Transmission Reliability

[Roadkill]

It appears that the '00-'03 5 spd auto transmissions are rather prone to premature problems or failure. Are the '04-06 6spd versions any better? TIA.

[Wagner]

In short, not really. The transmissions may be a weak point in the X drive train but not to an extreme extent.

[ncsucarjock]

I think the tranny problems with the X are like the tranny problems with the earlier Dodge Rams. You heard about a lot of failures, and how crappy they are, but with regular service, they seem to live an average to long life. Change the fluid every 50k miles, and drive it until it dies.

[m5james]

as that the only way to keep them reliable. Ignore BMW's recommendations, which they no longer recommend on their newer cars. It seems to me the 6spd's have more problems than the 5's.

[julezw]

My 6 speed ZF on my o4 X5 got rebuilt at 100,000kmhs, there seems to be debate on changing trans fluid/ but after my experience i definitely would change, but following proper procedure

[Supernatural]

I see most are talking about the hydro transmissions. What's the concensus on the manual transmissions?

[m5james]

I've used Redline in my M5 for years w/o an issue. I change it just as frequently as the auto's I have. For the cost, $20-$30 worth of fluid every 3 or 4 years is far cheaper than $5000 every 7 or 8 years when the tranny fails. Ever since I started buying BMW's in 99, I've never experienced a failed, notchy or hard shifting tranny, and I by no means have any plans to either.

[cheappc]

I read about transmissions going bad on the x's before I bought mine... so tell me people lets get honest here, which transmissions go bad?
1. The 5 speed auto?
2. The 6 speed auto?
3. The 5 speed manual?

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by cheappc

I read about transmissions going bad on the x's before I bought mine... so tell me people lets get honest here, which transmissions go bad?
1. The 5 speed auto?
2. The 6 speed auto?
3. The 5 speed manual?

For longevity driven in normal condition nothing beats manual. So if you drive alot and tend to keep your car for a long time get manual.
My Audi A4 manual trans hit 125,000 miles and driven hard after I got my new turbo on it and it still ticking (no slippage symptoms yet). BTW, all v8 X5 come with auto.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by cheappc

I read about transmissions going bad on the x's before I bought mine... so tell me people lets get honest here, which transmissions go bad?
1. The 5 speed auto?
2. The 6 speed auto?
3. The 5 speed manual?

These are just generalizations, but...

I'd say the 5spd can be more reliable if serviced. Debates in regards to the pros and cons can be found all day long, but plain ol' common sense tell me that NO fluid is ever lifetime.

The 6spd's are newer and apparently have been breaking down just as frequently as the 5spd's, but the difference is...most of those 5spd's are over 100k, while the 6spd's are newer and should still be in a lower mileage range.

The manual isn't perfect either, I've read threads over the years of people having synchro issues, popping out of gear, etc. For some reason my M5 uses ATF in it's 5spd manual, and just like the fluid servicing debate, you will find just as many people who've have good or bad luck w/ fluid changes in those transmission as well.

I still believe that going super long intervals on stock fluids just isn't a good idea, but that's just me. 50k fluid changes and nothing has failed yet, so I'm gonna keep doing what I've always done. Just changed the fluid in my 90 Chevy winter beater a few months back, all 270k on the odo and still shifts perfectly fine, w/ and w/o the trailer.

I'm sure someone can find information contrary to this, but pay attention to the paragraph in regards to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association opinions, who will know more than any of us armchair mechanics will ever know. How often should the automatic transmission fluid... — Yahoo! Autos