BMW X1 Jerking: Transfer Case or Transmission Issues?

Hey there! I've got some experience with BMWs and had a pretty similar issue with my 2015 BMW X3. I'm not a pro mechanic but I've dealt with my fair share of car troubles over the years. What you're describing sounds exactly like what I went through. Had the same jerking and rough shifts, and that pesky warning light kept showing up. I took it to my workshop and after diagnosis, they found defective gears in the transfer case. The whole repair, including parts and labor, set me back about 330 Euro, but it fixed the problem completely. One quick question though, have you noticed any unusual noises, particularly when turning? Also, could you share how many miles/kilometers you've got on your X1? This info would help me give you more specific advice based on my experience. By the way, if it is the transfer case, don't wait too long to get it checked. Mine got worse pretty quickly after the first symptoms showed up.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My X1 just hit 70584 KM and had its last service 3 months ago. No weird noises during turns, but that transfer case issue you mentioned sounds spot on. Those repair costs seem reasonable too, definitely better than waiting and risking more damage. I'll get it checked out ASAP at the workshop. Thanks for the heads up about it potentially getting worse quickly!

Hey again! Following up on our transfer case discussion. After you mentioned your mileage and service history, it really does sound identical to what I experienced. Just wanted to add, after my repair, I learned that preventive maintenance on these transfer cases is super important. Since fixing mine, I've been getting it checked every service interval, and it's been running smooth as butter for the past 2 years. My mechanic said these issues are pretty common in our BMW X series around the 65,000-75,000 KM mark. One thing I forgot to mention earlier, before I got mine fixed, the jerking got really bad in wet conditions. Did you notice anything similar? Also, keep an eye on your transmission fluid levels. My mechanic mentioned they're often related issues. Glad you're getting it checked soon! Let us know how it turns out, would be interesting to see if it's the same problem I had. These BMWs are great cars, but they definitely need their regular TLC to keep running well.

Thanks for the follow-up! Actually, yes, now that you mention it, I have noticed the jerking gets worse in wet weather. I didn't connect the dots before, but that makes total sense. I really appreciate the tip about checking transmission fluid levels too. Just called my workshop and booked it in for tomorrow morning, they'll do a full check of both the transfer case and transmission fluid. It's super helpful knowing this is a common issue around my mileage range. I'll definitely make sure to add transfer case checks to my regular maintenance schedule once this is fixed. You're absolutely right about these BMWs needing proper care, learned that lesson! I'll update the thread once I get the diagnosis and repair done. Thanks again for all your help!