If your BMW needs transmission repair, the good news is at least you don’t need transmission replacement. The bad news is it’s still costly. Repair costs vary widely, too, due to a number of factors: style of your car, extent of damage, manual vs. automatic transmission, dealership vs. independent shop, even your location. That said, the following is a short list of typical BMW transmission repairs:

• Transmission Leak: Common causes can be anything from a cracked fluid line to a faulty transmission pan. Cost will vary depending on the underlying cause.
• Transmission Fluid Flush: A transmission fluid flush involves draining all existing fluid and replacing it with brand new fluid. The cost? Depends on the model you have.

Other common transmission repairs include solenoid replacement and linkage tightening or replacing.

Tough question. It depends on what needs to be repaired on your BMW, because there are a number of things that can go wrong. The following is a list of typical repairs:

• Transmission Leak: Common causes include cracked fluid lines, leaky seals, a bad gasket, a broken drain plug, damaged torque converter pump or faulty transmission pan.
• Transmission Fluid Flush: Replaces old transmission fluid with new fluid. If you’re handy, this is one repair you can do yourself.
• Transmission Solenoid Replacement: Solenoids control the fluid in the transmission. They work through voltage supplied by your transmission’s computer.
• Transmission Linkage: Your linkage can loosen over time and might need to be tightened. Other times it may need to be replaced altogether.

Sometimes a transmission is so damaged it can’t be repaired. If that’s the case, then you’ll need either a rebuilt or a remanufactured transmission. Both are expensive, running anywhere from $X,XXX – $X,XXX.

There are several tell-tale signs, but it all depends on your type of transmission.

BMW Manual Transmissions

The clutch system, which disengages the engine from the drivetrain to change gears, usually has the highest number of issues. Sometimes it just needs an adjustment, other times it needs to be replaced. If your clutch isn’t the problem, it’s your gearbox. Common warning signs are:

• Difficulty switching gears
• Unable to switch gears
• Grinding or a crunching sound
• Clutch slips or doesn’t “feel right”
• Burning smell or high engine revs

BMW Automatic Transmissions

Automatic transmission issues are far more complex than manual transmission problems because they have twice as many parts. In general, automatic transmission problems fall into four categories:

• Car is slow to move after putting gearshift lever in Drive or other forward gear
• Car doesn’t move when you shift into a forward gear
• Bucking and kicking when driving
• Slowing down despite pressing harder on the gas pedal

For more details, see the Kelley Blue Book article Do I Need a New Transmission?

This is one of the most common problems. Transmission fluid is usually red or green to distinguish it from oil and other fluids in your car. If you’re certain it’s your transmission, take it to your BMW mechanic as soon as you can.

Generally, it’s not dangerous to drive with a leak in the sort-term, but it’s really not a good idea. Even if it’s a small leak, small leaks can turn into big leaks, which could lead to bigger problems down the road.

The short answer is no, transmission repair is typically not covered by auto insurance. However, insurance might cover the cost if your transmission was damaged in an accident. But it all depends on the type of insurance coverage you have, and even the state you live in. It’s always best to contact your insurance company and ask them directly.