Giving up the Fight
 

Hi Brave hearts - I'm dumping my Maroon 2001 E53 4.4i automatic. Has 81K. Yesterday the tranny gave out while I was doing 60mph on the highway. Quit as if I'd put it in neutral no warning. No message, No "Transfailsafe" message either.
Aamco says $800 to diagnose, Rebuilts are 4k-6K.
I'm not brave enough to try rebuilding myself like some of you daring souls. and cannot throw away any more $.

My heartfelt wishes to all you brave souls.

I had to choose between domestic peace and X5. And the former won. Never again.

If interested reach me, its in Fairfax, VA.
Complete coolant system overhaul 300~ miles. New Radiator, hoses, fan, pump, clutch, thermostat, coolant reservoir.
New Arnot air suspensions, New tyres - 200 miles on them, new battery, new HVAC panel, new door lock, door handle, window regulators. ultra clean.

What about buying a used trans and changing all the fluids before install ? I've seen them go for as low as $500 on craigslist and pretty decent prices on eBay. Just a suggestion. Good luck.

Your sure its the tranny? The axle shaft or driveshaft can disengage and strip the spindle.

I reckon its worth the money to at least diagnose it. You might get lucky and find it's a cheap fix, although it's unlikely.

At the very least, however, any potential buyer is going to do their homework on the worst case scenario (ie. new trans) and take that off the market value price unless you can give them an idea of what its going to cost to fix a diagnosed problem.

:iagree: Before throwing in the towel I would have a mechanic look at it.

Sounds a little like the splines on the front driveshaft let go. Would feel like the engine is disconnected from the wheels. I'm in Rockville if you haven't completely made up your mind and want to take a look. Think my wife would kill me if I bought another project car right now...though it is tempting

Guys, honestly, I don't know. Thanks for your encouragement. I'm tempted by your suggestions to have the shop open it up and take a look. I'm a decent handy man but a transmission ...
David, if you are game I don't mind learning how the darn thing works, let me know. There's not much more to lose.

I'm game. Probably have time after work on Friday or this weekend. PM me and we can work out details. Can it be moved at all now?

my list would be:
Check for codes
Visual inspect for tranny fluid leaks and broken/disconnected parts
Check out the 4 drive shafts and 2 axles.
Check fluid level in the tranny
Drop the trans pan and look for debris

A friend of mine has a BMW Indy shop in Alex right near Van Dorn and 95/495. Are you close? A quick diagnostics will provide a baseline of info.

Gary Martin- Owner
Martin Motors Sports (703) 823-9735
460a S Pickett St
Alexandria, VA 22304-4706

I am in Arlington and could help also dive into to the issue.

If it's not the driveshaft spline and the trans didn't puke out all the ATF I wouldn't bother with opening it up, if you don't plan on rebuilding or installing another trans in it place. It would be easier to sell a X with a busted trans then a X with a busted trans that is all taken apart.

I had the Trans oil changed about 500 miles. No leaks. No visibly broken parts.
Before this happened, everytime I took a right turn from a stop sign, I would get a thud. I experienced a similar thud with a GMC Yukon when the 4x4 was engaged and I assumed it was the same. If a took a wider right turn the thud never happened.
Yesterday, when coasting, the engine Reved upto 4000, grinding noise and the x5 behaved as if it was thrown into neutral. Now, I can move the shifter through all settings N, R, D and P. When I put it in D or R, I get a grinding noise as if something is spinning.
I'm 25 miles from Alexandria near Dulles Airport. The X needs to be towed as the trans does not engage what so ever.

That DEFINITELY sounds more like the drive shaft/splines issue others noted above. I wouldn't walk away from this vehicle yet.

+1 on front drive shaft spline after hearing this

When its in D or R are you getting noise when it is not moving or just when you try to move? And when its in P did you notice the car might roll ?

The steps I took. Put in park, start engine. Shift to D, whirring/grinding noise, no movement. Shift to R, same noise. Shift to D, give it gas, no movement, whirring noise increased. Tried +/- no change. Checked codes with ELM bluetooth OBDII reader and Torque, there are no error codes. Dashboard does not show any codes either. Power off, waited 10 mins, tried again. Same results.
It’s rolling, and when it failed on the highway, I put it in neutral and rolled to a stop.

Following your suggestions on the Drive shaft, I searched on the web. I found others with the same symptoms finally replacing the drive shaft and/or transfer case.

Question guys. Is the driveshaft transfer case, the same as the entire transmission or is it a separate component. AAMCO said its the tranny and they would have to open it up. Are they right?

transfer case is a separate component. I wouldn't be using Aamco if they don't know where the transfer case/driveshaft is

There's a shop called RRT in Dulles, VA that does good work. They're very smart on BMWs and race cars in general. I've gone there a couple times and been happy with their work. website: RRT :: Performance, Tuning & Maintenance
I live in Herndon and would also be happy to lend a hand/tools if wanted.

Since it won't move I assume the diagnosis the transmission is gone before the $800 diagnosis they quoted they would be happy to do was over the phone. That's a shot in the dark in the case of the X5. I suggest you get a flatbed wrecker and have it hauled to a well recommended BMW Indy shop before declaring defeat. Sounds like there are some suggestions as to where that might be in your area.

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.

You won't find a lot of encouraging news here as the vast majority of threads are about finding solutions to problems. That's as it should be.

Even though I work at maintaining a realistic perspective I frequently catch myself compromising my driving pleasure because I have begun to feel like all the bad stuff I read here is going to happen to me. It's easy to start thinking you are about to die if you read the obituaries every day. You are not like everyone else and neither is your X5. My point is to do the appropriate maintenance and don't worry about it.

This site is like Web MD for X5 owners. "OHMYGOD IS THAT THE SPLINESTRANSMISSIONAIRSUSPENSIONCAMBERWHEELSCVBOOT S GOING OUT ON ME? I'M CURSED!" We're a bunch of auto hypochondriacs.

I've been through it. I bought mine in July. I've already dropped over $4k in repairs, but it's evening out and now I'm able to enjoy it.

Prepare to drop some coin on it. Always keep some space on a credit card for emergencies. If you can't afford to do that, perhaps you should look into something different.

After the initial shock, I wouldn't bail out now for anything. Except maybe if my transmission goes out. But hey, when you've just dropped $4K on a car you just bought, $500 here and there doesn't feel as bad. Or does it? Enjoy every moment when it's running right and it makes the repairs more tolerable.

As I said--maintain perspective.

Lol, you all are correct, and damn I love this vehicle!

I have a habit of learning what might go wrong, so if/when it does go wrong I have somewhat of an idea where to start looking, etc.

I've never been what you could consider a car guy until I drove my 4.8is for the first time. I was hooked. So I bought it and started looking here at common problems. Then I actually had a major problem (transfer case gone bad) a month after I bought it. In that situation when I was going through it trying to find the problem and all possible solutions kept getting more and more expensive, I felt a pit in my stomach.

But now I'm through it. I have gotten past that paranoia. Now I just enjoy driving the X and I have a new attitude toward my vehicle. Getting through that first issue put me in a better frame of mind. Stick with it, it's worth it. :)

DIY....Can you take pictures when they take it apart. If its the drive shaft I want to see what side and were it is....would help all us out.

Just a FYI....The trans usually doesn't just stop like that. I hope it's just a drive shaft.

I would like to see the part price and if you have to do both sides or does one side just fail?

Wish you luck but please update and document what you find please. If you can report the symptom too in your finds that's helps also and how far you drove after hearing the noise.

A mustang with arthritis. That's what it feels.
You guys are right, its a beautiful ride when it works ... for 5 miles. I was infatuated with the X5. I love fixing things and improving bad ign. What I find in the X is an enormous compromise in quality.
in my case I'm positive Murphys law is in full force :).

..Back to my problem, thanks to AAA I took the chance to confirm your diagnosis.
I took it to County transmission, Vienna.
AND, All of you are on the Dot. You are true X5-engineers.
County Trans confirmed it's the drive shaft. They said I need to change both shafts and the transfer case cost $3850/- .
Good at least I have a confirmed diagnosis. Now, waiting for this snow and sleet to clear so I can start taking it apart. I will take photos and document.
Any tips on how and where to start are welcome.

Which drive shafts are you replacing? The one from the transfer case to the front differential or the one from the trans to the rear differential? Or are you doing the driveshafts from the front diff to the two front wheels?

You shouldn't need to replace the transfer case, you should just be able to get the shaft that's about 1" longer than the stock shaft, which will grab the transfer case further in where everything is fine, since it hasn't been touched.

If he stripped the output shaft in the case due to the driveshaft letting go he doesnt need a fully new case but should rebuild some components in it.

The rear driveshaft attaches with a flex guibo. No need to touch it unless there was a separate fault there.

Having recently crack a transfer case, the output piece is isolated from the main part of the case. Unless something really bad happened, spline debris should be localized to the hollow part of the transfer case front output.

The people at Cobra a Transmission said they will not warranty their new shaft unless you also buy a new front output. If you are replacing the front output, you have to open the case and I would replace the chain and three main seals, too.

(Edited on 1/26/2015) Several sources for front driveshafts for the E53 X5.

You can buy the OEM shafts still(Part 26207508629 fits mine, confirm your model) lists now for $990 and can be found from online sources such as BMW Morristown for $708 but that still comes with short splines. You can also find used OEM shafts from wreckers (car-parts.com) for $150-$250 but those also have short splines.

Long splined sources:
1) Tom, [email protected], a member of this forum welds on a longer spline section and custom fits a new end to the driveshaft you send him. $525
2) Cobra Transmission sells all new units for $600. They also sell transfer case parts including a replacement female spline part for the front output of the NV125 tranfser case ($300 or so).

More iffy (to me) choices:

3) eBay seller rocketcoupe. Also seems to go by tcbmwx5. He sells shafts and the spline end you can have locally welded. He reported loosing a set of shafts in the mail around Christmas and cancelled my order with very short notice. He did refund my money and send me a weld end. Don't know what's happening now. About $165 plus $120 core.
4) eBay seller derwang. Something strange going on with tcbmwx5. No idea what is what. About $200.
5) eBay seller decom2011 - ships from Russia. $204 including 3-5 week shipping. $40 extra for fast shipping. Pictures look good. Don't know anything more.
6) Buy stub from one of guys above ($75-$85) and have it locally welded ($90-$160) if you can find a shop willing and capable. The first few shops I called insisted all BMW's need dealer only drive shafts and wouldn't even discuss.

Sounds like just using oem is faster and easier. Looks like you got 145k miles on your set- not bad I guess....

I wouldn't say that. Tom's and the cobra transmission front drive shaft seem reputable and have the longer splines. If you had the transfer case strip out like this thread, you have to do more than just replace the front drive shaft with another with short splines - it won't have anything to spline in to... If you are replacing a working shaft as preventative maintenance, than an OEM one could be an option.

The dealers usually suggest whole new transfer cases along with new front driveshaft to avoid this issue (nothing for the new shaft to catch on) which seems like overkill to me. If you really need the new internal transfer case parts, Cobra Transmission sells them (pre-xDrive which is the topic here) even what BMW does not supply.

Just received the drive shaft I sent to "The Driveshaft Shop" in North Carolina to weld and balance a longer spline. Here is what I received today.
$175 plus shipping both ways. I supplied the longer spline.

Keep me informed as to how it all goes back together for you. I am no expert by any means, but that looks like a rough weld to have shipped out. I am not trying to stir anything with my comment, will that interfere with reassembly at all?

Give yourself some expert points. (Sounds snarky, but meant as a compliment).

Ordered an all new shaft from Cobra today as I think I have run out of time and options.

Lol, hope it all works out soon. Working on ordering a new expansion tank... Fun never ends lol

to close this out. I've been in contact with the OP as he lived near me. He donated his X and didn't try to fix it.

My new Cobra Trans. front drive shaft will be going in this weekend in my X.

Good luck with everything.

On my 2001 3.0, about 20 months before I bought it last year, it was making clunking noises on acceleration. The PO had the dealer replace the transfer case (27-10-7-504-568) and transmission mount (22-31-6-754-088) for around $4000, but no change in driveshaft. It fixed the problem, but there was no specific diagnosis on what part of the transfer case failed. I don't know what the splines look like on the driveshaft.

I went in to that dealer recently and asked about this, and whether they considered an extended-spline driveshaft (since in all the other receipts it seems they were not shy about loading on extra repairs when they were doing one major one). Not surprisingly, neither the service advisor nor the parts counter people had any idea what I was talking about. They did have good free coffee though.

And as far as I know, BMW does not sell extended-spline driveshafts.

So does BMW not acknowledge this as a problem? Should I be concerned at all with the original shaft I have in there, and should I consider a pre-emptive spline extension repair to avoid future transfer case problems?

BMW does not seem to acknowledge the problem, but since there are at least 5 vendors selling some sort of extended spline driveshaft, it seems like a widespread problem.

I decided to replace mine when the noise started rather than wait. Getting stranded is no fun and can be dangerous. It's pretty easy to remove it and inspect the splines (undo the 6 bolts on the front guibo and slide the shaft out). Mine looked like they were about half sheared off. Perhaps seeing the condition will help you decide one way or the other.

Did the OP ever report back on the issue? Was it the drive shaft?

Post 37. A local shop confirmed front driveshaft but also seemed to say he would need TC work also.