Poor Acceleration & RPM fluctuates

[PROW355]

I have begin to notice when driving the X5 (3.0i manual, 125,000 mi.) that when I engage the gas pedal there is a slight lack of acceleration, and also at certain times when I need to accelerate the RPM begin to fluctuate and at a higher & less controlled rate than expected. I have read on the forum that the problem could be the Torque Converter or even the MAF. Does anyone know what these symptoms show? The SES light is not illuminated and I havent noticed any lack of MPG. Sometimes when driving uphill or with a heavy load I also feel the lack of acceleration partnered with higher rev form the engine. I can hear the engine getting louder and there is very little acceleration when I give it more gas. Any thoughts?

[motordavid]

No torque converter on your manual trans... 'slipping' clutch?
GL, mD

[PROW355]

Thanks for the help. Would it possibly be a clutch problem even though the poor acceleration and high rev comes when in trying to accelerate in gear? I plan on having it look at by an indy or BMW after the holidays but would driving with these symptoms possibly make things worse or catastrophic?

Does the clutch have any sensor attached to it which may throw codes with faults or errors?

Is there anything I could do to rule out the slipping clutch possibility?

[bnw]

Find a clear spot like an empty parking lot. Put your E-brake on, depress the clutch pedal, put it in 5th gear, rev the motor to about 3500 RPM, dump the clutch (slide your left foot off the pedal and let the pedal spring back) If the motor does anything other than die instantly, your clutch is slipping. Get it fixed. It's going to get worse.

[motordavid]

I agree with bnw...that's a good test. No codes to throw that I know of.
The higher revving and lack of accel even at cruising speeds also points to clutch slipping, imo. Our manual trans and clutch is good, but even those wear out after time, esp if your previous owner was not kind to it. A good Indie can diagnose/repair it, but unless they go the junkyard parts route, (and difficult to find other manual X5s), it won't be a cheap fix, though cheaper than the dlr.

A guess from the back row of the Peanut Gallery suggests you can drive it very smoothly for a bit longer, but get it fixed as soon as you can, imo.
GL, mD

[PROW355]

Thank you for the clutch test!

After doing so, the engine cut out immediately. Does this point to something else (I hope)?

[PROW355]

Well gentlemen, The verdict is in, and I am in need of some clutch repair. The Dealership wants $2550 parts & labor. I still have a little life on the clutch but am extremely hestitant to drop that type of loot at it. Any advice on price? Advice on Indy in Maryland?

[PROW355]

Also, the parts alone for the $2500 job = $495. This includes the Clutch assembly, ball bearing + pin.

Is this realistic for the cost of parts and the job itself? Are they going to drop the transmission in order to get the job done?

Does anyone have any recommendations to aftermarket or OE clutch kits?

[SlickGT1]

Yes they will drop the trans. Why don't you take it to an independent shop and pay a fraction of that cost. Shop I know in brooklyn would list that as a days job, and most they would charge is about $300 to $500.

Or you can do it yourself.

[cpgifford]

Most places charge around $500 Just to drop the tranny.. I would expect no less than $800