BMW 1 Series Trans Warning: Grinding Shifts & Limp Mode

Hey there! I had nearly identical symptoms with my 2018 BMW 2 Series diesel last year. The grinding during shifts and warning lights definitely ring a bell. After checking at the garage, turned out my gearbox oil level was critically low, which was causing all those issues. The technician found a small leak at one of the transmission seals that had been slowly draining the oil. It wasn't just a sensor problem, the low oil level was causing real damage to the gearbox components. This was pretty serious as continued driving could have led to complete transmission failure. The fix involved replacing the faulty seal, thoroughly cleaning the transmission, and doing a complete transmission oil change with the correct spec fluid. My car's been shifting smoothly ever since, no more warning lights or emergency mode. If you're experiencing similar symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked soon to prevent potential transmission damage. These symptoms shouldn't be ignored.

Really glad I came across your reply! I've been dealing with what sounds like the exact same problem. My mechanic's actually looking at it right now. I'm hoping it's just the seal like in your case and not something more serious with the transmission itself. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Thanks!

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! So yeah, I've actually just gotten my car back from the mechanic last week. Turns out the main culprit was indeed that pesky transmission oil temperature sensor playing up, just like I suspected might be happening with yours. They replaced it and also found the gearbox oil level was running way too low, which explained those nasty grinding noises we were both experiencing. The total bill came to 365 € for everything, parts, labor, and fresh transmission fluid. I'd say that's pretty reasonable considering how much smoother everything's running now. The transmission's shifting like a dream, all warning lights are gone, and no more emergency mode kicking in. Since the fix, I've put about 500 km on the clock and honestly, it feels like a completely different car. No problems, no weird noises, nothing. It's back to that smooth BMW driving experience we all love. If you're still at the mechanic, fingers crossed it's something similar and not anything more serious! Let me know how it turns out.

Just got back from the mechanic and what a relief! You won't believe it, my issue wasn't as bad as I initially feared. Turned out the transmission mount was loose and there was a minor leak in one of the seals. The mechanic managed to fix both problems and topped up the transmission fluid. Total damage was around 400 bucks, not too bad considering I was preparing for much worse! The best part? The car's running like new again. No more grinding, no warning lights, and the shifting is butter smooth. It's crazy how such a small issue can cause so much worry, right? Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it helped me stay calm while waiting for the diagnosis. Guess I've found myself a new mechanic too. This guy really knew his stuff and didn't try to upsell me on unnecessary repairs. Such a change from my last experience! Thanks again for all your help!