I've got a '94 530 with about 95,000 miles, that shifts great when it is cold but as it warms up it starts to hesitate between 2nd and 3rd then bangs into 3rd with a sharp thud. If I let up on the gas while it is hesitating, it may go into 3rd more gently. I've had the problem for about 6 months. My regular BMW independent mechanic said that I need to have it rebuilt for about $2000. (He has been good but expensive). He rebuilt a friends 500 MB with the same problem and fixed it but she has more $$$ than I. A second mechanic (an excellent Fiat Lancia mechanic) said to try to change the tranny fluid several times over 1000 miles. It seemed to help but I still have the problem. The fluid was dark, dirty and burnt (I assume). Point 1: If this is such a common problem why don't the BMW mechanics recommend changing the fluid more often? Point 2: Is this a valvebody problem? 3: Will changing the fluid again help even more? 4: Is there a way to fix the problem for less than $2000. I'm in the Los Angeles -Pasadena area. 5: I would like to postpone the repair until I have more $$$. Will driving it gently now make it worse and a more costly repair in the future? Any comments are greatly appreciated. (
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