Sounds a spline issue. Got it replaced with an upgraded version and call it a day. Parts is only hundreds, if not taken labor into account. I won't walk away from a car has NEW tires, NEW fluids everywhere. It's a keeper.

ESPECIALLY AND X5 WITH NEW TYRES!!!! MEGA BUCKS

Any development?Got interested reading it.Yes,do not give up yet.If the repair is too expensive,just buy another car but for now I do not think it is the time yet.

definitly the splines.....it takes 30 min to swap one out and you dont even have to remove the transfer case

1) unbolt the front shaft and inspect damages. use a flash light and check the splines on the transfer case side *female input* the 1st inch should feel or look like their rounded but you still got another 1-2 inches of brand new splines in there.

2) you need this: BMW X5 - NV125 Drive Line Shaft [NV125DLS-EXT] - $601.99 : , Cobra Transmission

3) all you have to do is loosen the bolts that hold the transfer case to tranny then loosen the crossmember

4) by doing that you can now grease the splines and slide the new shaft in and bolt it back up then tighten things back down.

5) there was also a member here who made the shafts but i have not seen him on here in a while...

its worth saving it even if the shaft lasts let say 1yr-2yrs before it goes out again....


PS: it could also be your right front axle too......my axle popped out from the front diff and my X did the same thing..it didnt move in D or R and had the grinding noises....after that repair 3yrs later the drive shaft splines went.. so inspect your front left/right axles if you can especially since you said when you turned you had issues...

I also thought perhaps this, when he mentioned the thud around corners...

Don't take it to AAMOCO search for scam by AAMOCO on the internet.

As everybody else said it probably the driveshaft spline which is a known weakness with our SAV.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/...s-100_3393.jpg

***Fight or Flight? ***
Fight on, one more round..

Thanks guys, you've given me hope.

There's not much more to lose. If nothing I can contribute to the collective knowledge of you Diehards :).
I called RRT and another shop - County Transmissions, Inc in Vienna.
The County guys gave a more reasonable quote $130 to run diagnostics.

StephenVA, mfrek, DavidX5 - Thanks for offering to take a look guys.

I'm getting it towed back home and we can have some fun.

Hope you post the finding so that it will help future owners.

Yes, please post outcome and cost, as you have me nervous (along with other problem posts) and almost regretting buying my first BMW ( 2003 x5 with 67k miles)

That regret will only come when the cost to fix the X is more than what the X is worth. Then you will need to decide if it worth throwing more money down the money pit.