[clwguy]

I'm completely lost as to how to proceed and am seeking some advice.

I've taken my X3 M40 to a three different "German specialist" shops for various service and repairs and have been unimpressed with all of them for different reasons (all three were unable to diagnose a vibration, all three missed obvious Axle Shaft problem even after they were told there was a problem and it was visible just by looking at it). My experience with the local BMW dealership is not really good and since my warranty has expired I don't bother with them.

Eventually I found another shop specializing in German cars. He saw the obvious Axle Shaft problem which I got him to fix at $2100 (seems crazy expensive to me). He pointed out the other side was just starting to go and would need to be fixed as well (I decided to hold off on that for right now). But he found another, far more serious problem. He showed me oil leaking around the transmission oil pan, which he said was urgent matter and the car shouldn't be driven.

He didn't investigate any further, to see exactly where it was leaking from. I'm not sure if I trust him.

I've taken the car home and would like to get a proper inspection.

Obviously, I need to get someone else to look at the transmission oil and pan.
But going back to my previous experiences, I don't really trust any of the places I've already tried.

What should be my next step in getting this properly diagnosed?

Thanks

[Covfefe1776]

might be time to take it back to bmw

[hooligan_G01]

Doesn't the BMW Car Club have a list of "approved" mechanics or similar?

[alex2364]

If you don't trust four German indy shops, I'm not sure if the problem are the shops.

[Gorst]

Originally Posted by clwguy

I'm completely lost as to how to proceed and am seeking some advice.

I've taken my X3 M40 to a three different "German specialist" shops for various service and repairs and have been unimpressed with all of them for different reasons (all three were unable to diagnose a vibration, all three missed obvious Axle Shaft problem even after they were told there was a problem and it was visible just by looking at it). My experience with the local BMW dealership is not really good and since my warranty has expired I don't bother with them.

Eventually I found another shop specializing in German cars. He saw the obvious Axle Shaft problem which I got him to fix at $2100 (seems crazy expensive to me). He pointed out the other side was just starting to go and would need to be fixed as well (I decided to hold off on that for right now). But he found another, far more serious problem. He showed me oil leaking around the transmission oil pan, which he said was urgent matter and the car shouldn't be driven.

He didn't investigate any further, to see exactly where it was leaking from. I'm not sure if I trust him.

I've taken the car home and would like to get a proper inspection.

Obviously, I need to get someone else to look at the transmission oil and pan.
But going back to my previous experiences, I don't really trust any of the places I've already tried.

What should be my next step in getting this properly diagnosed?

Thanks

What year is your X3 and how many Kilometres
It would be nice to list the garages so the rest of us in Toronto are aware
Thanks

[clwguy]

Right!! It must be me.

Originally Posted by alex2364

If you don't trust four German indy shops, I'm not sure if the problem are the shops.

[clwguy]

Sorry, I just updated my location. I'm actually in Tampa Bay. It's car is a 2018 M40i with almost 80k miles/ 120k km.

Bert Smith BMW is the closest. I've had multiple BMWs serviced there over 20 year. I am not a fan.

European Performance. Way over priced. Were unable to diagnose three different issues. 1. A vibration (that a BMW dealer in a different state fixed), a squealing whining noise as documented by someone else here
(

)

and a CV Axel shaft which was oozing gunk. But told me the issue was a control arm. Had them put on a new one at just over thousand dollars. How can you replace a control arm and not see that the Axel shaft was not oozing gunk??

Panzer Performance: Unable to diagnose vibration.

Total German Performance: Diagnosed vibration as small crack in exhaust system. Estimate to replace system (system is one entire piece) $2800. Turns out it was not the exhaust system and there really was no crack. Reported that there was nothing wrong with CV Axel shaft.

Omitting name of fourth BMW specialty shop. CV Axel shafts on both sides need to be be replaced, and oil around transmission pan. Shows me both and I can see the issues. Does some quick calculations and gives me a price (verbal) of $9,000. Says BMW does not recommend removing oil pan but he says he can do it.

Originally Posted by Gorst

What year is your X3 and how many Kilometres
It would be nice to list the garages so the rest of us in Toronto are aware
Thanks

[383vett]

If the 2018 has 80K miles, it would be a good idea to have the transmission fluid changed. This will take care of the pan leak.

[glennbk]

You can also clean the area and then place a cardboard box under it to see how much fluid is being lost.

[gphin]

You mentioned you had experience with the local dealership. Looks like there are four BMW dealers in the Tampa area. Why not check their ratings on a site like "dealerrater" and give one of the three others a try. I'd rather go to a dealer to get it diagnosed as opposed to an indy where I've not had any prior repair experience... especislly involving something major like transmission work.

[Mondomensch]

Many people here seem to endorse replacing the AT fluid (and pan and gasket) at 50-60k miles. That is apparently the recommendation of the non-BMW manufacturer of the AT. There is a special BMW procedure to get more of the old fluid out and make sure the new fill is properly distributed iirc.