ZF Gearbox Oil Change at BMW dealer

[_Hoppers]

Has anbody managed to get an automatic gearbox oil change done at a BMW dealer? I've contacted my local dealer in York but they won't provide this service unless it's a repair!

[d_a_n1979]

Find a decent local indy that'll do it for you; I use Automatic Transmissions here in Preston

Grant really knows his stuff; not too far away, could be worth a road trip

[_Hoppers]

Autohaus Diagnostics in York seem to have a good reputation? One thing the service dept told me is that they have had customers with gearbox problems following an oil change, which is putting me off a little!

[Thats What She Said]

There is one school of thought (BMW) that says if it's working fine, leave it alone.

ZF on the other hand (who actually make the gearboxes) say they should be serviced every 80k or so.

I'd go with the manufacturers opinion rather than the retailers, and find a good indy.

[d_a_n1979]

Thats What She Said said:

There is one school of thought (BMW) that says if it's working fine, leave it alone.

ZF on the other hand (who actually make the gearboxes) say they should be serviced every 80k or so.

I'd go with the manufacturers opinion rather than the retailers, and find a good indy.

^^^

ZF recommend 60-80k miles max! Says a lot really...

[_Hoppers]

d_a_n1979 said:

Thats What She Said said:

There is one school of thought (BMW) that says if it's working fine, leave it alone.

ZF on the other hand (who actually make the gearboxes) say they should be serviced every 80k or so.

I'd go with the manufacturers opinion rather than the retailers, and find a good indy.

^^^

ZF recommend 60-80k miles max! Says a lot really...

Yep, mine's done 73k, I'm probably going to keep it for some years to come so I think it's worth doing. I've enquired with Autohaus for a price so I'll see what they com eback with. Preston is a bit far for me to go really.

[ucb]

_Hoppers said:

Yep, mine's done 73k, I'm probably going to keep it for some years to come so I think it's worth doing. I've enquired with Autohaus for a price so I'll see what they com eback with. Preston is a bit far for me to go really.

Interested to know what they quote as my F11 is at 70k miles

[d_a_n1979]

_Hoppers said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Thats What She Said said:

There is one school of thought (BMW) that says if it's working fine, leave it alone.

ZF on the other hand (who actually make the gearboxes) say they should be serviced every 80k or so.

I'd go with the manufacturers opinion rather than the retailers, and find a good indy.

^^^

ZF recommend 60-80k miles max! Says a lot really...

Yep, mine's done 73k, I'm probably going to keep it for some years to come so I think it's worth doing. I've enquired with Autohaus for a price so I'll see what they com eback with. Preston is a bit far for me to go really.

Yup; our new to us F31 has done 96k miles; so I'll be getting it booked in with Grant at Automatic Transmissions sometime mid tom late Feb when we're back from The Highlands

[mmm-five]

You could also use ZF's partner finder to find a ZF-approved service shop.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/s...

[_Hoppers]

mmm-five said:

You could also use ZF's partner finder to find a ZF-approved service shop.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/s...

Good shout, cheers

EDIT Enquiry sent to IVC in Leeds

Edited by _Hoppers on Friday 27th January 12:35

[manracer]

I am about to get my ZF8 speed serviced, I am using a BMW indy in Altrincham, curious what price you get quoted.

[ucb]

_Hoppers said:

Good shout, cheers

EDIT Enquiry sent to IVC in Leeds

Edited by _Hoppers on Friday 27th January 12:35

They are the closest to me too.
Actually DarlingtonBM who service my car said they could change the gearbox oil/service it, but I'm not sure if they actually mean a like for like service to the ZF Protech.
I'll be interested to hear how you get on as I'll be getting it done this summer once I can get my other car out of the garage

[_Hoppers]

ucb said:

_Hoppers said:

Good shout, cheers

EDIT Enquiry sent to IVC in Leeds

Edited by _Hoppers on Friday 27th January 12:35

They are the closest to me too.
Actually DarlingtonBM who service my car said they could change the gearbox oil/service it, but I'm not sure if they actually mean a like for like service to the ZF Protech.
I'll be interested to hear how you get on as I'll be getting it done this summer once I can get my other car out of the garage

IVC only do work on VW Audi as they don't have the BMW software!

Edited by _Hoppers on Friday 27th January 15:02

[_Hoppers]

Thats What She Said said:

There is one school of thought (BMW) that says if it's working fine, leave it alone.

This is exactly what BMW in York said

[General Price]

They need flushing,you can't get the oil out of the torque converter if it's just drained.

Google gearbox megaflush for more details.

[ucb]

Think I'll just take it to Nottingham ZF services when I'm passing one day....

[Court_S]

I’m going to do mine done this spring (ZF6 on 89k). There’s a place in Cannock, not far from me who are ZF approved. They quoted £450.

It’s a bit late, but I’ll stick to what ZF say.

OP, depending on where you are in the country, Williams Performance will be able to service it for you.

[rottenegg]

_Hoppers said:

Autohaus Diagnostics in York seem to have a good reputation? One thing the service dept told me is that they have had customers with gearbox problems following an oil change, which is putting me off a little!

If fresh oil - i.e. the same oil it was filled with at the factory - causes problems, I'd say the gearbox itself has issues, rather than new oil causing it. Either that or the job wasn't done properly, because it's quite the process.

Thats What She Said said:

There is one school of thought (BMW) that says if it's working fine, leave it alone.

Indeed. Why leave yourself open to warranty claims.

Thats What She Said said:

ZF on the other hand (who actually make the gearboxes) say they should be serviced every 80k or so.

And that is the 4th different mileage interval I've seen for the same gearbox!

I'm of the belief that fresh oil is always better than rotten old, burned out, aged oil regardless of what even the manufacturer says...... until they can prove to me scientifically and with evidence that said rotten old oil actually benefits a transmission!

[_Hoppers]

I'm in York. There is another garage in Huddersfield on ZF's website, I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but it looks a bit like a back street garage!?

[bigdom]

ucb said:

Think I'll just take it to Nottingham ZF services when I'm passing one day....

Needs to done when the gearbox is cold. One of mine is getting close to have it's 2nd flush in my ownership.

Having rebuilt a 7 series gearbox as the oil had gone off and lunched a few bits in the control valve body. I'll take the oil change service. It's a lot cheaper.

Before this became more common for indies to do in the UK, a trip to ZF in Dortmund used to be a popular trip across various forums.

Edited by bigdom on Friday 27th January 16:33