Horror from underneath!
 

Lately all these noises have been developing. I usually get that vanos marbly noise when I start up in the morning, but recently a whining/grinding started. Needless to say I have been driving with the radio off, yeah a little ocd, listening for noises. The noises typically go away after the X warms up.

However
Starting 2 days ago, whenever the idle increases I get this horrendously loud, embarrasing grinding/whining noise. The more rpm's the louder the grind/whine. If I'm in park and I rev it up, it still insists on screaming

What is this? Front diff, T-Case...

I have video that I took on my blackberry but I can't upload .3gp files on here. Anyone know how to convert a .3gp?

Sound like belt tensioners .

Rev it in nuetral and see if the sound is there. Could be torque converter or front diff. Keep us posted

I rev'd in park last night and it whined unbelievably loud. It was driving fine with no change from 8 months ago when I bought it.

I wish I could post the audio clip but the file extension is invalid on this site.

SO
on my way to work this morning, the noise was even worse. Anyway, I drive pretty much all of rte. 8 in CT everyday for work. I got down to Derby and I pulled over because it started to slip/stutter when I gave it gas. So I had it towed to BMW of Watertown.

Diagnosis
Tranny is toasted. He said torque converter is seized. They checked the fluid and found it to be very burnt and contain a ton of metal shavings. Also said they hear a loud noise coming from directly under the tranny.
Quote
$8,516.92 for rebuilt tranny installed

The thing is, I have had absolutely no problems what so ever in any way with shifting until yesterday. I have read about a rough downshift problem on here before, but I never had it until 30 minutes before I had to pull over. Whats up with that?

Where is the best place to get a tranny?

If you hadn't kept driving it w/ those terrible noises, the bill may not have been as bad. Why would you do that, then wait till it breaks completely before finally taking it to the shop? I've never understood this misconception that maybe if we keep driving while its making teribble noises, that things won't get worse. Try Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market or Bavarian Parts Recyclers (forgot their address, look on e38.org BMW 7-series information and links) for a used tranny, maybe one w/ a warranty. Just my .02...if its making any noises other than normal, stop driving immediately.

thanks for the links. the drivability was fine until a few minutes before this slippage stuff occured.

Also, I never got any of these "trans fail safe" codes that I see getting mentioned on other threads. No lights at all, even today after I pulled over. No power loss either, just a whiny grinding that eventually led to some slippage, which is when I decided to pull over. I just started forcing myself to turn the music up because I would keep catching myself driving with the radio and fan off, listening for noises.

One thing I can think of is that my right front axle seal was leaking before. I replaced it but yesterday when pulling out of my parking spot I noticed a spot on the ground, where it would have leaked down to. I thought nothing of because its a parking garage and the ground is a mess from all the cars in there.

Could it possibly be that I need an front right axle since no tranny lights came on? When replacing the seal, it looked like something was replaced before I bought it. It was very clean and new looking compared to the left side.

Can anyone give me some diagnosis advice because I'm getting it towed home to look at it myself?

Its your tranny, trust me. Check out my post. I have a video with sound, is that the same sound?

http://www.Xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ercharger.html

Start looking for a a shop that does tranny rebuilds as it is going to be much cheaper that what the dealer is offering.

It sucks, I know. :(

That sounds almost identical to my video. Man does that suck. Fine on Saturday, toasted on Tuesday.

If I buy a used tranny from someone in that link that m5James posted before, does that come with the torque converter?? Transmissions are a little beyond my mechanical skills I think.

Not sure if the converter is coming with these or not. I would rebuild vs. buying a used one.

Thanks Hit Redline, much appreciated!

Anyone from CT recommend a shop for me. Anywhere in Litchfield/Fairfield County.