X5 2003 Transmission Slipping at low speeds

[bobc]

I have a 2003 X5 4.4 with 176,000 miles. The transmission is slipping at low speeds. Anyone have any ideas on the issue?
Thanks

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by bobc

I have a 2003 X5 4.4 with 176,000 miles. The transmission is slipping at low speeds. Anyone have any ideas on the issue?
Thanks

probably either the trans or the torque converter.

I think you count your blessings that you made it to 176K miles and now it's time to decide if the vehicle is worthy of a trans rebuild, which is rather costly - probably in the $3-7K range depending if you rebuild or do a new replacement.

One question - did you ever replace the fluid? Just curious since that debate often rages here on the forum.

[bobc]

I was hoping for better news.. Yes I did replace the fluid a couple of times.
Thanks

[JCL]

Originally Posted by bobc

I was hoping for better news.. Yes I did replace the fluid a couple of times.
Thanks

Recently?

[devinwwu]

i had the same issue. it started out as a noticable shudder between gears mostly around 35-40mph and light throttle. When driven in sport, that seemed to help. We drove it that way for about a year and then the trans fail safe went off and when warm, it would rev up and then slam into gear from a stop or low gears.

transmission shop and independent bmw shop both said the tranny needed the dreaded rebuild. Just called the tranny shop today and turns out a bearing went out and caused some tolerance issues. He said he sees it all the time on these transmissions,..

bite the bullet. he's estimating about $4,500 OTD

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by devinwwu

i had the same issue. it started out as a noticable shudder between gears mostly around 35-40mph and light throttle. When driven in sport, that seemed to help. We drove it that way for about a year and then the trans fail safe went off and when warm, it would rev up and then slam into gear from a stop or low gears.

transmission shop and independent bmw shop both said the tranny needed the dreaded rebuild. Just called the tranny shop today and turns out a bearing went out and caused some tolerance issues. He said he sees it all the time on these transmissions,..

bite the bullet. he's estimating about $4,500 OTD

Devin,
what's the name of the tranny shop? You can PM me if you don't want to post it here.

A BMW indy shop quoted me $6700 before tax, about a couple years back when I thought I had tranny problem.
Thanks.

[devinwwu]

It sounds like they were quoting anew reman'd unit from BMW. I was given that option too, but they recommended I get mine rebuilt by a full time tranny shop. The Indy'susually don't rebuild these things, just service and diagnosis type stuff, or a full swap of a previously rebuilt unit. Take it to a good transmission shop and see what they say.

[faxman14]

Looks like I have the same think...157,000 miles.

I have been searching for weaks - I call it a shudder or a stumble feeling at about 25-35 mPH and 1500 rpms..usually going uphill

[Sphengali]

I had the same thing happen yesterday, transmission jolt while braking, then it went into failsafe mode. I replaced the battery today, but the failsafe mode is still happening. Can I reset it back to 'normal' via the OBC II, or do I have to visit a stealer?

[HEISING]

Sphengali, when you shut the vehicle off, remove the key, re-install the key and re-start, it should clear the failsafe mode. If the failsafe mode returns, you have other issues. My issue was the DSC module. One or more of the wheel speed sensors was not communicating.

bobc, A common problem with failing transmissions is due to NON dealer tranny service. They do not know the proper procedure for a tranny re-fill. When I purchased our BMW, The tranny fluid was low due to improper service. I have heard many other low fluid stories done by misc tranny shops. Luckily I found out about this before any damage was done. I was 1.5 - 2 litres short.