BMW 4 Series Trans Issues: Grinding & Power Loss Help

Hey there! I had some experience with transmission troubles on my 2012 BMW 3 Series (coming from someone with moderate car knowledge). Same symptoms hit me last year, transmission warning light, jerky shifts, and that annoying power loss. Turned out my torque converter was shot too. After trying different workshops, I found a transmission specialist who diagnosed and fixed it properly. The whole job, including parts and labor, set me back about 2120 Euro, but it's been running smoothly since. Just to help you better, what's your current mileage and have you noticed any transmission fluid leaks? Also, did these issues start suddenly or develop gradually? Knowing these details would help compare our situations better. I also looked at getting a 4 Series before settling on my 3, so I'm quite familiar with these models. Hope this helps as a starting point!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My 4 Series has 27018 KM and just had its service last month. The issues actually started gradually over the past few weeks. No fluid leaks that I can spot, but it's getting worse, especially during cold starts. Would you mind sharing which transmission specialist you went to? Also wondering if they offered any warranty on the repair work? I'm a bit worried about the potential costs, but it's good to know what price range I might be looking at.

Hey again! Yeah, I totally get your concern, transmission issues can be nerve-wracking. My repair did come with a 12-month warranty, which was pretty reassuring. Your mileage is actually quite a bit lower than mine was when I had the problem (mine was around 85000 KM), but the symptoms sound identical. The cold start issues you mentioned? Had exactly the same thing, it was particularly bad on cold mornings, which is apparently pretty typical for failing torque converters. I'd suggest not waiting too long to get it checked out though. I initially tried to "live with it" for a few weeks, and it only made things worse. Plus, driving with a faulty transmission can potentially damage other components. By the way, since my repair last year, I've also made it a habit to get the transmission fluid checked more regularly, about every 40000 KM now instead of waiting for the service indicator. It's a bit excessive maybe, but I'd rather be safe than sorry after what happened. Have you gotten any quotes yet? Prices can vary quite a bit between shops, but I'd recommend focusing on finding someone who really knows BMW transmissions specifically, even if they charge a bit more. It made a huge difference in my case.

Thanks so much for all this detailed info, it's super helpful! No quotes yet, but I'll definitely start looking for BMW transmission specialists right away. You're right about not waiting too long; I'd rather deal with it now than risk more damage. Good tip about the regular transmission fluid checks too, I'll definitely add that to my maintenance routine once this is fixed. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. The 12-month warranty sounds reassuring, so I'll make sure to ask about warranty coverage when I'm getting quotes. The fact that your car's been running smoothly since the repair gives me hope that it'll be worth the investment. I'll probably get on this first thing next week. Thanks again for all your help!