Expert: Don Berlan - 8/21/2006

Question
1999 BMW 523i Automatic.
When I start the car it runs fine, especially in the morning. When I go to drive it later it automatically goes into 3rd gear and stays there for the rest of the day.  

Answer
With the transmissions now days they are becoming more and more electrical.The transmission shifting is done automatically with servos and to add to the problem they have made them with"lifetime fluid" so there is no transmission service required.This causes many problems and this is one.Using a scan tool you would be able to determine exactly what it is for a fault.
There is a soleniod or servo that is sticking,which or what I am unabe to help you.Take it to a known good transmission shop and see what they say.Unfortunately they might say its time for a transmission.