Desperately Seeking Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried to start my X5 4.4 2001 today and as soon as I turned the key in the ignition and the trans. failsafe prog bleeped - and wouldn't allow the car to even start. The only way that the car would start was by putting it in Neutral and then it would start but as soon as I put the car in park it went back into the failsafe prog.

Can anyone give me any advice??

Is it going to be expensive???

There is a problem with your automatic gearbox.

It could be expensive, depending on what's wrong.  It sounds like there is an electrical problem rather than a mechanical problem.

You should be able to drive the car but only in 3rd and or 4th gear.  You will still have reverse.  The only place you are going to drive it to is an automatic transmission specialist.  A tranny specialist will be able to correctly diagnose the fault and repair it for you.

Do not take the car to a BMW dealer nor a local independant as chances are (well defo in the formers case) they will not be able to help you.  Yes they can swap in and out automatic gearboxes but they cannot repair them.  A tranny specialist will be able to help you. 

Until it is correctly diagnosed by a specialist then any attempt to find the fault will be purely guess work.

Keep us posted.

Andrew