there you go , wally has it , thrash yer X5 . good call man .

yeah, somewhat agree with that statement. i do stomp on it from time to time but it doesn't see WOT that often. we have different transmissions and through my research the 6spd versions seem to have the majority of the issues at lower mileages.

still curious if anybody knows of a bay area ZF rebuilder?

You also have the 3.0 which has a different transmission. Its the ZF in the V8's that all take a shit.

Its your torque converter as I just dealt with this issue myself. See post 24 in this thread for my story to conclude this as the issue.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-tranny-3.html

Well I really appreciate you helping out, but in the link that you posted brought up a few things that we need to discuss.

1) the whiny sound you talked about, I have that now and again but not too often. I always thought it the engine fan tho.

Can you discribe in detail?

2) Do you feel your symptoms were exactly lke ours?

3) how much did the torque converter cost to put in?

4) Did you ever notice at slight speed variation at like high way speeds?


Thank you for your time to explain this, it's very important!!!!

Redline, I'm not sure we have the same symptoms. I don't have any whining noise and the car is certainly not down on power. In addition, you referenced in post #24 that you had Dinan software and I do not have that. I'm convinced it's either a valve body or module that is causing this issue. Whatever the cause, the transmission will most likely have to be rebuilt or replaced.

My issue was at speeds 35-40 would get a harmonic noise of rotating grinding type noise on flat road, but on slight uphill grade would begin to jerk until I applied more gas. Also felt like the motor was missing, but I had changed the plugs and the week before this started I had replaced all the ignition coils. Also felt like it was generated in the middle of the car.

1) This last issue I had no whining noise. Here is the link to my transmission issue with a video of the sound.

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

Second time the converter failed the whining noise was only in 1st and 2nd and gradually got worse.
Third time started getting the jerk 2 weeks later.

2) My last issue seemed very similar as I posted above.

3) I had the tranny rebuilt along with the converter for $3,300. The last two times have been warranty work so no cost. Shop says its $300 to rebuild converter but this doesn't include R&R.

4) Not sure what you mean here, but if I was traveling an upgrade jerking would happen if I was light on the throttle, normal driving.

As far as a lose of power in my case it is minimal and gradual. Became very evident when the converter was replaced.

Hope this helps.

When I referenced the Dinan software as being part of the issue I meant that it accelerates the wear on the torque converter. Could be the valve body or module I guess, just stating the issue seems similar and what was the cause in my case.