04 X5 3.0 - Transmission problem!! - Bimmerfest

Rod365 · #1 03-07-2004, 11:36 AM

As reported earlier I took my X5 in to the dealer to look at the hesitation problem, and they indicated they didn't have a fix. From a stop position, when you step on the gas it hesitates before going.

Well, I got a call from the dealer, and they have to replace my transmission

I only have 2000miles on it.

What kind of recourse do I have? Can I insist on a new replacement vehicle?

I love my X5 but something tells me it'll never be the same if they go in and change the transmission.

Rod

Rangerfan · #2 03-07-2004, 12:22 PM

You can insist on a new car, but you have absoluted NO chance of winning that argument. The car is not a lemon under the NY law. Transmissions get replaced on cars all the time. As long as the dealer does a good job, which they prolly will, you should have no worries.

ibschwartz · #3 03-22-2004, 07:30 AM

We've got the identical problem in Boston. It's an epidemic in X5 and some of the 300 series. What's the maximum concession available from BMW? Anyone got a new one?

Irwin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod365

As reported earlier I took my X5 in to the dealer to look at the hesitation problem, and they indicated they didn't have a fix. From a stop position, when you step on the gas it hesitates before going.

Well, I got a call from the dealer, and they have to replace my transmission

I only have 2000miles on it.

What kind of recourse do I have? Can I insist on a new replacement vehicle?

I love my X5 but something tells me it'll never be the same if they go in and change the transmission.

Rod

neuownr · #4 03-23-2004, 07:39 PM

When did you buy the car? Late 03 or early 04?

ibschwartz · #5 03-24-2004, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neuownr

When did you buy the car? Late 03 or early 04?

We knew about the transmission problems in the 03s and asked if it had been fixed in the 04s with a positive response. Evidently not.

Tominizer · #6 03-26-2004, 05:45 AM

The other HUGE issue with the 3 litre motor is that it consumes oil like a pig. I wonder if BMW will ever address that issue too

I know here in Canada that as long as it's less then 6 months old you can return the vehicle to the dealer as you're covered under some consumer portection act if there's something wrong with the car .

Emission · #7 03-26-2004, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tominizer

The other HUGE issue with the 3 litre motor is that it consumes oil like a pig. I wonder if BMW will ever address that issue too

Our X5 3.0 has 16,000 miles on it - and it has never used even a tiny bit of additional oil. It had the dealer oil change at 14,500 and that was it. (Don't worry, I check it every two weeks.)

My 330i used about 1/2 quart every six months. Nothing to worry about.

Emission · #8 03-26-2004, 11:20 AM

Oh, I've got a good friend out here with a new '04 X5 3.0 with the identical transmission issue.

I had a '98 328i that had the transmission replaced at 1,000 miles. I never noticed it - except it drove much better after the transplant.

jvilla107 · #9 03-26-2004, 07:21 PM

I have an 04 X5 3.0 that I purchased in January with 835 miles on it. The original customer was traded out of the truck, because of that same transmission problem, by BMW. I saved $6840.00 off the sticker price because no one else wanted to touch it because of its prior history ( there is a disclosure law here in New Jersey about repurchased vehicles ).
I have over 6,000 miles on it and it has been flawless.

SASTUD · #10 03-31-2004, 10:55 AM

this may shock the bmw world. but the transmissions that you are referring to are GM, yes General Motors transmissions that BMW has commissioned GM to build for them for use in 3 series & x5 models. what happens is they leak internally & have a cold start delay during the 1st a.m. start-up & usage of the vehicle...

QUOTE=Rod365]As reported earlier I took my X5 in to the dealer to look at the hesitation problem, and they indicated they didn't have a fix. From a stop position, when you step on the gas it hesitates before going.

Well, I got a call from the dealer, and they have to replace my transmission

I only have 2000miles on it.

What kind of recourse do I have? Can I insist on a new replacement vehicle?

I love my X5 but something tells me it'll never be the same if they go in and change the transmission.

Rod[/QUOTE]

Emission · #11 03-31-2004, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SASTUD

this may shock the bmw world. but the transmissions that you are referring to are GM, yes General Motors transmissions that BMW has commissioned GM to build for them for use in 3 series & x5 models. what happens is they leak internally & have a cold start delay during the 1st a.m. start-up & usage of the vehicle.

BMW has been using GM transmissions in the 3-series since 1999. No surprise - and they are very smooth.

However, I don't think the transmission in the X5 is a GM unit. I am not 100% sure. In any case, prove me wrong.

rting · #12 03-31-2004, 11:34 AM

Saw some reply on roadly.org's forum regarding that the transmission is possibiliy made by a company called ZF (or www.zf.com). With the convenience of internet, I e-mailed ZF and can confirm that the X5 tranny does come from ZF.

May be ZF is a subsidiary of GM?

Emission · #13 03-31-2004, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rting

Saw some reply on roadly.org's forum regarding that the transmission is possibiliy made by a company called ZF (or www.zf.com). With the convenience of internet, I e-mailed ZF and can confirm that the X5 tranny does come from ZF.

May be ZF is a subsidiary of GM?

I know the very first generation of E46 (323i and 328i) both used the 5-speed automatic from GM. It most likely was temporary until BMW had the 5-speed transmission from ZF... makes sense to me.

Desertnate · #14 03-31-2004, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rting

May be ZF is a subsidiary of GM?

Or they are a vendor common to both companies. An example is Getrag. They make the manual trannies for the 323/325 as well as the Corvette, F-body cars, the CTS, and I believe the Lincoln LS (shooting from the hip on that one).

rting · #15 03-31-2004, 11:54 AM

rodster13 · #16 04-06-2004, 08:10 AM

I've read a few posts about the replacement but none about the performance after the fix. Anyone care to post the resolution?

rting · #17 04-06-2004, 08:36 AM

rting · #18 04-06-2004, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodster13

I've read a few posts about the replacement but none about the performance after the fix. Anyone care to post the resolution?

See post by "Car_54" in this thread:
http://www.hotbimmer.net/forum/showt...8&page=3&pp=25

It has to do with cold start in the morning (your mornign coffee?) and transmission not shift or delayed shifting. Not sure if it helps?

shopdraw · #19 04-26-2004, 05:39 PM

Dealer here in GA will only replace transmission and will not even give me a fair trade in on the X5 with 6,000 miles I bought from them. Eventhough, BMW new about this problem before I bought the unit.
This seems to me to go beyond lemon law to some type of class action suit. I know if I were looking for a used SUV and caught wind of what was going on with these transmissions, I would not but a 3.0 X5. This will hurt resale of these vehicles.

Emission · #20 04-26-2004, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopdraw

Dealer here in GA will only replace transmission and will not even give me a fair trade in on the X5 with 6,000 miles I bought from them. Eventhough, BMW new about this problem before I bought the unit.
This seems to me to go beyond lemon law to some type of class action suit. I know if I were looking for a used SUV and caught wind of what was going on with these transmissions, I would not but a 3.0 X5. This will hurt resale of these vehicles.

I'd jump on that replacement transmission.

I worked for an Acura dealership a few years back, and all they would do was re-build the transmission! A replacement transmission is a simple procedure for a mechanic, and leaves little room for error. Re-building can be a nightmare.

Get it replaced.

Emission · #21 04-26-2004, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shopdraw

I know if I were looking for a used SUV and caught wind of what was going on with these transmissions, I would not but a 3.0 X5. This will hurt resale of these vehicles.

You act as if ALL the X5's have the issue - they don't.

My X5 has been perfect.

You should have seen all things that went wrong with my Honda, then my Acura. I'd have a good argument that says BMW is more reliable based on my experience...

lsedels · #22 04-30-2004, 05:32 PM

Folks,

BMW still uses GM trannys. For the 3-series, some are GMs and some are ZFs. I can't remember exactly where I read it, but yes ... the same issue affects some X5s .. because that wonderful French-manufactured GM tranny is used there also. It affects '03s as well as '04s. The remedy is to replace the transmission, or to disassemble and replace the clutch pack (the replacement trannys are in short supply in some places). You're much better off with the replacement tranny

For those dealers who deny that this is an issue, escalate. Ask to speak to the shop foreman. He/she can't deny that there have been problems ... they've been dealing with them every day. Ask for the service manager. Ask for the dealership GM. But don't accept a denial. And ... I have heard of buybacks, but very very few ... and only if the car was basically just driven out of the dealership. They will, however, replace they tranny.

bten · #23 05-01-2004, 12:42 PM

I noticed when I was looking at X5's some trannys were from france and some from germany. Mine was from germany. Any idea which one is made by GM? btw, transmission country of origin is on the sticker.

lsedels · #24 05-01-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bten

I noticed when I was looking at X5's some trannys were from france and some from germany. Mine was from germany. Any idea which one is made by GM? btw, transmission country of origin is on the sticker.

GMs are actually made in both Germany and France. I have heard that the problem trannies were from France, but I can't say that this was based on anything factual I saw from BMW.

Rod365 · #25 06-30-2004, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsedels

GMs are actually made in both Germany and France. I have heard that the problem trannies were from France, but I can't say that this was based on anything factual I saw from BMW.

Well I got my transmission replaced on my 04 X5 3.0 - felt good for the 1st week or so but now it has the same issues again. I have to take it back in and see what they say this time. Its very frustrating...

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