4.6 is transmission problems

[BennyX]

I've had a 3.0is and a 4.6is. Each had a transmission that shit itself. On the 3.0, I damaged it by spinning in the snow at full throttle, then the transmission shifted just as I got to the pavement and blew out 2nd gear. BMW quoted me $6500CAD for a new transmission. But being the cheapo I am, I called every specialty transmission place in town to try and get a better deal. When almost everyone refused to take on the repair, that should've been my que to go back to the dealer. Instead, I made a brutal mistake, and let Dot's transmission in Edmonton Alberta, convince me that they could do the work for $1500 to $2500CAD. The work took months instead of a couple weeks as promised, and cost almost $5000CAD. The truck was half decent in forward gears, but had a terrible binding when in reverse. Bottom line: unless someone has EXTENSIVE repair experience on BMW transmissions, your better of just paying the stealer.

On the 4.6, it had the terrible "bang" when it downshifted. It started to go into a 4th gear fail safe mode off and on, until eventually it stayed in 4th. It was a US vehicle with CPO warranty, so I drove 12 hours to Spokane in 4th gear. They had ordered a sensor that the Edmonton BMW dealer had diagnosed as the problem. That wasn't the problem. BMW Spokane ordered a new transmission under CPO warranty. Bottom line: As much as we all want our transmission problems to be a $200 sensor, it seems that sometimes we just have to face the reality that the problem is in the transmission, and to get it fixed right the first time, is gonna be expensive.

[colin1892]

Thanks for all the responses and advice guys, all taken on board

[E55AMG2]

IIRC, the Steptronic software will not shift down below 3 until you come to a complete stop (or below a certain RPM/MPH)

[chilliwilli]

Originally Posted by Alpine M3

Can you tell me anything else about this sensor? Lmk
Thanks

Not much else i can tell you except that it should've been replaced if you had a new tranny and TC installed. You may wanna check-in with whomever did your replacement. I guess it helped that the tech that rebuilt the tranny and installed the new TC on my X was a former BMW tech.

[ayagutak]

is there any fix for this problem

[electricalserv x5]

I know this is a old post, I am having my 03 4.6is transmission rebuilt, so far so good, the INDY told me $4200 on the high side, spoke to him today, he told me BMW has a bulletin on the control valve body, he found that has a crack, going for new one now.
I hope this cover it, this guy has a good reputation here in NY for work on transmissions.
wow update, he just call me to tell me that DIscount Tire Direct, ship me the wrong size tires the height is wrong, and that is hurting the front and rear transmission.
And I check on the price for the tranny rebuild, torque, valve body all parts[new from BMW], check fluids on all $4200..................GOT TO LOVE THIS GUY.

[epdarks]

It's not that you need to worry about the wrong tire size, but rather if the tires are different heights front and rear. Generally those would lead to a blown transfer case, not transmission.

fwiw, my re-manufactured trans was $4050 from BMW.

[electricalserv x5]

Correct epdark,I am hunting down the problem right now.I think what happen I had a auto body place replace the wheels and I had OEM on and the shop installed AFTER MARKET wheels, and I am sure there is a difference in the size of the wheels.
It's amazing that something so simple should be straight forward, but no, one dum ass comes along and tries to save his boss money and BAM, your car is f--ked.
I have to check these guys all the time, and they say ,what You want it perfect, YES I WANT IT PERFECT, I PAY MY BILLS ,SO DO IT RIGHT.

[jsoto]

What's the name of my tranny builder shop.

Wrong tire ratios, etc will do WONKY things on the 4x4. Just because a tire fits, doesn't mean it's right. So did Discount Tire ship you the wrong tires or the shop ordered the wrong aspect ratio. Whomever installed the tires would have known it was the wrong size IF the wrong tires were shipped..

I've had plenty of different sized wheels ....on the X. It all boils down to keeping the correct tire ratio. I HAD a HARD ON for some Michelin Super Sports. Played around with different sizes they had in their lineup, but nixed the idea as I did not find a correct working ratio.

[electricalserv x5]

hi Jsoto,I think it was the body shop that gave me the after market wheel, they are all Michelins Latitune HP [9.5"front,10.5"back,radius20"],I am waiting for the X5 to come out of the tranny shop.
The shop is A&A transmission in Thornwood NY[Westchester].he is spot on so far and replacing all the big stuff with OEM.There was a crack in the valve body,that is a big dollar item [$1524.85] Alpina for V8.