2007-2010 X3 Automatic Transmission Problem Master Thread!

I just went to the dealer for the transmission for the second time in 1 year. The first time, the trans. died on me. This time it was just jerky as usual. The problem was my warranty ends in 2600 miles. So, ofcourse, I didn't want to get stuck with a repair cost for the crapiest transmission ever put in a vehicle of any caliber. It didn't throw any codes, but, the dealer admitted the problem and put the latest download in it. I have to say, it is finally a transmission worthy of a 50k vehicle. No bucking, no hunting and smooth shifting. I might keep it now.

Originally Posted by HD4me

I just went to the dealer for the transmission for the second time in 1 year. The first time, the trans. died on me. This time it was just jerky as usual. The problem was my warranty ends in 2600 miles. So, ofcourse, I didn't want to get stuck with a repair cost for the crapiest transmission ever put in a vehicle of any caliber. It didn't throw any codes, but, the dealer admitted the problem and put the latest download in it. I have to say, it is finally a transmission worthy of a 50k vehicle. No bucking, no hunting and smooth shifting. I might keep it now.

Don't count on it. If you read the sticky it tends to resort to its old habit after several hundred miles. Make sure to pen a letter that they will be responsible for the transmission should it occur again.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Don't count on it. If you read the sticky it tends to resort to its old habit after several hundred miles. Make sure to pen a letter that they will be responsible for the transmission should it occur again.

Giving them a letter won't help IMHO, but won't hurt either I suppose. The 07+ X3 AT is just the type of vehicle to avoid all together. From the crapiest to the smooth shifting, and anything in between, according to what BMW and their dealers said, they are all normal. If they can fix it even for a little while, fine! If not, it's still normal, it's the characteristic. I don't think any one need any frustrations like this. I think you should consider selling it while it's good and before the warranty runs out.

Originally Posted by x3ml

Giving them a letter won't help IMHO, but won't hurt either I suppose. The 07+ X3 AT is just the type of vehicle to avoid all together. From the crapiest to the smooth shifting, and anything in between, according to what BMW and their dealers said, they are all normal. If they can fix it even for a little while, fine! If not, it's still normal, it's the characteristic. I don't think any one need any frustrations like this. I think you should consider selling it while it's good and before the warranty runs out.

And then you have X3's like mine with 45k miles since the last trans software upgrade. Still shifting pretty well!

This may've been covered in this thread, but I seem to remember that completely disabling DSC (holding the DSC button for a while) in the loaner X3 I had seemed to make the transmission work properly. Anyone try this?

I really wonder how BMW put such a crappy transmission in these X3s. So glad my E46 has a 6-speed manual

Wow... sooo... I guess the best thing I could do... on a 07' used X3 for sale at a local Toyota Car dealership... is not buy it?

Anyone have to replace their transmission due to this problem?
TBH, was kinda starting to like the X3. But, I've owned a '02 Acura TL Type S, which had transmission issues right from the factory. Went through three trannies before getting rid of the car... :/ Would hate to have to go through that sort of thing again.

Originally Posted by ngcreese

Wow... sooo... I guess the best thing I could do... on a 07' used X3 for sale at a local Toyota Car dealership... is not buy it?

Anyone have to replace their transmission due to this problem?
TBH, was kinda starting to like the X3. But, I've owned a '02 Acura TL Type S, which had transmission issues right from the factory. Went through three trannies before getting rid of the car... :/ Would hate to have to go through that sort of thing again.

NG: stick with an 06 or find a manual shift 07/08.

Originally Posted by ngcreese

Wow... sooo... I guess the best thing I could do... on a 07' used X3 for sale at a local Toyota Car dealership... is not buy it?

Anyone have to replace their transmission due to this problem?
TBH, was kinda starting to like the X3. But, I've owned a '02 Acura TL Type S, which had transmission issues right from the factory. Went through three trannies before getting rid of the car... :/ Would hate to have to go through that sort of thing again.

I would test drive it, and look at the service history. Most are fine. My 2007 has been great!

Originally Posted by madurodave

I would test drive it, and look at the service history. Most are fine. My 2007 has been great!

I respectfully disagree. That's a big gamble to take. While mine wasn't a danger,it was certainly an extreme nuisance and very unpleasant to drive. I bought it new with 91 miles on the odo. An '06 or manual will eliminate the risk. While you have been lucky Dave,it's still a risk.

Originally Posted by x3ronnie

I respectfully disagree. That's a big gamble to take. While mine wasn't a danger,it was certainly an extreme nuisance and very unpleasant to drive. I bought it new with 91 miles on the odo. An '06 or manual will eliminate the risk. While you have been lucky Dave,it's still a risk.

I think we will just have to agree to disagree. I have driven a few 2007's, 08's and 09 X3's now and they have all driven comparably. Do they shift as smooth as my 530xi - no. I know there have been some serious issues as others have posted, but the majority of the 10's of thousands sold are going strong. Not everyone can drive a manual either. I got the AT for my wife. She asked me NOT to trade it or sell it when I bought my Z4 because she likes it so much.

There are posts on this board about 2006's having issues too, so no year is risk-free.

Originally Posted by madurodave

I think we will just have to agree to disagree. I have driven a few 2007's, 08's and 09 X3's now and they have all driven comparably. Do they shift as smooth as my 530xi - no. I know there have been some serious issues as others have posted, but the majority of the 10's of thousands sold are going strong. Not everyone can drive a manual either. I got the AT for my wife. She asked me NOT to trade it or sell it when I bought my Z4 because she likes it so much.

There are posts on this board about 2006's having issues too, so no year is risk-free.

Touche!

Originally Posted by madurodave

I think we will just have to agree to disagree. I have driven a few 2007's, 08's and 09 X3's now and they have all driven comparably. Do they shift as smooth as my 530xi - no. I know there have been some serious issues as others have posted, but the majority of the 10's of thousands sold are going strong. Not everyone can drive a manual either. I got the AT for my wife. She asked me NOT to trade it or sell it when I bought my Z4 because she likes it so much.

There are posts on this board about 2006's having issues too, so no year is risk-free.

I drove all three years as well, and they have ALL had issues. so we can't make a blanket statement one way or the other. even the 328 and the 128 i drove had the same problem as the X3.

Originally Posted by kjboyd

I drove all three years as well, and they have ALL had issues. so we can't make a blanket statement one way or the other. even the 328 and the 128 i drove had the same problem as the X3.

I agree - you really can't put a blanket statement on any year or vehicle. Some are good, some are bad.

A newer X3 built on a Monday or Friday coupled with a GM6 trans built on a Monday or Friday could be doomsday, while both built mid-week could be fine (that old don't buy a car built on a Monday where the employees are hung over of Friday when they are rushing home). But who knows. All I know is my wife said do not get rid of the X3 because she really likes it. It has settled down from some initial annoyances to a nice vehicle now. Great power, shifts ok, 24 mpg!

Originally Posted by kjboyd

I drove all three years as well, and they have ALL had issues. so we can't make a blanket statement one way or the other. even the 328 and the 128 i drove had the same problem as the X3.

One of the main reasons we did not buy a 3'er and got the MCS instead was because of the GM6 transmission that is shared among the 1, 3, and X3 series. Sorry burn me once.....

I can't believe this post is still going. My lease is up in 2 months and I had the pleasure of blowing off the salesman who was trying to get me into another BMW. I just told him to tell his GM that its hard to sell cars to existing BMW owners when the dealer and BMW aren't interested in solving problems. I'm not going through the same bs all over again. The buyout is 50% more than Black Book and about the same as cars are retailing for at dealers. I'm sure they will take a bath on it at the auction. Its too bad. The vehicle was pretty good otherwise except from the occasional noisy followers.

Originally Posted by madurodave

I would test drive it, and look at the service history. Most are fine. My 2007 has been great!

Thanks for the various points of view on this. I went back to the shop for a second test drive specifically looking/feeling for the tranny shift issue. Didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Admittedly however, I had owned a 2004 F-150 and have become used to truck-ish auto-trannies... and have never owned an auto-tranny bimmer before.

That said, I bought the '07 X3, took it to the dealer for a full check up, and had them pull it's import & service records. It's had a pretty good life so far. Worst issue to worry about is a set of new brakes pads... eventually.

Next up, trailer hitch, and a BMW Portable Nav install.

Originally Posted by ngcreese

Thanks for the various points of view on this. I went back to the shop for a second test drive specifically looking/feeling for the tranny shift issue. Didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Admittedly however, I had owned an 2004 F-150 and have become used to truck-ish auto-trannies... and have never owned an auto-tranny bimmer before.

That said, I bought the '07 X3, took it to the dealer for a full check up, and pulled it's service records. It's had a pretty good life so far. Worst issue to worry about is a set of new brakes pads... eventually.

Next up, trailer hitch, and a BMW Portable Nav intsall.

Congrats and welcome to BMW! I am sure you will love it!

Originally Posted by madurodave

Congrats and welcome to BMW! I am sure you will love it!

Agreed. Hope it works well for you. MD is a good example of someone who has had success.

I'll chime in with my recently purchased CPO '07. I've put just over 2500 miles on it and the transmission shifts smooth and is responsive in every situation I've been in with it so far. The more I drive my X3, the more I love it.... DIY oil changes on it are a piece of cake also! I was torn between my X3 and a '08 RX350. After I spent a weekend test driving my X3 and took one more drive in the RX, I knew the X3 was the one for me - so much more of a pleasure to drive, not just a point a to b means of transportation. But I digress .... another '07 AT transmission X3 with no problems.

Originally Posted by AddictedToBoost

I'll chime in with my recently purchased CPO '07. I've put just over 2500 miles on it and the transmission shifts smooth and is responsive in every situation I've been in with it so far. The more I drive my X3, the more I love it.... DIY oil changes on it are a piece of cake also! I was torn between my X3 and a '08 RX350. After I spent a weekend test driving my X3 and took one more drive in the RX, I knew the X3 was the one for me - so much more of a pleasure to drive, not just a point a to b means of transportation. But I digress .... another '07 AT transmission X3 with no problems.

Great to hear! Enjoy it!

Lip bleeding ---- must seek ---- medical ------ attention.

Originally Posted by AddictedToBoost

I'll chime in with my recently purchased CPO '07. I've put just over 2500 miles on it and the transmission shifts smooth and is responsive in every situation I've been in with it so far. The more I drive my X3, the more I love it.... DIY oil changes on it are a piece of cake also! I was torn between my X3 and a '08 RX350. After I spent a weekend test driving my X3 and took one more drive in the RX, I knew the X3 was the one for me - so much more of a pleasure to drive, not just a point a to b means of transportation. But I digress .... another '07 AT transmission X3 with no problems.

I think I would like the RX better. Can you say specifically what you like better about the X3?

I have heard that the RX drives like a station wagon and I tried the Volvo station wagons and thought they were boats. OTOH the X3 bounces itself and the people inside it whereas the RX does not...I think. I did test drives but what can you really tell in a short test drive. If nothing much in the market changes over the next few years, the RX might be my next car provided Toyota gets it act together.

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

I think I would like the RX better. Can you say specifically what you like better about the X3?

I have heard that the RX drives like a station wagon and I tried the Volvo station wagons and thought they were boats. OTOH the X3 bounces itself and the people inside it whereas the RX does not...I think. I did test drives but what can you really tell in a short test drive. If nothing much in the market changes over the next few years, the RX might be my next car provided Toyota gets it act together.

If you want a smooth ride are you precluding all vehicles that are focused more on performance than ride comfort? To me the two seem to be mutually exclusive due to the physics involved.

The X3 has a bit firmer ride but it does not bounce me or my passengers around. I’ve yet to have a passenger complain that my X3 rides harsh. The RX did not ride that much smoother than the X3. I had a good stretch of city and highway roads that I test drove both over back-to-back and the X3 has just as nice of a ride as the RX. The difference for me was how much better the X3 handled - MUCH less body roll and very little nose dive in a panic stop. The RX would wallow and pitch all around like a typical SUV, while the X3 handled much more like a car. I also did not like the torque steer on the Lexus when you accelerated hard. If you stomp on the gas in the X3, it's point and shoot, no drama, just nice and smooth.
I like the manual shift feature on the X3 over the RX, which did not have it (may be an option but the one I drove didn’t have it).
Granted, these are both luxury vehicles and the typical driver of either of these will not be driving that aggressively, so the RX's handling wouldn't be as much of an issue. For me, I love the fact that the X3 is a small SUV but doesn't drive like one. I've been in Japanese vehicles all my life and always assumed they were engineered better than most other brands. After owning my first BMW, I now know why they boast 'the ultimate driving machine'. The RX was very plush and I could have lived with it just fine, but the X3 makes me smile every time I get in it and enjoy the drive.

Sorry to stray off topic in this thread .....

Originally Posted by PPXYZ

I think I would like the RX better. Can you say specifically what you like better about the X3?

I have heard that the RX drives like a station wagon and I tried the Volvo station wagons and thought they were boats. OTOH the X3 bounces itself and the people inside it whereas the RX does not...I think. I did test drives but what can you really tell in a short test drive. If nothing much in the market changes over the next few years, the RX might be my next car provided Toyota gets it act together.

gh, going off topic here, but there are Cute Utes out there that ride better than the X3 with the same or better performance. The XC60 and the EX37 come to mind but the MLK and the Q5 are there too. The X3 used to be the best performer when it was matched against the RAV4 V6 and that ilk. Now not so much IMHO. The new offerings have come on strong with updated platforms and seem to have "solved" the harsh ride problem in most cases. While there certainly are "physics" involved, other marques have found a way to accomodate both performance and comfort. Perhaps the new X3 will break new ground and once again become the gold standard of cute utes. While I am not an expert on chassis dynamics, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express recently. And now back to our regularly scheduled post '07 X3 transmission problem thread.