Look, its not the zf tranny that's the problem. I believe its got to do with the driver of the car. How does he/she drive? Is there a constant abuse? Understand that if someone where to beat on any tranny, that tranny over time will begin to brake down. Now the only complaint that I have with all these new tranny's is the famous "Life time fluid". I just don't get it, and I think I never will. But so far Lexus, Infiniti, MB, Bmw and now Cadillac (which is using ZF tranny also) are many of auto manufacturers that are life time fluid. So far, if you do some research, you will find that a really small amount of people are having problems with there tranny. So, I'm just going to drive the X till it dies. If the tranny goes, well I've got my indy ready to jump on it. It will cost me 3k total to r and r. I've thought about getting rid of the X, but when I wash it up, every other SUV looks like crap compared to the X.

4.6is transmission failure
 

I would like to list the problems that I have encountered with my X5 in the past month. After reading these problems, I would welcome any input that you may have.
I have a 2002 X5 4.6is automatic with 59K miles.

1. Front left drive axle failed. BMW dealer recommended replacing both axles due to the fact that when one fails, the other may follow soon. Both axles replaced.
2. While dealer had my X5 to repair the axles, they found a small oil leak on the head gasket (left side of the engine). They replaced gaskets on both sides of engine.
3. Dealer then performed 60,000 mile inspection. They flushed the radiator and brake system.
4. During the test drive to determine of there were any problems after the inspection and engine work, the starter failed. Replaced starter.
5. Picked up the truck on Friday afternoon from dealership. Drove it approximately 200 miles the next day.
6. After approximately 200 mile drive listed above, the transmission failed. X5 was in drive, going approximately 50 MPH. Engine revved to about 6000 RPM, transmission message came on and truck had no forward power. Coasted to the side of the road and called tow truck.
7. The X5 is currently at the BMW dealer. I am waiting on their diagnosis.
8. There were no known failures of the starter or tranny before it went to the dealer.

Questions...Is there a known failure when the dealer adds the wrong ATF fluid to the tranny?
Not sure if the dealer drained the tranny fluid when they changed the front axles. Is this required?
Do any of you know if these problems might still be covered under warranty?

Thanks for the help.

First, I must tell you, coming from my end of repair work on my X, I understand your stress. I just feel that you had all these things happen all at once. It does seem that when there is one problem there ends up being many more that follow. Well, this is just from my experience of course. Either way, the ZF Tranny I been told, either will give you problems from an earlier stage or won't give you any but die after 100k. Now, which one is right, I really don't know. I have 104k on mine right now, it still shifts nice and smooth, but you never know what can happen. Good Luck with your problem. Hope everything turns out fine.

As I posted in a previous post. My service engine soon light came on after picking it up from the dealership for some other problem. They told me i either needed to replace the torque converter or the transmission and recommended the transmission because replacing the torque converter doesn't gaurantee to fix the problem.. mind you the cost is $8000. The nice people on there recommended i get a second opinion and not at a dealership.I don't trust them anymore, it seems like whenever I take it in for something no matter how minor I have 6 other problems that pop up right after they fixed what ever I had it in there for. Sorry to hear what's going on with yours.. I wasn't any help but I understand the frustration.

V8...............Tranny
 

This is why I chose the 3.0 over 4.4........ the ZF Tranny with the 3.0 seems more reliable then the one on 4.4 maybe its too much torque ????

Sleepless, nice avatar! But to answer your quote. GM makes the 3.0 trannies. And ZF for the V8's. To be honest, I've heard a lot more GM trannies going bad then ZF's. But again this is he said she said stuff. There is no explaination about why they fail, but sure you not, both trannies have a great possibility to fail at anytime. My thing is when people use the manual shifting. I think that's where trannies begin to fail. Just my opinion.

ZF.....
 

Really.... U R saying that GM makes the tranny for the 3.0 X5 huh ..... that's interesting, because my 05 X5 3.0 tranny was built in Friedrichshafen, Bouthéon which is in France where most of ZF auto tranny's are built...you may want to double check your resource about GM ......:cool:

Well thats interesting as well. I have been told countless times on this board that the 3.0 trannies are build by GM. Now I know I can dig up all the old posts but whats the point. Maybe from 04 and up they stoped using GM because of all the problems they were having? I don't know, but thanks for the info.

My salesman tells me that the new electronic trans shifter, is programed to provide less stress on the trans.

To sleepless.... I still would take the 4.4 or 4.8 any day over the 3.0. It's just my opinion and my liking.. I want an suv with power, if I didn't care about power I still wouldn't buy the 3.0 I would buy something other that BMW why spend the money. More torque the better.. Please don't take offense it's just what I prefer. I like all the torque!!!!