BMW X3 (2008, petrol): Slipping gearshift, illuminated ABS light and noises from the gearbox

Hello, I had similar problems with my BMW X5 (built in 2006, petrol engine). I'm not a professional car mechanic, but I do have some experience. At my garage it turned out that there was a subsequent fault in the dynamic stability control. Fortunately, I didn't have to pay anything for it. It could be that your car has something similar. Can you say a bit more about the condition of your gearbox? Has it ever been replaced? That could help to narrow down the problem.

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Hey, thanks for the tip! Well, my little hero mill now has 128741 km on the clock, and the gearbox has not yet been replaced. At the last service a few months ago, everything was still OK, no indication of any subsequent faults. They only changed the oil and balanced the wheels. Maybe I should go to another garage and have it checked out. Thanks again for the tip!

(Translated from German)

Hey, no problem, you're welcome! With the number of kilometers, it is certainly possible that the transmission is starting to cause trouble. Your symptoms already strongly suggest this. It could also be the transfer case emergency running control, as you have already suspected. This wasn't the case for me, but it often manifests itself with symptoms similar to those you've described. In any case, I would advise you to have it checked out in more detail at a workshop, perhaps even at a specialized BMW workshop. They will be able to tell you more. And it's best to do it soon, so you don't get stuck somewhere. I hope that helps you a little. Good luck and let us know what it was!

(Translated from German)

Thank you very much for your detailed reply and advice! I will follow your advice and take the car to a specialized BMW workshop as soon as possible. Hopefully it's nothing too bad. And yes, I will definitely report back on what the inspection ultimately revealed. Thanks again for your help, you've really helped me out!

(Translated from German)

Hello, it is well known that a plastic gear in the transfer case of these vehicles breaks over time. There are many repair kits on the internet to replace the gear, just google it. However, it is important to note, especially with the BMW X-Drive, that the tread depths of the tires should not differ from front to rear, or max. 1 MM. Because if there is a large difference here, the transfer case works all the time and wears out faster. MFG

(Translated from German)