Please could anyone help....I have an X5, 3.0d sport (55 reg) and recently it's been displaying failsafe transmission message on computer, once this displays after accelerating, the car comes to a stand still. The car is now stuck in 3rd gear and the error message is permanently displayed.

Does anyone have an ideas?

Find a good Independent or Transmission specialist (someone with Autlogic or BMW software) and get the gearbox codes read. That will tell more. It could be as simple as a transmission oil and filter change, or a complete rebuild. Don't want to scare you but a rebuild will be around £2k (unless you can DIY)

BMW will just want to fit a new box and not even investigate sadly, do you have a Warranty?

Hi My gearbox fail safe came on about six months ago and was loosing drive after coming off a motorway or fast road, Then was sticking in 3rd, So i took it to a transmission specialist in Morley near Leeds, They took the gearbox out re conditioned it and fit a new torque converter, All the lot for £1200 and it is like a new car now, Hope this helps if you want the garages number then get back to me and i will sort that out for you, Kind regards Nigel.

Read this thread Nigel seems to have had a good result with his repair. Be prepared for a fat bill though

Can anyone help, I've got the same message and symptoms. Does anyone know any reliable specialists local to burton on Trent or uttoxeter area. Or has anyone else came across another solution?