Transmission Malfunction - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bmwowns · 27th August 2008, 22:49

Hi, I am a new member! I have an 06 M5, and I haven't really had any problems with my M5 until yesterday afternoon. About 1 mile down the road from my house I was sitting at a red light, and when the light turned green I attempted to accelerate, but I was in neutral. I figured that my fiance or I had tapped the shifter, so I put it in drive and continued down the road. About 1/2 mile down the road the "Transmission Malfunction" messgae popped up. I parked my car and left it running as I called my S/A. My S/A told me that it's most likely an error, and it would be safe to drive it to their facility. I got back in my car and a "reduced power" message popped up. Unable to take the car out of neutral I had my M5 towed to BMW service. I got off the phone with my S/A this afternoon, and he said that my battery is dead, and he is 100% positive without running any tests as of yet that I don't have anything wrong with my transmission or the hydraulic unit. My S/A is a moron, and I don't believe that he knows anything about BMW's. Has anyone else had the same messages pop up and not had a problem with the hydaullic unit?

This probably has nothing to do with the transmission malfunction, but has anyone had this problem that has the DINAN 3.91 differential?

unfoundhorsepower · 27th August 2008, 23:25

.
.YES, you are correct: YOUR S.A. is a MORON...so he can diagnose your car over the phone? He's VERY special...worth a lot of $$$ to the dealership.
Before we go any further, let me ask, what is the production date of your car, new or used, mods or no mods and how many miles on it ? What's the history.....important stuff when looking for help. thanks

bmwowns · 27th August 2008, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by unfoundhorsepower

.
.YES, you are correct: YOUR S.A. is a MORON...so he can diagnose your car over the phone? He's VERY special...worth a lot of $$$ to the dealership.
Before we go any further, let me ask, what is the production date of your car, new or used, mods or no mods and how many miles on it ? What's the history.....important stuff when looking for help. thanks

He is a very special little man... Most S/A's that I have met don't take me seriously because no female should be a car enthusiast. :lol:
I honestly can't remember the production date of my M5, ofcourse all of my paperwork is in the glovebox. We took delivery in August of 2006... The car was bought new.
Mods: DINAN 3.91 differential, dinan wheels, dinan front and rear strut tower bars, dinan sway bars, dinan stage 2 suspension, dinan full exhaust, dinan engine performance software.
The m5 has 27,000 miles on it.
I really haven't had any other problems with the m5 except for faulty head lamp wiring issue 3 months ago.
tia

andrewsherman · 28th August 2008, 03:31

It is probably the SMG hydraulic pump. There is a high failure rate - particularly in the '06s. Do a search and you will find more info than you need. It most definitely is not your battery.

ard · 28th August 2008, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwowns

My S/A is a moron, and I don't believe that he knows anything about BMW's.

SAs are a necessary evil. I went through 4 prior to finding one that 'worked' for me.

I suggest you have a conversation with the service manager and let him know what you want in an SA, and who he'd recommend. I wanted someone who would not suck up to me, and didn't make up stuff when he didn't know, since I would know this and crucify him for it.

Worth a try.

All I really need is honest communications. Good news or bad news, just tell me and be straight. If they can't get to stuff, schedules slip, whatever, that's fine as long is they communicate.

A

DRM · 28th August 2008, 05:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

SAs are a necessary evil. I went through 4 prior to finding one that 'worked' for me.

A

YOU only went through FOUR?? Man, you're getting easy in your old age!!

bmwowns · 28th August 2008, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard

SAs are a necessary evil. I went through 4 prior to finding one that 'worked' for me.

I suggest you have a conversation with the service manager and let him know what you want in an SA, and who he'd recommend. I wanted someone who would not suck up to me, and didn't make up stuff when he didn't know, since I would know this and crucify him for it.

Worth a try.

All I really need is honest communications. Good news or bad news, just tell me and be straight. If they can't get to stuff, schedules slip, whatever, that's fine as long is they communicate.

A

I do need to have a talk with my S/A. When I spoke with him yesterday I asked him to call me when they have found the problem. I also asked if it needed a hydraullic pump. Anyway, I called him this morning and asked if they found anything yet. My S/A said oh yeah you need a hydraullic pump, and I said didn't I ask you about that yesterday and he responded with I can't remember. So I won't get my m5 back until Wednesday... To make matters worse, they ran out of bmw loaners (even though my S/A said he had an X3 waiting), so I have to drive a base model mustang that I can barely reach the pedals in. This dealership is bullsh*t
Sorry about the rant, I'm frustrated.

xraym5 · 28th August 2008, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwowns

I do need to have a talk with my S/A. When I spoke with him yesterday I asked him to call me when they have found the problem. I also asked if it needed a hydraullic pump. Anyway, I called him this morning and asked if they found anything yet. My S/A said oh yeah you need a hydraullic pump, and I said didn't I ask you about that yesterday and he responded with I can't remember. So I won't get my m5 back until Wednesday... To make matters worse, they ran out of bmw loaners (even though my S/A said he had an X3 waiting), so I have to drive a base model mustang that I can barely reach the pedals in. This dealership is bullsh*t
Sorry about the rant, I'm frustrated.

Hope they will cover it under warranty and not "blame" your Dinan differential.

bmwowns · 28th August 2008, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by xraym5

Hope they will cover it under warranty and not "blame" your Dinan differential.

Knowing my luck they will blame it on the DINAN diff. Could they say its not covered under warranty?

m6ontheway · 28th August 2008, 21:03

You will be fine...they arent going to blame the diff, especially with all of the known problems with the SMG's. Get to know your SA very well, it helps. I know it's bad but a few $100 handshakes go a long way!!

Daytona Bones · 28th August 2008, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by m6ontheway

I know it's bad but a few $100 handshakes go a long way!!

Yikes, do they have prostitutes at your dealer?