If you don't have a repair estimate how do you know it will cost thousands to fix?

Nope, ATF expands with heat and if you check the level when the engine is at normal operating temp the ATF would have expanded. Temp should be between 30C - 50C.

From a BMW Bulletin:

Notes on fluid level checking and adding transmission oil:

• All lifetime use oils (Shell LA 2634, Esso ATF LT 71141, Texaco
ETL 7045, Texaco ETL 8072 B) are to be collected in a clean
container and reused. This may not apply to our X since this was written for an E34.

• It is preferred to check the transmission fluid level at 30°C, this way
the transmission will hold extra oil versus topping off at 50°C.

• If the transmission temperature rises above 50°C during the fluid level
checking procedure, the resulting oil level will be too low.

• Have necessary equipment, oil pump and transmission fluid available
before starting the fluid level checking procedure

30C is approx 86F so the engine is not hot (hell the temp today was +30C). The ATF in the pan may have cooled down if the engine has been running for any length of time, but the ATF in the Torque is still hot because it is surrounded by the trans and the back of the engine so there is no way to cool that fluid down to 86F not unless you let the car sit over night and start with a COLD engine.

wow great to know! I am going to change the fluid and the filter so I will make sure to fill it before it heats up. I will report back with my results.

Have a 2001 X5 4.4i myself. Fluid should be checked at a specified range (warm, not super hot) and the engine running or it will be low and giving symptoms like you described.

Here is the brief version of the procedure from a book. Scares me to work under a running vehicle. Not for the inexperienced or faint of heart.

1. Drive vehicle to warm ATF
2. Use scan tool to measure ATF temperature (or improvise...)
3. Switch on AC to increase idle speed
4. Apply parking brake
5. With foot on brake, move gear selector through all gears, pausing briefly
6. Raise and support vehicle
7. With engine running and in Park and ATF temperature between 30C and 50 C (85F to 120F), remove fill plug. 30C is best.
8. Level is correct with a small stream coming out of fill hole
9. If no fluid runs out, add some
10. Don't mix different types of ATF. Use correct ATF for your tranny.
11. Install new fill plug with new sealing ring.

:iagree:

I have a 02' that has had transmission problems I went to Aamco and still had hard jerks in 2nd gear. And they forgot to put one of the bolts back on the flex plate and sway bar mount which created a knocking sound which took a while to diagnose. Turns out it was the sway bar was hitting the inside wheel well making the noise. I still have hard shifts but I am leaning more towards a transfer case gear issue now, I am going to send the transfer case in to get refurbished and see if that fixes my problem. Love my X5 198k.

There is a bearing that worn out and also an oring that need to be replaced due to the failing bearing. It's a typical known problem on the 5hp24 transmission. Check the forum on this topic. A lot of info on this with pics . I had the same problem on one of mine.

Link? I cant seem to find anything about it..

See my reply on another link and a link to the repair link

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...elp-4-6is.html

I suggest taking your X to a well recommended independent shop familiar with BMW transmissions to check the OBC for error codes and diagnosis the transmission. I would not have the transfer case rebuilt until the transmission has been completely eliminated as the problem by someone other than Aamco.
What did Aamco do to your transmission?