N55 service. Oil recommendation and ZF8 service kit

[Gad-Westy]

I'm going to service my F11 535i.

Anybody have any particular recommendations for engine oil type or anything to be wary of?

I also thought it would be a good time to service the ZF8 box. Not a full flush but I'll do the pan and most of the oil. Again, recommendations for a kit would be much appreciated.

[d_a_n1979]

You can get the full official ZF8 service kit via Autodoc IIRC (as an example): https://www.autodoc.co.uk/zf-getriebe/8817964?utm_...

Some on eBay UK also and via the likes of Performance M etc: https://performancem.co.uk/choose-your-car/bmw/1-s...

Re engine oil; as long as it meeds BMWs LL04 specs, use whatever you want; just keep it fresh. That and a decent filter (Mann, Mahle, Hengst, OEM BMW etc) and away you go... I tend to use oils from Millers/Fuchs/Liqui Moly etc and have used Triple QX and Mannol in the past with zero issues

[Gad-Westy]

Cheers Dan. The autodoc kit looks a good option.

Have you done a ZF8 filter/oil change before? I've not but watching a couple of videos on youtube it doesn't look too big a job. As ever with these things, it looks like getting the car in the air and then crawling underneath will probably be my biggest challenge. I hope.....

[d_a_n1979]

Gad-Westy said:

Cheers Dan. The autodoc kit looks a good option.

Have you done a ZF8 filter/oil change before? I've not but watching a couple of videos on youtube it doesn't look too big a job. As ever with these things, it looks like getting the car in the air and then crawling underneath will probably be my biggest challenge. I hope.....

I haven't squire; I'm getting Grant & his lads at Automatic Transmissions, Preston to do mine when I've got time to think...

He did all my E39s and my previous F01; they're ZF specialists so best left to them to do... No chance you're getting me wedged under the car to do it haha

[ucb]

Gad-Westy said:

Cheers Dan. The autodoc kit looks a good option.

Have you done a ZF8 filter/oil change before? I've not but watching a couple of videos on youtube it doesn't look too big a job. As ever with these things, it looks like getting the car in the air and then crawling underneath will probably be my biggest challenge. I hope.....

Isn't that always the way with YT though?

"This job is dead simple with just 3 tools required...."
Yeah, and a 4 post lift, disposal equipment, indoor coverage, a range of tools for when it doesn't go as per the video and also when you find out that the manufacturer changed the spec of items halfway through the build cycle...

FWIW I had Austrin in Newcastle change my ZF transmission fluid.

[Court_S]

Williams Performance sell the ZF kits too, but I’m not sure how their prices compare to AUTODOC.

Having helped with a ZF6, I’d be happy to take it to a garage to be honest. It’s a horrible job to do on the drive.