The General Motors 5L50E 5-speed automatic transmission was produced in France from 1998 to 2007 and installed in high-performance BMW models under the A5S390R designation. This automatic transmission, designated M22 and MV3, was also installed in the Cadillac XLR, STS, and the first SRX.
Specifications
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Type of drive | rear / all wheel |
| Engine volume, l | up to 4.6 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 422 |
| Recommended oil | Dexron VI |
| Oil capacity, liter | 8.9 |
| Partial replacement, liter | 6.0 |
| Maintenance | every 60 000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~250 000 km |
| Weight, kg | 82.5 |
Gear ratios GM 5L50E
Using the 2004 Cadillac XLR with a 4.6-liter engine as an example:
| Main | 2.93 |
| 1st | 3.42 |
| 2nd | 2.21 |
| 3rd | 1.60 |
| 4th | 1.00 |
| 5th | 0.75 |
| Reverse | 3.03 |
Using
The transmission was installed on:
- Cadillac SRX I (GMT265) in 2003 – 2006;
- Cadillac STS I (GMX295) in 2004 – 2007;
- Cadillac XLR I (GMX215) in 2003 – 2006;
- BMW 3-Series E46 in 1999 – 2006;
- BMW 5-Series E39 in 1998 – 2003;
- BMW X3-Series E83 in 2003 – 2004;
- BMW X5-Series E53 in 2001 – 2003.
Disadvantages of the GM 5L50 gearbox
- Early-model automatic transmissions were prone to problems due to faulty thermostats;
- High temperatures can cause rubberized pistons to peel off, causing pressure in the transmission packages to drop;
- The torque converter is a weak point in this series of automatic transmissions; it doesn’t tolerate high-speed driving;
- During vigorous driving, its clutch quickly wears out and contaminates the solenoid block;
- Vibrations usually follow, followed by bushing wear and severe oil leaks;
- The petal-type oil pump also doesn’t tolerate prolonged high-speed driving;
- Also worth noting are the hydraulic accumulator bushings and springs, which aren’t the most durable.
