Crazy Engine Sound?
 

Alright so today when I started my car everything was fine until around a few seconds after, when the engine started to have a repeating sound to it, and the car began to vibrate hard, the sound and the vibration happening at the same time. I noticed when accelerating to higher speeds I was going to higher RPMs and it seemed like It wasn't changing gear. It felt like it wouldn't pick up when I was pushing down on the pedal. More noticeably at a stoplight idling, accelerating initially is extremely shaky. I also noticed some fluid had leaked in the driveway.

I'd really like to not have to take my car into a shop, I'm looking to diagnose and fix this issue. If you've got an idea at what my problem is please let me know, and if you know how I can start to diagnose what it could be, please key me into the steps!

3.0 2006 e53 m54 automatic

Engine type, year etc may assist us..

Typed this in a rush, totally went over my head.

3.0 2006 e53 m54

possibly convertor failure or low fluid level?
 

Question 1: automatic transmission or manual?
Question 2: what type of fluid, motor oil or transmission ?
Question 3: if automatic, do you get the same shudder in reverse?

If automatic, the torque convertor may be failing, giving repeated cyclic sounds as it rotates; very low fluid level will cause slippage/shudder in forward gears, while less noticeable in reverse.

1. Automatic
2. The fluid appeared to be something other than motor oil or coolant, the puddle was driver side.
3. I do get the slippage/shudder while headed in reverse, just not as bad.

I'll try to record a video of the sound here in a second

Here is a video of me starting the car, briefly reversing, and briefly going forward. I think the last few seconds of the video do the sound justice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmNeojKc4yQ

Looking at just buying a new car, not sure what to do with this.

Take the belts off. Turn each pulley and tensioner by hand. Does yours have the air dam installed under the bumper? If not, remove it and check the power steering fluid lines. Check the transmission oil cooler lines. Unfortunately, there is not a transmission oil level stick. Only a plug. Eliminate the easy stuff before taking it a shop. If the items mentioned are good, have it towed to get the transmission oil level checked. The key is to find the liquid leak.

Right on, I can do all of this within a day or two and get back to you.

What exactly is the air dam?

When looking for a shop, should I find a place that specializes in euro cars? There may be a shop or two within a mile or so, would that be too risky to drive?(I've already driven it maybe 20 ish miles out of necessity the day of noticing the issue)

A shop that specializes in euro cars would probably charge you more. It's a GM transmission. A shop should easily check fluid level on a lift with a scanner. A scanner is necessary to know oil temperature. I paid a local shop last year to change the transfer case oil, trans filter, and oil for $125. A few discounts were applied though.