Is my transmission dead? 2001 X5 (3.0)

Hi all! My 2001 x5 3.0 (automatic trans) has been slightly hesitant in changing gears for a couple of months, and today while I was accelerating from stop I heard a noise like something was hit under the engine (felt like it too) and the car wouldn't go into gear anymore (forward or reverse), just makes a noise. (No I didn't hit anything :-)

What now? I towed it back home and honestly I am afraid to even call the shop at this point given the amount of money I've spent on repairs in the last 6 mos. Is the transmission kaput? Dare I even ask how mind bogglingly expensive this will be?

Could be the tranny and/or the transfer case and/or the drive shafts. You need to have the problem properly diagnosed.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...acting-up.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...t-problem.html

Thanks for the links Zulu, it certainly sounds like the transfer case and front drive shaft. Hmmm... what to do now... certainly not jumping at the gun to spend another 4k plus on this car...

You choices are limited:
If you know a good indy transmission place then get them to give you the final answer as to what is wrong and how much it will cost to fix.
Take the vehicle to a $tealer and be prepared to to lose major limbs.
Part out the vehicle and just buy another.

What do you think the odds are of selling this car as is? Everything else (int, ext) is in perfect condition. If I list it for 5,000 or less do you think someone will be interested?

odds are small and against you...
You would have to drop the price to cover "worst case" - by the cost of replacing transmission (part for new and labor). This would be $4500 for tranny +$1500 for replacement and who knows what - programming etc.... so ~$6000
Car is worth what? ~ $9k max So you got the bottom line.
If potential buyer can't test drive the car it will be quite suspicious and would request more "margin".

Best bet is to find a shop and fix the problem which maybe less than $3k... then sell .