Transmission Problems
 

I need to replace the trans in my X5 after 60,000 miles. I cannot believe that so many X5 owners have transmission problems. Sure seems like BMW put a defective transmission in the X5. I am putting this poll up to see how many others have had problems with their transmissions.

Come on!! A lot of views and not many responses??!! I am trying to ascertain how many of us on here have had transmission issues. From all of the posts I have seen regarding the matter it sure seems like a big issue......

Just curious do you have any Dinan trans or engine software in your 4.6?

believe it, BMW in general has so many transmission problems...

I have stock engine and trans software.....

Dinan or Engine mod kills transmission quicker I believe.

If that is true the transmission really sucks!! I do not think the engine putting out a bit more hp would be the reason for the trans to have problems. Look at how many guys have trans problems who have stock drive trains.

The majority of transmission issues on the 4.6is are caused by a slipping torque converter, at least the torque converter can be replaced (2000USD) and doesn't require an entire transmission to be replaced, however there's a lot of labor involved.
You may just see the problem sooner on a 4.6is if it's driven hard. I've seen torque converters being replaced at 14k miles ....

The Dinan software will not cause the problem(s) to be accelerated , I've been through this with Dinan and BMW NA in the past.

If you have Dinan transmission (or engine) sw installed BMW NA will give you a hard time and usually tell you to take the issue up with Dinan (from this point onwards you better have a good relationship with your BMW/Dinan dealer as you're at their mercy) .

- Jan

ours had a pin in the shifting linkage snap off at about 40k.

did you change your transmission fluid?
do you drive in sports mode a lot?

Not that any of the above should lead to a transmission failure I am just curious.

Mine is about to go out soon too at 102k. I feel it coming :(


Also the poll might not be so reliable. Many of us bought the car used and have no idea if it had previous transmission failure. Ive seen threads on here where the transmission has gone out with less than 40k miles!!

I am the second owner of my X5. The first owner was an a middle aged female so I wouldn't think she beat on it. It was in decent shape all in all. I have had my X for 10,000 miles now. Sports mode and driven "hard" 1% of the time. 99% of the time nice easy driving.

I had a 2000 Expedition. I had a supercharger on it for about two years. That vehicle I drove hard. I went through 3 sets of brakes in 60,000 miles. No broblems with the front CV joints, driveline or transmission. It was putting out over 500hp. There is no reason the X5 transmissions should be failing at under 100,000 miles!!

I bought my 4.6is about 19 months ago with 33k miles and have about 46k on the clock right know...knock on wood I have not had any problems, although I did change ALL the fluids about 3k miles ago (coolant, trans, transfer, diffs, oil) and she's running strong. I drive in S mode about 5% of the time when I want to flick the paddles shifters around a little. I drive the X hard maybe 10-20% of the time whether I am in S or D mode.

I am also pretty anal about maintenance, I only use BMW or good quality synth fluids (Redline, Mobil 1, etc.) and I change the oil in the X every 3k-5k miles. My mechanic thinks I am nuts but I used to take of my E30 M3 the same way and I drove that car VERY hard and she never let me down! I sold the M with 110k on the clock and it was running as strong when I sold it, as it did when I bought it with 28k on it.

I had the same problem and i don't believe in racing it hard. I think it is X5. Mine was out of warranty but still BMW took the charges on its tab and replaced it for free. Maybe they are aware of this known problem and they call this a goodwill warranty.

NEWS FLASH!!!! Just met this guy at the car wash, he has a 01 X5 with 210K on it!!!!!!!!!!! This guy drives every where everyday. He is some kind of developer. He told me that he has never changed his tranny oils "EVER".... All he does is change the engine oils every 5k and keeps up with the maintenance. Thats it. I thought I'd share this info with everyone. I asked him if he wanted to join the forum and he just laughed. He gave me his card and told me to keep my X till it dies, which he said that he will die first before his X.

Flukes are always possible.

I haven't changed the transmission fluid.

Every BMW dealership I called in the east coast said no. They didn't even ask what year/model I had.

They just asked "what makes you think you have to change it?"
When I told them I have 102k miles they said "so what? it is lifetime".

They said they could do it for me but it would definitely not be the same transmission fluid that BMW put in there.

35K, no tranny problems (knock on wood) but had to change some bearings near the CV joints under warranty.

Yeah the dealer also recommended that I do oil changes every 15-20k miles but I am not listening to that either. ;)

I'm just going to leave mine as is. Well, I've notice that a lot of car manufactures are going with the lifetime fluid. For example Lexus has that on there new cars. Why would Lexus a very reliable auto, go with the lifetime fluid and be ok? Since BMW says Lifetime, what makes them so stupid and everyone else a genius? I just don't get it. Just my opinion of course...

I know that some people believe that that draining the tranny fluid can cause particles to become dislodged and cause problems, my motto with respect to vehicle maintenance (I own all of my cars and do not lease) has always been proactive and not reactive. Some mechanics consider me a nut because I will request at certain mileage intervals that parts which typically wear and fail (water pumps, fluids, wheel bearings, battery, CV joints, and the list goes on...) be replaced WITHOUT notice problem. I am always playing the odds that good preventative maintenance will lessen the likelihood of failure. I would rather spend the extra $$ for piece of mind that I am less likely to break down (even though I do have a Premier membership with AAA). I have only owned 6 cars but knock on wood I have never had a serious mechanical failure in any of my rides (watch this will be the kiss of death).

I saw the post on a guy doing e39 trans flush...
 

So I am convinced enough to do mine at 45000 miles. Got the kit and Esso from BavAuto.com and will do it next weekend. Will post you all on what I find once I drop the pan.
My car has been running fine just feels a little gritty in auto mode, manual mode is still crisp. 2002 4.4i X5.

here is the link:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=181682

Post us HPI4v2, I'm curious to see what it looks like....

Bump... We need more responses to the poll!!!

I see there is not a poll option for "I got a manual car because I heard about the autos and didn't want to deal with that."

Coincidentally I have no transmission problems at 75k miles.

I have not had my X for a month and a half
 

The dealership has been playing a blame game between dinan and bmw for three weeks now! My X is a 02 4.4 with 72k and dinan S-2 package and this week the dealership is puting in the second trans. cause the first one they put in was no good. Talk about trans. problems! Thank god it's under cpo and I do agree that a car that we all spend alot of clams on should not blow trans. under 100k! I miss my X:saad:

is Dinan BMW certified?

I feel for ya, john, hang in there. A month and a half is BS!!! Either your dealer didn't do a good job the first time or they never did anything at all. I just can't believe this situation that your in. There are a lot of maybes here. Like for example, maybe the Dinan S2 package is what caused the problem, but then again, I'm sure others have the same package and have no problems. Maybe the dealer just is stupid? Maybe not, either way, try to get this fixed, and maybe later on, find some where else to have work done on your car. I'm at 90k with no problems, thank God, knock on wood. But you never know. Maybe right when my warranty ends, my car will blow a trans??? Then again, "Maybe not".... GL buddy...

Always remeber the lemon laws. Depending on the state if a vehicle needs to be serviced numerous times (some states as low as 3 or 4) for the same problem with no resolve you have a lemon on your hands.

I think it is down right sad that a vehicle the level of a BMW should have transmission problems. Unfortunately we do not have that many responses to the poll but right now we are running at about 25% of respondants with transmission problems.

i took my 03 4.4 with 74kms to the dealer....i am told that i may need a new transmission.....thank god it is still under warranty.....

i will keep you updated about the progress

what do you mean you took it in? was there a light on?

about 5 days ago the following happened..

i tred to put the vehicle in reverse from park...there was some hesistance and i heard a big bang----freaked out---turned the x off---restarted after a minute everything seemed ok----

i would feel a nudge at everytime the vehicle shifted gears

problem 2:::self levelling suspension inactive---this was the reason for taking it in---i got call from the service tech that it may need a new tranny......

i dont mind the new tranny as long as it does not lead to more problems---ie zero km tranny and 76kms engine-----

thank god i have the the exteneded warranty for another 2 yrs

QUESTION: For those with new or rebuilt trannys, are there any continuing issues? The last thing that I want to hear is that after spending $4k on a new or rebuilt tranny more failures are around the corner.

I'm just thinking here, what about a brake down on which X5? Like 4.4 and 3.0. This way, we can see if GM tranny in the 3.0 has more failures and if ZF has more failures...

Just hit 53K on the clock, I use sport mode for slowing down and no problems thus far. I spoke with service rep at Thompson BMW about changing trans fluid and filter ($421 job, $200 for fluid). He asked why and said they serviced many BMWs over 100K and don’t change the fluid.

I know the parts manager at a BMW dealership in NJ for 20 years and he told me I should think about changing the trans fluid at about 75K.

I’m going to have my changed at the 60K service.

drs

latest update:::bmw head office states that a software upgrade is needed, not a new transmission....

It is very likely that you'll see more failure on the 3.0i. The reason for that is not due to whether it's the GM or ZF box, but because over 70% of X5 sold in the US are 3.0i compared to 30%, which includes the 4.4i, 4.6iS, and 4.8iS. So, if you associate GM boxes with 3.0i and ZF boxes with 4.4i, 4.6iS, 4.8iS; then the odd of the GM box failing is over 2 to 1 compared with the ZF box.

Nice point there DKL, but I still would like to see a detail. So far it seems that a small amount of people are having tranny problems. And just maybe "Lovethesport" is right about the tranny upgrade. We will just have to see...

Keep voting!! I would like to gain an accurate picture of the percentage of X5 owners with transmission problems.

what exactly went wrong with your tranny how did u find out that u have to change the whole thing, may be it somthing small. What exactly happened?

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.

no all fluids are where they ar supposed to be...

Please contact me off line regarding transmission probs
 

Hello:

Yes, me too. Had to do a complete rebuild on an 02 4.4 at 104K miles. There is an inherent problem with the ZF transmissions used on the V8's. Is your an 8, or a 6? I'm collecting data on such problems and may pursue a class action lawsuit. Please reach me at [email protected] (or MHKitchen at aol dot com in case the link is blocked).

Thanks,
MK

yes mine is a V8..

If you pursue, count me in on that one also.

2 tranny's in 109k miles.......no warrenty on either....love this truck except for that..

Had an '02 4.4 - kinda sorta my fault - i always jam it in gear, both forward reverse coming out of parking spots. Then lost reverse one day. Had to r&r whole tranny. BMW did it 2x as the replacement was a dud also! Warranty covered both.
Now have an '04 4.8is and it granny-shifts as soft as a puffy pillow. Hate it. Does anybody know if Dinan tranny software helps this?????? Otherwise runs awesome!!

Hey guys - I just joined the club and purchased a '05 4.4i, but I'm getting second thoughts about it now. I've had the car for almost two weeks and I'm starting experiencing the below transmission problems:

1. From Cold start place car in drive and ease on the accelerator - X will hesitate slightly as you accelerate. As you increase in rpms car will shift HARD into second gear. This only occurs from cold start and the problem becomes less apparent as the transmission warms up.

2. From a full stop - release brake and accelerate. X will intermitantly produce a violent jolt comparable to being rear ended almost.

Has anyone experienced these issues?
And if so what was done to repair them and did the repairs resolve the issue.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I have a 2001 x5 and had to replace the transmission at 102,000 miles - 2K over the extended warranty. I finally "bargained" with the dealer and BMW North America and they gave me a 50% discount on the parts. Overall, the job cost me a little over $3,000.

More recently, at 126,000 miles, it appears that the head gasket blew and I not have a major oil/engine problem. It's at the stealer right now being diagnosed. I will NEVER buy another BMW product. Not even a T-shirt with their logo on it. Ummm, hello, that's a $50,000 vehicle that's not engineered for crap. Sorry to be so negative, but to have to put another $4,000 into getting that fixed is RIDICULOUS.

I had a Ford truck when I was younger - Flareside and I took it out all the time and beat on that thing... with the throttle floored forward - reverse - forward - reverse smoke show, donuts and that thing was indestructable... but each-to-his-own. I'll never go back from BMW or MB to anything less!

ZF transmissions are used in millions of vehicles - all manufacturers in all kinds of vehicles

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!!!!

My 2004 3.0 has the GM transmission model a5s-390R and it is made in France.

Interesting. ZF don't list an automatic transmission for the 3.0 petrol (they do for the 3.0 diesel).

Agree that ZF builds transmission in Friedrichshafen, but that is in Germany, not France. I suspect that they may have a plant in Boutheon France as well, but I don't know.

The GM Powertrain plant is in Strasbourg, France. That is where the X5 3.0 automatics are built.

Could the label you are looking at perhaps relate to the transfer case, which is built by ZF?

It is always possible that there is an E53 with a 3.0 petrol engine and a ZF automatic, but it just doesn't show up in the technical literature.

I have been having similar issues
 

I have an 03 4.6is S3 and I have had the transmission serviced at 85K due to the trany fluid smelling burnt. I'm now having issues with trany codes popping up on the ECU.

bf

it would be intersting to see the poll with a 3.0 vs 4.4+ option

note!BMW does not maked any tranny.all the 3.0i/is model still using GM trannies it called GM5 AND GM6 .the GM builded the trannies but it enginer by Bmw.IT DOESN'T MEANT ANY GM TECHNITION CAN FIX OR REBUILD IT.and the ZF TRANNIES builded by it owe company and authorized distributor OEM used for BMW

It is a little hard to decipher your post.

We agree that BMW does not make their own transmissions.

We disagree on whether the transmissions were engineered by BMW. The base transmission is built by either ZF or GM Powertrain. The electronics package and integration into the vehicle electronics is what BMW builds.

ZF is not a BMW company. It is a separate company owned by the Zeppelin Foundation, a legacy from the Zeppelin airship days.

Over the last few months, I was noticing the following issues on a 2006 X5 4.8is with 43,000mi (I took ownership at 18kmi):

-Cold shifts to 3rd were abrupt - ie hard (not present when fluid warmed up)
-Tranny would have a difficult time shifting into 1st after a brief stop (not a California stop where you coast thru the stop sign)
- If I stepped on the accelerator a bit more due to being annoyed (say 1/4 to 1/2 throttle) the tranny would bang into 1st gear.
- Much hunting when going up a 30mph steep hill. It would shift from 5th to a slipping tq converter 4th, then slipping tq converter 3rd then the tq converter would lock after 3secs or so (kind of like a lazy or dumb tranny when it encountered a hill).

Otherwise the tranny was fine. Well the other day I was getting annoyed at the fact it would stick in second after a brief stop. Sure, if I waited 5secs it would go into 1st, but that was annoying me. So I did a bit more throttle (1/2 throttle) and the thing went bluurp bluurp bluurp and noted the trans failsafe. To be sure, I shut it off and it reset and repeated the same thing. This time the trans failsafe light came on with a subsequent Service engine soon light which made me call the dealer. After a brief discussion, they called me back and said keep the loaner, she needs a new tranny.

Driving style is normal. I have done a few hard launches (maybe three to five of them) and I mix between D, sport, and Steptronic for fun. It's lived a pretty tame life really.

I'm in the process of finding a tranny for my 03 4.4i. Its completely blown and i need to replace the entire thing. Im looking at about 4,000 for the purchase + replacement... sigh...

rebuild it yourself.... like $500 bucks....there is a DIY on here somewhere

Mine is an 04 4.8is with 75,000k on it. There is a real shift lag between 1st and 2nd gear, when it finally shifts, CLUNK!! I try to baby it and modulate the throttle for that shift but it is driving me nuts. Had the dealer diagnose and they left me a voicemail just now decribing a transfer case error code. Can that really be it? I am on my way to the shop now to dig in... stand by.

Did you ever run your Expedition at the track?

transfer case error code. What's this about?

My service guy is telling me the same thing today.
Would love to have some insight.

Sorry, can't help with the xfer case code info? Maybe someone else can.

Well...i'm also hearing an odd whining sound coming from the engine bay. I assume it's a faulty refurbished alternator that was recently installed. It's not causing any driving issues, just an annoying sound. Could possibly be the torque converter or tranny. She's going back to the dealer that installed the alternator, this morning. Will circle back with their findings...or lack thereof :confused:

Went to the dealer a few days ago for pick-up, drove the X with a technician and couldn't duplicate the sound. I believe it needs to be driven for a short period before the "sound" appears. They said all is working just fine but it's soon due for it's inspection II...perhaps the inspection service may remedy the sound :dunno:

On another note, I found a competent Euro-indy in NYC and spoke with the owner and head-tech. Owner is a bimmer-fan and the head tech owns an X5 with Dinan S2, they're also a Dinan rep. No more stealers for me :thumbup:

tranny issue maybe
 

Hey guys - i have '05 4.4i with 17k miles and this happens to me also like mc330i as posted above
From Cold start place car in drive and ease on the accelerator - X will buck slightly as you accelerate..if i ease up it stops and i increase pressure on gas it smooths out..as you increase in rpms car will shift HARD into second gear. This only occurs from cold start and goes away as the transmission warms up. i also hear a slight bang from 1st to 2nd only and when warm works ok...any opinions...thanks rob

Has she been diagnosed?

Edit: Bump

2002 X5 4.4 51000 Miles - Torque Converter Slippage
 

The "service engine soon" light came on. I have 51000 well maintained miles on my 2002 X5. A couple of days later as I was driving to the dealer, the engine started to whine quietly in low gear (automatic transmission) and the whining noise disappeared once I got up to 20 mph. The dealer told me that the diagnostics showed excessive slippage in the transmission and that they would need to replace the transmission at a cost of $7410.45 (without tax), but that I was "lucky" since they had one in stock. Needless to say, I had the X5 towed to an independent BMW mechanic. He diagnosed that the slippage was coming from the torque converter and replaced the bearing ($2400), but told me that my transmission fluid, supposedly a "lifetime" fluid was black. He ran the X5 for a couple of days hearing the whining noise after the repair was completed and indicated that the noise is diminishing as he runs it. He suggested that I drive the X5 for awhile and if the noise continues, he will replace the transmission with a rebuilt one and credit me what I paid for the torque converter repair. Obviously my X5 is out of warranty since it is 7 years old. I am going to contact BMWNA about this issue. How can the transmission go in a vehicle with 51000 miles?????

I have entered a post regarding my transmission problems under JBW 2002 X5 4.4i. Here is what I stated:The "service engine soon" light came on. I have 51000 well maintained miles on my 2002 X5. A couple of days later as I was driving to the dealer, the engine started to whine quietly in low gear (automatic transmission) and the whining noise disappeared once I got up to 20 mph. The dealer told me that the diagnostics showed excessive slippage in the transmission and that they would need to replace the transmission at a cost of $7410.45 (without tax), but that I was "lucky" since they had one in stock. Needless to say, I had the X5 towed to an independent BMW mechanic. He diagnosed that the slippage was coming from the torque converter and replaced the bearing ($2400), but told me that my transmission fluid, supposedly a "lifetime" fluid was black. He ran the X5 for a couple of days hearing the whining noise after the repair was completed and indicated that the noise is diminishing as he runs it. He suggested that I drive the X5 for awhile and if the noise continues, he will replace the transmission with a rebuilt one and credit me what I paid for the torque converter repair. Obviously my X5 is out of warranty since it is 7 years old. I am going to contact BMWNA about this issue. How can the transmission go in a vehicle with 51000 miles?????

Go to a ZF authorized shop
 

JBW - Sounds like you may have the dreaded ZF transmission failure coming on. Good luck getting BMW to do anything. Once its out of warranty they only want to sell you a new tranny. My suggestion is find an authorized ZF transmission rebuilder/parts provider to properly diagnose it. BMW dealers DO NOT repair tranny's, they just replace them. A rebuild will run around $3K. When mine was going out, I got the whine, several fault code incidents, and then the dreaded THUNK when starting from a stop. As I've written elsewhere, the failure mode is a cracked clutch housing inside the tranny. It starts slowly BUT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, that could endanger your life (pulling out into traffic and it fails, or the tranny coming apart at speed and dumping fluid under your wheels). I do not recommend you keep driving the vehicle. Get it to a knowledgeable shop immediately, AND if you have the problem, REPORT IT to NHTSA at Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation. If they get enough of these reports before someone is killed or injured, MAYBE BMW will figure out they have some liability here and step up and do the right thing and FIX these. Keep us posted what happens.

I wish the "poll" would have had separate entries for 4.4 and 3.0 engines. Curious to see the failure rate for trans with 4.4 vs. 3.0. Wonder whether the 4.4 trans fails more or less often than 3.0. I have nearly 100K on my '02 3.0, never changed fluid, all appears OK at this point re the transmission. Wish my X5 had a manual.

51000 Mile Transmssion Failure X5 4.4i
 

More on Transmissions
 

JBW - in case this might help. You might contact Wolfgang at Peter Schmidt Transmissions in Burlingame, CA (near San Francisco). The phone is 650 348-3990. (FYI, I have no financial interests with this business.) They are an authorized ZF shop and the one who rebuilt mine. Wolfgang is very knowledgeable and helpful, and possibly can direct you to a ZF shop in your area, or, handle a transmission exchange via shipping with your indy shop? He's also quite familiar with this problem. Note that these same transmissions are also used in Jags (XK8s), Audi's, other BMWs, and Mercedes', and perhaps others. I should note that when mine went out the problem was so great that the replacement part was on "global backorder" for months. I was able to locate one in Detroit by exercising some auto industry contacts I have. I don't know if this situation has improved. Also, I've received reports from MANY owners with this problem. There seems to be no relation to mileage of the vehilce. Some only had a couple thousand miles on them and were replaced under warranty. The failure mileage runs from 2,000 to 150,000, and everything in-between. The ZF transmission is ONLY used in the X5 V8's. The transmission used on the 3.0 6 cylinders was supplied by GM (Hydromatic). Do we have any class-action attorney's out there interested in looking into this???

MK

Thanks, MK. I'll let my mechanic know.

I have an X5 4.8is with 110km on the clock and it go the same problem as a few members. When cold the transmission will hesitate between 1st and 2sd (with a bang most often). I would like to know if someone fix that problem without changing the transmission. Do a transmission oil change will fix the problem?
Thanks

The transmission is sealed and the old transmission fluid cannot be drained out in its entirety. In an attempt to avoid replacing the transmission, my mechanic replaced one of the seals after adding as much new transmission fluid as he could. That did not solve the shifting problem and I wound up replacing the transmission at 51,000 miles - what a travesty! Wish I could be more positive about your chances for a less costly fix.

Seek a ZF Specialist
 

FYI, I sent a reply from my iPhone several days ago, but it seems it didn't make it through. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you stop driving the vehicle immediately. ZF specialists have advised that a cracked clutch housing can result in a catastrophic transmission failure, potentially fracturing the housing and dumping transmission fluid under your wheels and/or causing a lockup condition. This is definitely a SAFETY HAZARD. The symptoms you have are indicative of the cracked clutch housing problem on the ZF transmission. Have it towed to the nearest authorized ZF transmission service center ASAP for diagnosis. As it has been explaind to me by ZF specialists, the alloy casting that comprises the clutch housing has design flaws. Its very thin and light, and cracks. Once that happens, you get the symptoms you are feeling. Further loading can lead to housing failure. They can rebuild it for around $3K (they replace the housing with a revised design version). I'm reasonably sure that's the best you'll be able to do. Sorry to hear about your misfortune (and mine, and many others out there). If you live the US, I also recommend you report this failure to Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation. This is a serious safety defect. If they receive enough complaints, they will open an investigation which could lead to some corrective action from BMW. Good luck, and stay safe.

X5 Transmission Problems
 

I have a 2004 X5 with ongoing transmission problems I had a lurch whilst doing 60km per hour with the vehicle changing between 5th and 6th and back to 5th again every 45 seconds. After a reset of the gearbox computer it lost the lurch and developed the 'shunt' where the gearbox thumps into 1st gear when coming to a halt (feels like getting rear ended by the car behind). I had the software upgraded the fluid changed and the shunting has gone BUT the lurch has returned :-(

They sent the data from the car to BMW Australia and they said the gearbox needs replacing. I said after researching X5 world posts that it is temperature related and they didnt believe me because it only starts to happen after about 30 minutes of driving.

On Saturday 17th April I brought the car in for a 'Pit Stop' where they checked the oil etc. On the way home the Transmission overheated after getting stuck in traffic. Every alarm in the car came on Transmission overheating, 4X4 failure, ABS failure, software program failure, coolant warning, hand brake warning!!!!! I drove straight back to the dealer and the engine is running cool but the transmission radiator is too hot to touch!!! they have determined that the heater valve is blocked starving the transmission of cooling fluid in the heat exchanger. $400 ex germany. I will see if this resolves the problem.

The annoying thing is that I had them check this valve 2 times already with a coolant system flush and change of the transmission fluid! They told me the valves are fine and no need to replace them.

The thing is here DONT RELY ON THE DEALER, use X5 world to research the problem yourself!!!

Cheers

Ian

mine went right at 75k miles of easy driving. was working fine stopped at a red light, when it turned green it wouldnt go forward only in reverse. $6000 later i had a new tranny. no doubt the tranny is the weak link on the vehicle. I cant imagine if i went off road or towed with it how soon it would blow up.

2002 x5 4.6is, 130,000 miles on the original transmission. Drained and refilled fluid at around 120,000. Wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country tonight.

You are definitely the exception not the norm...good to hear though!

175k miles and still going strong. Even done numerous runs between TX and FL towing a 4500lb to 6000lb trailer. Changed fluid at 100k miles. Will be doing another series of drain/fills and filter soon.