90% of the X5s are 3.0 imported from the states with around 100K on the clock, and I haven't heard any complaints of failing trans. mind you that here the news travel fast, and many cars are quickly labeled as "to avoid" like the 98-99 ML for example, or RR as a whole maker saying that "they have issues", or the alfa romeo (again, there's a rumor that they brake up a lot)... so even in such a "gossip oriented" society where any weakness in any car is fiercely attacked, I haven't heard that the X5 tend to have a failed trans... so stop the fobia! maybe because of our driving conditions, where the average speed is 20mph on the OBC... so maybe cruising at high speed in the states wears the trans more... anyways, I am approaching the 100K mark, and i hope that it will drive me till 140K (5 more years with my annual average of 7-8k miles)... then i plan to go for an X6

[wallyx5]

Originally Posted by bgsquad

come on, don't exaggerate guys!! @ 100K X5s need a new trans? said who? what is this theory? I know the local market here in lebanon where almost 90% of the X5s are 3.0 imported from the states with around 100K on the clock, and I haven't heard any complaints of failing trans. mind you that here the news travel fast, and many cars are quickly labeled as "to avoid" like the 98-99 ML for example, or RR as a whole maker saying that "they have issues", or the alfa romeo (again, there's a rumor that they brake up a lot)... so even in such a "gossip oriented" society where any weakness in any car is fiercely attacked, I haven't heard that the X5 tend to have a failed trans... so stop the fobia! maybe because of our driving conditions, where the average speed is 20mph on the OBC... so maybe cruising at high speed in the states wears the trans more... anyways, I am approaching the 100K mark, and i hope that it will drive me till 140K (5 more years with my annual average of 7-8k miles)... then i plan to go for an X6

I am sitting at 266,301 and still on the original tranny. By no means has it been the weak link in my bimmer. There is no warning or anything that say the tranny will only last 100K or 50k or 300K. I am with XDawg even if the trans fails I will repair it and keep going, because very few SUVs offer the ride and handling of X. I love driving it even if its just a 3.0.

[X5Sport]

Having just suffered an auto transmission failure at 42k miles - and had BMW offer a complete replacement for approx $10k, I am having it rebuilt for about $2.5k under the care of a Warranty Direct insurance policy. In my case the torque converter failed which took out the AT oil pump and the low pressure on the AT hydraulics did the rest by destroying the clutch packs. There were no warnings at all. BMW GB do not allow their dealers to repair, only replace the boxes and that adds hugely to the cost - there are expert rebuilders and the cost is about 25% of replacement.

I have had a number of conversations with the engineers who are fixing mine and it appears that the number of failures is AT's is high. BMW are not the only ones suffering premature failures with both GM and ZF boxes, nor is it limited to the luxury market alone. I have friends with Citroens, Range Rover, Ford and Merc's who have all recently suffered premature failures - in one case twice!

One mechanic thinks that the new boxes are much smarter electronically, but mechanically still weak as certain components - such as the Torque Converters & Lock Up clutches - are having to work much harder. In the 'good ol days' when AT's were three speed only things were straightforward. We now have 6,7 and even 8 speed ATs which are hugely complex (and VERY expensive) when they fail. I don't expect the overall failure rate in percentage terms is high, but I for one did not want an AT on mine but was told it would be almost unsellable in the future as the UK market for manual X5's is so low.

[willgabriel]

Originally Posted by wallyx5

I am sitting at 266,301 and still on the original tranny. By no means has it been the weak link in my bimmer. There is no warning or anything that say the tranny will only last 100K or 50k or 300K. I am with XDawg even if the trans fails I will repair it and keep going, because very few SUVs offer the ride and handling of X. I love driving it even if its just a 3.0.

Yes, I realize the transmission may last upwards of 200k+. Yet, the number of "failed transmission" in my X threads on here, and in general is HIGH compared to other SUV/SAV's. Certainly every vehicle has its weak areas, but the X5 has the transmission, cooling system, oil separator valve and hoses plus the window regulators, etc to monitor/be prepared to fix. That doesn't necessarily mean they are bad vehicles to own, and I certainly enjoy mine. But, at some point (around 100k miles), I think it is wise to ask the question: "Do I want to put another 4-5k in this vehicle (8-10k if the transmission goes) to hopefully get another 50-100k miles out of it, or do I need to get a newer X5 w/ warranty or a Toyota Land Cruiser, etc? My Master BMW mechanic suggests that I sell before 100k if I am not ready to invest the $ for repairs (and I have owned 540's, so I know some repairs go along with the territory).