For me it was a whining niose that was an indication there was something wrong. After a while the X would do severe down shifts from 2nd to 1st at about 15 to 20 mph.

Aparently BMW does not repair transmissions, they just replace them.

tranny
 

I honestly did not know there was anything wrong with the transmission...

I went to see about the following error::::self levelling suspension inactive:::

the dealer tells me thee transmission is gone...bmw canada first asked for the software to be re-programmed:::::i presume it did not work-----as they called me and said a new transmission is required:::::::

i will try to get info from the tech who worked on it to find out what exactly were the symptons and characteristics of this problem;;;;

Check out my post,
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...y-02-4-4i.html

Well the remanufactured transmission has been ordered. The fellow at the shop told me there was metal in the transmission pan. Additionally, he told me the "transmission filer was clogged". He said BMW recommends to change the transmission fluid and filer at 100k and if I had come in and asked about a trans service he would not have recommended I get one. I asked him when would I have had to have done a trans service to not have the clogged filter. (I am not exactly sure what the filer is but I gather it is internal in the transmission) His response was 25,000 - 30,000 miles. I will do a trans service at 90,000.

FYI, the service center is European Auto Service in Fort Lauderdale ( EuropeanAutoService.net )

40000 km and going fo it
 

You know guys, at 64k km a= 40k miles, i am going for it.

filter and oil (no flush) honest to goodness, it would feel good.

Who is with me!

My X has got 81000 KM, so far so good with the transmission. Hopefully it can last forever until my X dies. In HK, there is no CPO program or other warranty plan to protect consumer, only 2 years unlimited mileage starting from brand new car purchase. If my transmission fails, I have to pay for replacement, and only re-built transimmion will be replaced. It costs lot of money and I wish it will never come to me.

The failure mode isn't described here. If a bearing failed in the transmission, and the subsequent damage clogged the filter, then changing the filter would not have helped. OTOH, if the filter was clogged due to normal wear, and that caused the failure that produced the metal in the pan, then changing it may have prevented a failure. My point is that you only have partial information, not a failure analysis report. By all means, if changing the filter feels good, then you should do it. It is just that determining the cause vs the effect post-failure can be difficult, it isn't always straightforward.

Well stated. I guess the only downside to doing the transmission service is spending the $200 bucks....

I am wonderng if any of you guys have xperianced this problem. I have a 2004 4.4i with 47,142 miles on it. When your stopped at a light and you hit the gas the RPM's go up like if the transmission is in neutral then when the RPM's hit around 3500 the gear engages. It only does it once in a while not on a constant basis. The dealer has checked it out and they keep saying that there is nothing wrong with the transmission or any other part of the vehicle. I am just trying to see if any one has had this problem and if it lead up into something much bigger.

sounds like you are low on fluid.