need advise, 2008 X5 trany problem

hello,

Just bought a used 2008 X5 3.0si 65,000mi from a used car lot. I have been driving it for a week and everything was fine until I took it for a 2 hr ride on the highway. I was accelerating (not aggressively) and the transmission down shifted abruptly and an error message on the screen telling me "transmission malfunction, reduced acceleration, go to nearest BMW service center". I shut the car off to clear it and attempted to drive back home, 10 mins later it happened again.

X5 is now at a transmission shop provided by the used car company I bought it from. He can't
find error codes, and has been driving to see if the problem will show again.

Does anybody have an idea to what this might be? Has anybody experienced this in their early e70 X5?

Thanks

I'm by no means an expert so take this for what it's worth...

Anyone who works on BMW's should be able to retrieve any fault codes/warnings that the car has "barked" at you. If the transmission shop can't retrieve these then I'd have it taken to the stealership if there's no indy around you.

Originally Posted by Yellowm3

I'm by no means an expert so take this for what it's worth...

Anyone who works on BMW's should be able to retrieve any fault codes/warnings that the car has "barked" at you. If the transmission shop can't retrieve these then I'd have it taken to the stealership if there's no indy around you.

Yeah That's what I thought. There should be a code! I'm thinking the used car dealer just doesn't want to pay.

Originally Posted by Brando7

Yeah That's what I thought. There should be a code! I'm thinking the used car dealer just doesn't want to pay.

There will be a code, but they need a system that has BMW-specific software. A standard OBD reader will NOT suffice.

If at all possible, I would get out from under that car.... the odds of this becoming a BIG situation are large. Even if this costs you $500, I'd get out.

Originally Posted by ard

There will be a code, but they need a system that has BMW-specific software. A standard OBD reader will NOT suffice.

If at all possible, I would get out from under that car.... the odds of this becoming a BIG situation are large. Even if this costs you $500, I'd get out.

What information are you basing this on? Have you or any others encountered problems like this.

The mechanic is now going to test each gear with a reader. If that does't fix it he will reflash the cpu software.

I am basing that on my meager knowledge of BMWs. The car should not go into failsafe mode for 'no reason'...there will be a fault code.

Dollars to donuts he will reset it and give it back to you. Try and get you to keep it until the dealer can blow you off. Dealer is paying this guy, right? Probably the shop that does all the work for the used car lot?

I'd bring it to a BMW dealer, spend the $$$ and get a real diagnosis: if the BMW dealer says "car is fine, we cant explain it", then you are as good as you can get. But if the BMW dealer sees issues, NOW is the time to press your case.

Penny wise, pound foolish?

GL

Originally Posted by ard

I am basing that on my meager knowledge of BMWs. The car should not go into failsafe mode for 'no reason'...there will be a fault code.

Dollars to donuts he will reset it and give it back to you. Try and get you to keep it until the dealer can blow you off. Dealer is paying this guy, right? Probably the shop that does all the work for the used car lot?

I'd bring it to a BMW dealer, spend the $$$ and get a real diagnosis: if the BMW dealer says "car is fine, we cant explain it", then you are as good as you can get. But if the BMW dealer sees issues, NOW is the time to press your case.

Penny wise, pound foolish?

GL

Good point. also if cpu is reset will that clear all fault codes?

thanks for you input

Originally Posted by Brando7

Good point. also if cpu is reset will that clear all fault codes?

thanks for you input

"reset" isn't a complete description. A power down, reset all adaptive values, etc, should not erase the historical fault code reporting. But I am not sure. I dont have any experience with E70s, just older E39s. I guess there may be a way to 'reset the cpu' such that you lose the info.

The challenge for you, IMO, is to quickly figure out if you were sold a car with an existing (and perhaps known) defect... I would not be allowing the 'team' that possibly patched this up and sold it to you, to mess with it and maybe slip it back to you.

Perhaps this dealer had a tranny fault, took it to the mechanic, and the mechanic 'fixed' it and gave it to the dealer with "Its ready to sell". Now, two weeks, and the same fault. Dealer is telling the mechanic "you need to figure this out, you told me it was fine".....

I'm wildly speculating here, but as long as you are bringing it to the dealers' mechanic, assume everything he says is...well... lets say 'maybe not the whole truth".


Also, you bought this 'as is' right? Why ARE they helping out?? Just a solid, ethical used car lot?? I am so damn jaded.....


A

Originally Posted by ard

"reset" isn't a complete description. A power down, reset all adaptive values, etc, should not erase the historical fault code reporting. But I am not sure. I dont have any experience with E70s, just older E39s. I guess there may be a way to 'reset the cpu' such that you lose the info.

The challenge for you, IMO, is to quickly figure out if you were sold a car with an existing (and perhaps known) defect... I would not be allowing the 'team' that possibly patched this up and sold it to you, to mess with it and maybe slip it back to you.

Perhaps this dealer had a tranny fault, took it to the mechanic, and the mechanic 'fixed' it and gave it to the dealer with "Its ready to sell". Now, two weeks, and the same fault. Dealer is telling the mechanic "you need to figure this out, you told me it was fine".....

I'm wildly speculating here, but as long as you are bringing it to the dealers' mechanic, assume everything he says is...well... lets say 'maybe not the whole truth".


Also, you bought this 'as is' right? Why ARE they helping out?? Just a solid, ethical used car lot?? I am so damn jaded.....


A

The Mechanic is not part of the used car dealer, but I'm sure they're friends. Bought the car with 2500mi or 60 day warranty. they are paying for everything. If the problem persists they will buy back the car.

I am really frustrated with BMW right now, I'm thinking the only good BMW's are manual trans.

Originally Posted by Brando7

I'm thinking the only good BMW's are manual trans.

FWIW, that is the opinion of Mike Miller, the BMW CCA Roundel magazine Technical editor.

Originally Posted by Brando7

The Mechanic is not part of the used car dealer, but I'm sure they're friends. Bought the car with 2500mi or 60 day warranty. they are paying for everything. If the problem persists they will buy back the car.

I am really frustrated with BMW right now, I'm thinking the only good BMW's are manual trans.

You bought a used car with a bad transmission and you are 'frustrated with BMW'?!??!

Originally Posted by ard

You bought a used car with a bad transmission and you are 'frustrated with BMW'?!??!

BAHZINGA !!!!

Originally Posted by Brando7

. If the problem persists they will buy back the car.
.

just another thought: my fear would be that they mess with it enough to make it work OK for 60 days or 2500 miles, and THEN you will be SOL.

Here's a potential conversation:

Mechanic: "This thing really needs a remanned tranny, going to cost $8000.
Dealer: "Can we just buy a filter kit, you drop the valve body, give it a cleaning and fresh fluid and lets see if we can get it going for a while- I'll pay you 4 hours of labor, plus parts- lets say $800"
\Mechanic: "sure, your call"


OP- GL

A

Update

The Mechanic was finally able to get error codes. They kept driving it until the malfunction happened and immediately read codes. They said it was transmission electrodes and a valve of something.

The dealership also paid for a nice suv rental for the week. They also are going to start another 60 days warranty when the X5 is ready, mileage is unlimited. So I'm pleased with the dealership.

I realize that it is a used car and problems are to be expected to a point. I just thought the trany and it's components would have lasted a little longer than 65k mi.

Originally Posted by Brando7

I realize that it is a used car and problems are to be expected to a point. I just thought the trany and it's components would have lasted a little longer than 65k mi.

Things break...that's why warranties exist.

Originally Posted by Brando7

They said it was transmission electrodes and a valve of something.

Well, there ya go. With such precise and definitive diagnoses, you'll be good to go.

Lets hope you arent back here in 61 days.

A

Originally Posted by ard

Well, there ya go. With such precise and definitive diagnoses, you'll be good to go.

Lets hope you arent back here in 61 days.

A

Bah-Bah.............. Bahzinga................

I can do this all night.....

Originally Posted by sunny5280

Things break...that's why warranties exist.

Yeah, but on BMW's "things" that shouldn't break seem to be breaking an awful lot sooner and more often lately.

How has this thread lasted for so long without some reference to the other "tranny?"

Originally Posted by clinkinfo

Yeah, but on BMW's "things" that shouldn't break seem to be breaking an awful lot sooner and more often lately.

I fully admit BMW does not have the reliability of Honda or Toyota. I can also say I'm sure there are examples where the latter two have had problems around 61K miles. Including transmissions.

As Ard alluded to I don't have a lot of confidence in the mechanics diagnosis. What is a "transmission electrode"? I've never heard of such a thing. Hopefully, for the OPs sake, there's a communication issue between them. I'd hate to think the mechanic actually said "transmission electrode" (but then I'm not a transmission specialist so maybe there is such a thing).

Originally Posted by clinkinfo

Yeah, but on BMW's "things" that shouldn't break seem to be breaking an awful lot sooner and more often lately.

And there are plenty of examples of BMWs with high mileage and no transmission problems also. I've replaced a transmission in a Suburban with less than 75K miles on it so yes, stuff breaks.

Another update:

It wasn't the electrodes apparently. The used dealer gave up and sent it to the stealership. They said it was low transmission fluid...they replaced the fluid and the problem still persists. So the car is getting a new transmission and a 2 year warranty all covered by the dealer.

Should I dump the car or take my chances with the repair and warranty?

Are you communicating directly with the BMW dealership??????? You own the car, the used car lot has no 'legal standing' to permit work to be done or even to have the car touched by the dealership. (They may not even know this, they may think it still belongs to the lot...)

I'd make sure they are doing a full and complete job- new trans, new torque converter, etc. With a written warranty (ie Work Order) IN YOUR NAME.

I'd be OK with an all new BMW remanned tranny with the two year BMW-backed warranty.

You're lucky

A

Originally Posted by ard

Are you communicating directly with the BMW dealership??????? You own the car, the used car lot has no 'legal standing' to permit work to be done or even to have the car touched by the dealership. (They may not even know this, they may think it still belongs to the lot...)

I'd make sure they are doing a full and complete job- new trans, new torque converter, etc. With a written warranty (ie Work Order) IN YOUR NAME.

I'd be OK with an all new BMW remanned tranny with the two year BMW-backed warranty.

You're lucky

A

Yes I've talked with the BMW dealership. The contract states that the used lot is required to fix the vehicle, actually BMW told me they didn't even need to talk to me...go figure. I don't know the legal aspect of this, but I think it is all under the lemon law.

Yeah good idea, don't want a salvaged trany or refurbished. I don't know yet who is doing the install, I hope BMW.

Originally Posted by Brando7

Yes I've talked with the BMW dealership. The contract states that the used lot is required to fix the vehicle, actually BMW told me they didn't even need to talk to me...go figure. I don't know the legal aspect of this, but I think it is all under the lemon law.

Yeah good idea, don't want a salvaged trany or refurbished. I don't know yet who is doing the install, I hope BMW.

Full stop.

Id give them the car back ASAP.

There is ZERO chance I would accept anything other that a BMW remanned and BMW install...IN MY NAME.

"Hope"?!??! OMG.