F90 M5 Comp Gearbox Oil Change Fiasco
Discussion
Does anyone have any experience in having a gearbox oil (and filter) change at any BMW dealership in the UK? It’s honestly been easier to get blood out of a stone than get a straight (unscripted) answer on this issue in my recent experience.
Since my current M5 Comp “Ultimate” Individual is likely to be the last (non-hybrid) variant that BMW produce, I’m planning on keeping it for the foreseeable future. It had its running in service on schedule, but at a recent fluid change (circa 6000 miles), the rear axle oil which was drained looked truly horrendous and has prompted me to give the car a thorough pre-emptive once over when it’s due it’s annual service.
However, the service staff I’ve spoken to keep reiterating that the gearbox is a “sealed unit” and the oil cannot be changed. Unless BMW have developed some ground-breaking oil which lasts forever and maintains its lubricant properties without degrading, I’m not inclined to believe that the gearbox oil is not a serviceable item. Ironically, ZF, who manufacture the gearbox, state categorically that the oil should be changed at certain intervals but the dealerships I’ve spoken to refute this. They will only change the oil “if there is a fault” and BMW GB tells them to…well I’d rather not run the gearbox to a point where I have to fork out several (tens of?) thousands to fit a new gearbox purely on account of defunct oil.
Has anyone got any advice on this predicament, given the fact that this gearbox is now being rolled out on all the new M-models as well?
Since my current M5 Comp “Ultimate” Individual is likely to be the last (non-hybrid) variant that BMW produce, I’m planning on keeping it for the foreseeable future. It had its running in service on schedule, but at a recent fluid change (circa 6000 miles), the rear axle oil which was drained looked truly horrendous and has prompted me to give the car a thorough pre-emptive once over when it’s due it’s annual service.
However, the service staff I’ve spoken to keep reiterating that the gearbox is a “sealed unit” and the oil cannot be changed. Unless BMW have developed some ground-breaking oil which lasts forever and maintains its lubricant properties without degrading, I’m not inclined to believe that the gearbox oil is not a serviceable item. Ironically, ZF, who manufacture the gearbox, state categorically that the oil should be changed at certain intervals but the dealerships I’ve spoken to refute this. They will only change the oil “if there is a fault” and BMW GB tells them to…well I’d rather not run the gearbox to a point where I have to fork out several (tens of?) thousands to fit a new gearbox purely on account of defunct oil.
Has anyone got any advice on this predicament, given the fact that this gearbox is now being rolled out on all the new M-models as well?
I’m sure I read somewhere that ZF state changing every 70k miles or every 8 years (might be imagining this!).
I’d asked this on my previous X5M and was told it’s a sump replacement and even then can only get 50% of the oil out.
Sounds like it’s not worth worrying about for many a year…….
I’d asked this on my previous X5M and was told it’s a sump replacement and even then can only get 50% of the oil out.
Sounds like it’s not worth worrying about for many a year…….
BMW will never change it.....If its out of warranty (or even still in) take it to a specialist and get them to do it... Redish Motorsport, Evolve etc
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
BMW won’t do it, and because they don’t do it they don’t have the experience or the right kit to do it properly in dealerships. So, I probably wouldn’t want them to do it.
It’s well known that the ZF-8 requires oil changes to avoid performance issues. There are independent places that do a proper flush of the system, but it requires the right machine to remove old oil, flush the system and refill. I’d do it at around 50k miles at the earliest.
It’s well known that the ZF-8 requires oil changes to avoid performance issues. There are independent places that do a proper flush of the system, but it requires the right machine to remove old oil, flush the system and refill. I’d do it at around 50k miles at the earliest.
Edited by 987Monkey on Wednesday 16th March 07:40
cossy400 said:
Search ZF specialist and talk to them.
BMWwould rather charge you for a box that's why.
Dartford transmissions get a good write up on the E60 forum I'm on if your in the area.
Thanks for your reply - I spoke to Swallows Jaguar who are a ZF specialist quite close to me and they certainly were more clued up and helpful than all the BMW dealers I've spoken to, to date! They do regularly carry out oil changes on Jaguars with the same gearbox, but it apparently entails doing a software reset and update after changing the oil, which requires the proprietary BMW diagnostic tool, so I guess I'm still stuck, unless I can find someone equipped with with ISTA, or a BMW independent who are willing to do it.BMWwould rather charge you for a box that's why.
Dartford transmissions get a good write up on the E60 forum I'm on if your in the area.
I've attached a photo of the condition of the rear axle oil from my car after 6000miles - it's bright silver and turbid. The car had its running in service on schedule at 1200miles where the oil would have been changed as well, so that's its condition after 4800miles of road use (fresh oil is clear and green in colour) - there is no way that these oils can be left for prolonged periods of time if like me, you intend to keep and enjoy the car for a good few years. I honestly never imagined the palaver I've faced for what on the face of it is a very simple request!
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