2001 X5 Trouble With Reverse in Transmission
 

Dear Forum-

Problem with the newly purchased 2001 X5.

If the vehicle has been sitting for a while (hours) it won't engage reverse gear unless you let it warm up or increase the RPM's a quite a bit.

All forward gears work great without problems.

I can't even find where to check the fluid level, or is there not even a dipstick?

Any help, advice, or estimates would be great appreciated.

Sincerely,
Jim Kennedy
[email protected]

There is no dipstick for the ATF.

A quick read, since you share the same GM transmission with the E46 3-series.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=211861

It probably means your transmission is on its way out, and that you'll need a replacement soon.

First sign your transmission is on its last leg...

Time to start saving for a new or rebuilt one...

How many miles on your X?

Find a good transmission shop and get ready to buy a quality reman tranny with 3 years 36K miles warranty. Somewhere around $4K last time I priced one for the X with my mechanic.

Wow... that's not exactly the news I was expecting.

So I guess I can't get it rebuilt? Should I head to a dealer or try a local import repair shop?

Anyone have any recommendations in the SW Virginia Area? I'm also able to go as far as Greensboro, N.C.

Oh and it has 72,xxx miles.

Thanks.

-Jim

ANY local repair shop can do this. My mechanic checked with the national engine/tranny rebuild suppliers his shop uses. They offer a completly rebuilt tranny with 3 year/36K warranty. Box costs around $3800 plus R/R.

The X5 transmissions are not common with any BMW cars.

Really? I thought at least the earlier models had the same GM transmissions that BMW uses in many other models. It has the same gear ratios as the GM unit in my X3.

I thought I had read that the 540I and X5 4.4 use the same or very similar ZF 5HP24 transmission.

That could be a sign of low fluid. I'd top it off first, then drive it 'till it dies.