Outer CV boots aren't related to removing the front driveshaft except for putting the vehicle up in the air. $500 sounds high. $200-300 seems like the range I would expect to hear.

I'm impressed at how big the service advisor's balls are; let's quote this guy $8000 for a rebuilt transmission, then how about we throw another $8000 on the quote for stuff that wasn't asked about.

The BMW dealer that did the transmission work will not take my calls or return the voicemails and emails I have sent them. I will be taking that up with BMW of America as soon as I figure out how.

I dropped it off at the tranmission shop this morning and hope to get pics when it is torn down and we find out what is wrong. That way I can try to help some others out as well that are having the same issues. May know today but not holding my breath.

UPDATE:

1. The shop first checked the fluid and it was about a quart low. He topped it off and I drove it home. It drove great until the tranny heated up and then started slipping again.

2. Shop was able to start tearing it down and there were no computer/electrical issues that could be found.

3. Shop is tearing it down today to see internals. They just completed the same transmission in a Cadillac. Seems they are used in many vehicles. Good news is they will know what they are doing. One of the best in town, so good, that you have to wait just to get them to look at it.

So 6 months and 1 week later I have driven her a total of about 100 to 200 miles maybe. It will be like driving a new car when I ger her back.

I will keep the updates coming and hopefully I will have photos of what is busted for others to see.

Shawn

Good luck.

Be sure to ask the shop if the transmission has been leaking. It should not have been a quart low unless it was leaking or never filled properly.

absolutely... if it was under filled by the dealer and not leaking, they owe you a new trans!

no doubt about it

Some confusion here with the GM 5L40-E transmission. You have the ZF 5HP24 transmission, which was never used by Cadillac.

Phil

I dont use BMW dealers for anything but parts. Hope you get it sorted out, sound like it is something manageable.

My X5 has 189,000 miles on it, Ive done the TCGs on it, as far as the transmission goes, I just change the fluid about every 50k.

Shop did call me back and it was not the transmission stated above so RRPhil is correct.

Talked to the shop today and it appears they put in a used transmission and did not tell me when I inquired about it being under warranty when I bought the car. Imagine that.

Looks like it has some burnt disc and one of the needle bearings decided to fall apart. He said it was one located further back in the transmission. I am going by to look at it and get pictures. Shop is trying to locate parts to let me know what the damage will be.

Any suggestions on where to get good parts? He has read a couple threads I printed out to become more familiar with the issues.

While that transmission is out, I'd have the splines on the front driveshaft and transfer case inspected too.

2002 X5 3.0 252,000 miles
2004 325i 112,800 miles

Well it is "supposed" to have a new drive shaft and transfer case that was also replaced in 2012 according to the car fax and the dealer in TX that I spoke to before buying the car....but I am going to have the shop check it all out regardless.