So no one else is unaware.. here is the BMW defect announcement . SIB #24 07 03

[LipSmacknGOOd]

SIB 24 07 03 Feb 2004
Automatic Transmissions Service Engineering
___________________________________________________________________
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SIB24 07 03 dated December 2003

Subject
GM5: Delayed P to D Engagement on Cold Start

Model
E46 with GM5: 325iA, 325xiA, 325xiTA, 330xiA from 09/02 up to 12/03
E46 with GM5: 325CiA, 325CicA, 330iA, 330CiA, 330CicA, 325iTA, from 03/03 up to 12/03
E53 X5 3.0iA with GM5 from 09/02 up to 12/03
E83 X3 3.0iA with GM5 from introduction up to 12/03

Situation
Customer may complain of delayed P to D engagement (2 to 30 seconds) during the first cold start in the morning

Cause
Unfavorable tolerances of C1 clutch housing causing internal transmission pressure leak after extended (overnight) parking

Correction
ON A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT BASIS ONLY, after verifying the above mentioned situation,
REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE IMPROVED UNIT
For transmission replacement procedure refer to RA 24 00 048 found in BMW TIS.
Important
Gm5 automatic transmissions replaced under the terms of this Service Information DO NOT require any technical Hot Line authorization contact number.
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number Description Quantity
07 12 9 900 047 M12x1.5 self locking nut for output flange 3
24 00 7 515 157 GM5 trans for 325xiA/xiTA from 09/02 up to 03/03 1
24 00 7 523 279 GM5 trans for 325xiA/xiTA from 03/03 1
24 00 7 515 279 GM5 trans for 330xiA from 09/02 up to 03/03 1
24 00 7 523 281 GM5 trans for 330xiA from 03/03; and X3 3.0A 1
_________________________________________________________________



.
Contact BMW and ask why they have not contacted you about the above.

 

[bmwrocks]

Thanks for posting that. I will be taking it with me as backup when I bring it in for the new tranny.

So all the parts needed for a tranny replacement are 3 nuts and the transmission?

 

[coffee]

thanks for the info, i'll also pass it along