another transmission thread
 

Hi All,

During cold starts, my transmission would shift from 1st gear to 2nd really harsh and ONLY once during each startup. If I warm up the car for at least 5-10 minutes, then there is no harshness. What gives? Thanks.

When was the fluid last replaced? How many miles on the present fluid? We'll start there. ...Kim

I have a 2004 4.8is and I'm experiencing almost the same problem. Harsh shift from 1st to 2nd when cold. At least that's when I notice it most. I'm new to BMW being as though this is my 1st one so I'm learning as I go. Not trying to thread jack but I'm very interested in what this could be as well. I'm not sure what type of fluid I'm running as I haven't had the vehicle long. It has 44k miles so I assume the original trans fluid.

Would be interesting to know if there was a fault code for the transmission. The transmission will point to the temperature sensor (in the transmission) if it has an issue. It's a bit tedious to do, but getting a sample of the fluid would be nice. You don't need much at all. Just a visual inspection. If the fluid is black, time to change it. At 44k it should not be, but you never know how the other person drove it. At 44k your transmission is young. Look at my other posts to see what I did with my transmission.

Thanks! I'm going to try that. The truck is not throwing any codes at this time. Do you recommend a specific trans fluid besides factoy BMW stuff?

There's the factory or Shell ATF M-1375.4.
Looks like the Shell was developed for this, and the BMW fluid is probably made by Shell.

Thanks!! I'll be sure to read ur other posts on this topic as well.

My car has 67K and the fluid seems fresh. Reddish and clear. The maintanance of the car was done under BMW's program, so I am not sure exact when it was done.

this can be caused If the fluid level is low. Check the fluid level and condition first.

I wonder about fluid level. I'll relate my personal experience. BMW says for the fluid to be running out the hole. I had my X5 jacked up, making the passenger side higher - where the hole is located. I got extra fluid in it. I took a chance to see what it would do. It has run fine.