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Saaarah
BMW XM Transmission Grinding & Gear Shift Display Issues
4 comment(s)
Saaarah (Author)
Thanks for sharing your experience. That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. I'm glad to hear your transmission's working properly now. Did they give you a heads up on how much the TCU replacement and reprogramming set you back? Also, have you had any other transmission problems since the repair? Just want to make sure I'm prepared for what's coming.
BlackUwe
Hey there! Just wanted to update you on my X6 M situation since you asked. The whole repair job, including the TCU replacement and reprogramming, came to about 1000 €. And here's the good news, since getting it fixed, my transmission's been running like a dream! Not a single problem since then, and that annoying gear shift indicator display problem is completely gone too. The mechanics really knew their stuff with this one. At first, I was worried it might be something bigger (you know how these repairs can snowball), but they diagnosed it spot on with the control unit being the culprit. I've put quite a few miles on it since the repair, and honestly, it feels even better than before the issue started. The shifting is butter-smooth now, and all those warning lights that were driving me crazy are history. I'd say it was money well spent, especially considering what a new transmission would've cost if I'd let the problem go on too long. Hope this gives you a better idea of what you're looking at. Keep us posted on how yours turns out!
Saaarah (Author)
Thanks for the detailed info about the cost and follow-up performance! Really puts my mind at ease. I bit the bullet and took it to the shop yesterday. You were right, they diagnosed it as a faulty TCU too. The mechanic actually showed me the diagnostic readouts, which was pretty cool. They've ordered the part and said it should arrive tomorrow. The total quote is a bit higher than what you paid, around 1200 €, but that includes a full transmission fluid change they recommended while they're at it. The mechanic seemed really knowledgeable and took the time to explain everything. They even showed me some common wear patterns they spotted during the inspection. They're keeping my car overnight once the part arrives, but promised it'll be ready by the next evening. I'll update the thread once I get it back, but I'm feeling much more confident about the whole situation now. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the decision to get it sorted before it turned into something worse!
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BlackUwe
I had a similar issue with my 2019 BMW X6 M last month. The symptoms were almost identical, erratic shifting, grinding noise, and transmission warning lights. Took it to the garage and they diagnosed it as a defective transmission control unit (TCU). The control unit wasn't properly communicating with the transmission, causing those irregular shift patterns. They had to replace the TCU and reprogram the new unit. It was quite a serious issue that needed immediate attention since continuing to drive could have damaged the transmission itself. The repair took about two days because they had to order the specific part. After the fix, the transmission has been shifting smoothly, no more grinding sounds, and all warning lights are gone. A certified BMW specialist is your best bet for this kind of problem since they have the right diagnostic tools and coding equipment. Hope this helps with your decision. Let us know how it goes.