Just got a 1990 535i and problems...

I shouldn't be the one typing this. My husband should be. I will do my best to describe the problem though!!!

When the car is started it is fine. Sitting inthe driveway it shifts fine. Going down the road it is ok, for a little bit...then the transmission seems to slip. When trying to go up a hill, no shifting at all! It's like every gear is just gone. But if you shut the car off and restart it you get gears back again???

Anyone have any suggestions?

You may have "sport mode" engadged on your automatic tranny. Check your HUD on the bottom right corner, if it shows an "S" followed by a number (1-3) then you are in sport mode.

If it says S3 then you are lugging your car around in third gear. Not good on hills.

Also if your cars check engine light is on you can perform a "stomp test" to check the codes.

Here's the link:

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/trouble/engine_codes.htm

Hope that helps.

just wondering how much you bought it for and if you got it off a lot? have one myself love it but don't drive it much i just got a older jetta that ive been toying with my 535i is a 90 post the price or not and ill understand just want to know if you got a not so sweet deal i know the lots these days have let alot go with problems with no repreasontation of things that are wrong

Check that the transmission fluid is at the correct level. If you car don't have a dipstick for the trans, you will need to bring it in to the stealer.