I am nervous
 

I used search function to search in forum. I typed these two words:
tranny then transmission and I got alot of threads that contain tranny
or transmission problems. Now I have learned that there problems/errors
with X5 transmission that users have posted here. It seems like X5 major
problems is transmission!? I know transmission is an expensive X5 part and labor to rebuild, to repair or replacement (up to $8K).
In addition, my cousin called me today from California that he has 2006 X5 3.0 and he got transmission problem yesterday and it happened on the way home from work. His X5 with 28K miles and this happened.

How do we drive X5 that keep tranny away from problems? Or it is just because BMW's transmission
is bad, poor quality?

Do you have an X5, or are you concerned for your cousin?

If you have an X5, listing it in your profile would help to answer your questions (age, mileage, model, etc).

If it is about your cousin's X5, he is still under warranty.

Yes, there appear to be more failures of X5 transmissions that one would expect. It often seems to happen after 100,000 miles. I don't think it is related to the manufacturing process of the transmission, since 3.0 models and 4.4/4.8 models have different transmissions, from different suppliers (GM and ZF) and both have had failures. I can't comment on driving habits that cause failures, since we don't have any statistics. I don't think it is related to load, since some owners have towed trailers long distances without problems, and that would normally make the problems worse if it was related to load and heat. Aggressive driving (frequent downshifting) may make it worse, but that is just conjecture. Changing fluid (or not) doesn't seem to have an impact, but some owners change the fluid early because they feel it improves their odds.

Some failures come from failures of electrical sensors, and these by nature will be random. The BMW control package added to the GM and ZF transmissions are the common element between the two transmission models. Sensor failures in the transmission are not much different than the other electrical failures that many BMW models experience, whether it be window regulators, lighting circuits, engine sensors, or whatever.

There you go, transmissions 101.

PS: Welcome to X5World!

JCL: thank you for your reply, yes I do have X5, it's 2004 3.0i 53K miles and my cousin got one since brand new. Yes his X5 is still nder warranty. But what happen if it is out of warranty? My X5 is out of warranty. I don't think he is an aggresive driver. 27K mile and having problem with transmission is a nervous issue for BMW X5.
FYI. I have BMW 528i 1999 and it is now 230K miles. Never have tranny issue and it is still running good. I always keep my car in good shape and good maintenance. I love BMW even though it's expensive for maintenance and i want to treat my 'new' X5 like my 528i.

i wouldn't stress over it. do your part: take care of your car and maintain it properly, and hopefully you will have no issues. what happens after that is out of your hands. also you can get an aftermarket powertrain warranty that will cover the tranny if it goes out if that will put you at ease..

But then you would have to worry about the aftermarket warranty company going out of business or dealing with claims ;)

If you love the car, just set aside the transmission rebuild stash/fund (something you would have gamble on an aftermaket warranty anyway) and use it whenever the issue arises.

ya i guess that is true.. aftermarket warranties are a headache..

setting money aside is probably the best idea.

(i tried doing that once then spent it all on mods :rofl: )

Aftermarket warranty? NO. I should pay more for dealer for more warranty than aftermarket. My friend experienced with aftermarket warranty, they never cover what you need to repair for your car and you will have a very difficult time to deal with them. My indy warned me to buy aftermarket warranty when i mentioned with him for my 528i.

Back to transmission issue, do you see there are many X drivers got tranny problem with X series?

post number 2 in this thread answered that. it varies from owner to owner.