Check the solenoid while you have the pan off.

Here's a thread in which the slow to engage after the car had sat in the cold was fix by replacing the TCC solenoid.

E46Fanatics - View Single Post - DIY: Replacing TCC Solenoid on GM 5L40E (A5S 360R/ A5S 390R) - Fix GM No Reverse!

Well documented issue on GM 5 speed AT

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...on-d-mode.html

So there is another issue other than the oil filter O-ring problem? From that article:

"In its response to ODI, BMW stated that the transmission engagement
delay after shifting from Park to Drive, or from Reverse to Drive, is
caused by an internal transmission fluid leak of the main drive clutch
(C1 clutch) between the molded piston outer seal and the main drive
clutch housing. The C1 clutch provides input torque to the
transmission's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. If the C1 clutch's torque-
carrying capacity is interrupted, then forward drive gear engagement is
delayed. The problem is more prevalent in colder weather, and usually
occurs during a ``cold start'' such as after the vehicle has been
parked with the engine off overnight."

Are they two separate problems that can cause the same symptom? Also, just so I can start saving for the doomsday option, what is a fair price for an indy to swap out the tranny with a rebuilt?

Thanks again guys!!

I have this problem as well not all the time but once and a while like you were saying when its parked for a while. Ive had this problem since I bought the car with 44k i now have 200k its been doing it the whole time Ive done fluid flush etc.

My generic response:

Tier 0 - Livable Manufacturing Defects -
Well documented customer complaints
and BMW DID acknowledged
* This is where the article fits

Tier 1 - Enthusiast discovered new manufacturing defects
including wear and tear component - BMW did NOT acknowledged

Tier 2 - Indy or Owner DIY Repair (including re-programming) / Maintenance introduced defects
(O.E. vs OEM vs Aftermarket),



To me the Fluid and Filter (including o-ring) quality/ brand is somewhere in between Tier 1 and 2.