BMW 5 Series Transmission Won't Start in Park, Quick Fix?

I had a similar transmission issue with my 2013 BMW 3 Series 320d last year. The symptoms were almost identical, rough shifting and starting problems. The diagnostic showed an "Affected control unit defective" error. Turned out the transmission control module was failing, which caused the parking lock mechanism to malfunction. The repair involved replacing the mechatronic unit and reprogramming the transmission control module. It was quite a serious issue since the transmission could've been permanently damaged if left unattended. The work took about 3 days at the garage, but it fixed all the problems, smooth shifting now and starts perfectly in park. Based on your symptoms, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. I'd strongly suggest having it checked soon to prevent further transmission damage. Make sure to find a garage that specializes in BMW transmissions, as these issues require specific diagnostic tools and expertise.

Thanks for sharing your experience, it definitely sounds like we had the exact same issue! Would you mind telling me how much you ended up paying for the repairs? Also curious if you've had any other transmission problems pop up since getting it fixed? The BMW specialist near me quoted quite a high price, so I'm trying to get a feel for what others paid. Your input would really help me figure out if I'm being quoted fairly.

Hey again! Happy to give you an update. I paid exactly 1000 € for the repair work on my 320d, which covered the control unit replacement and all the programming. Honestly, considering the complexity of the work, I think it was worth every penny. The best part? I haven't had a single transmission issue since getting it fixed, it's been working perfectly. The parking position problem was completely resolved, and the transmission shifts like new now. Such a relief after dealing with those annoying symptoms! From my experience, while BMW specialists might quote higher prices, they usually know exactly what they're doing with these specific transmission issues. I'd say if your quote is around what I paid, it's probably in the right ballpark. These control units aren't cheap, and the programming requires special equipment. Feel free to ask if you need any other details about the repair. It's definitely not a fun expense, but it's worth getting it done right to avoid bigger problems down the road!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! After getting your advice, I bit the bullet and took my car to the BMW specialist. You were spot on, it was the transmission control module. Ended up paying slightly more, around 1200 €, but they did some extra preventive work too. Just got the car back yesterday and what a difference! The transmission shifts smoothly now, and it starts perfectly in park. Such a relief after dealing with those issues for weeks. The mechanic was actually great, really took the time to explain everything and even showed me the faulty parts. Really appreciate you sharing your experience. It helped me make the decision to get it fixed properly instead of trying to find a cheaper option that might've made things worse. Fingers crossed it stays running smoothly like yours has! Guess I learned my lesson about trying to save money on specialized repairs. Sometimes you just have to pay a bit more to get it done right. Thanks again for all your help!