[Panchoa]

Hi guys

Car is coming up to 70k miles now and i know BMW say that the auto gearboxes are sealed for life but i would beg to differ so wanting to get the gearbox oil changed and probably do the diff oil at the same time.

Any recomendations for garages in Leicester or Nottingham who can do this job? Undertand its quite a sprecialised job and not for any old garage...!

[planemad]

https://www.zf.com/unitedkingdom/en_...ex.jsp#/search

[Soul_Glo]

There are no official ZF centres in the UK so unless you want to make a trip to Dortmund... your next best option is to use a FATE authorised garage in the UK.

http://www.fedauto.co.uk/

A FATE approved repair will provide a warranty and work will be done within guidelines e.g. ZF. This is different to a non-FATE regulated garage without stating the obvious. By following ZF advice the FATE garage will do it properly and this is as close as you can get to a ZF official service.

Some independent specialists are worth contacting because although not part of the FATE network an enthusiast likely knows the gearbox inside out. I have found that these are few and far between. I have only found one in Coventry years ago. There are probably more out there. He charged 340 and I supplied the oil. He provided the pan and filter and labour.

Lastly, some BMW garages offer this service. Mixed reviews and varied pricing. I once took an old E92 to Cooper Reading for an oil pan leak. They re-used the oil and told me there was no need for fresh oil at 43k miles. Within a month the gearbox required further work and Berry Chiswick balked about spent oil being used. The re-used oil was replaced. However, the dealer is not qualified to tear down and clean out the gearbox like ZF. They generally take a stance of replace and not repair.

So your options are change the oil, pan and, filter. Kits can be purchased from dealers or online. Via FATE, specialist or BMW.

Or

Go down the FATE route for a full gearbox service. This will cost a tad more as it is a gearbox out job and more cleaning is involved. I would recommend this route if you are experiencing any problems or approach 100k soon.

[Panchoa]

Originally Posted by planemad

https://www.zf.com/unitedkingdom/en_...ex.jsp#/search

Thanks buddy. There is a ZF service centre in nottingham so will give them a call tomorrow

[Panchoa]

Originally Posted by 37psi

There are no official ZF centres in the UK so unless you want to make a trip to Dortmund... your next best option is to use a FATE authorised garage in the UK.

http://www.fedauto.co.uk/

A FATE approved repair will provide a warranty and work will be done within guidelines e.g. ZF. This is different to a non-FATE regulated garage without stating the obvious. By following ZF advice the FATE garage will do it properly and this is as close as you can get to a ZF official service.

Some independent specialists are worth contacting because although not part of the FATE network an enthusiast likely knows the gearbox inside out. I have found that these are few and far between. I have only found one in Coventry years ago. There are probably more out there. He charged 340 and I supplied the oil. He provided the pan and filter and labour.

Lastly, some BMW garages offer this service. Mixed reviews and varied pricing. I once took an old E92 to Cooper Reading for an oil pan leak. They re-used the oil and told me there was no need for fresh oil at 43k miles. Within a month the gearbox required further work and Berry Chiswick balked about spent oil being used. The re-used oil was replaced. However, the dealer is not qualified to tear down and clean out the gearbox like ZF. They generally take a stance of replace and not repair.

So your options are change the oil, pan and, filter. Kits can be purchased from dealers or online. Via FATE, specialist or BMW.

Or

Go down the FATE route for a full gearbox service. This will cost a tad more as it is a gearbox out job and more cleaning is involved. I would recommend this route if you are experiencing any problems or approach 100k soon.

Thanks mate, although the ZF site seems to have service centres - are they not the same thing?

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

Thanks mate, although the ZF site seems to have service centres - are they not the same thing?

When I checked a month ago. None of the UK service centres were open to the public for service. You're welcome to check if things have changed. This would have been a massive deal if it had. ZF centres in the UK not offering oil change service? Confusing I know!

[Soul_Glo]

I emailed ZF UK to check if things have changed. Let's see what they say. I am on 58k miles and usually change gearbox oil between 60-80k miles.

[Soul_Glo]

Well they got back to me quickly. They now have a protech garage scheme. The garages have signed up for ZF training so it qualifies them to change oil etc. It's as close as you can get. They don't officially work for ZF but it is more like a franchise or partner with some ZF support. So none of the garages are official ZF sites like you find in Germany. Still good though.

[Panchoa]

Yeah just found the same thing too.

Contacted a garage ZF recommended and he’s saying to me that there is no need to change the sump, its a waste of momey, just change the oil and it will be fine. Any ideas?

[Panchoa]

Any suggestions for garages in leicester or nottignham fella’s?

[planemad]

Wonder how much it was cost to drive to Germany and have it done ?

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

Yeah just found the same thing too.

Contacted a garage ZF recommended and he’s saying to me that there is no need to change the sump, its a waste of momey, just change the oil and it will be fine. Any ideas?

Wouldn't trust him personally. Both BMW and ZF recommend changing the sump. The filter is built into it after all.

[MDP79]

Hi.
I’m new here but here’s what I’m happy to share with you all.
I’ve had my f30 320ds auto gearbox serviced recently. The difference is unbelievable.Smooth change , more power, or maybe just how it was meant to be 5 year ago.There’s a place in Potters Bar-London. I’m not here to advertise for no one but I’ve used them quite a few times in the past , for other cars ,and I’ve got to admit that they are very good at what they are doing.
It costed me 360, with the vat.

[Revoltos]

I used VMPT near Cannock who happen to be an authorised zf service centre. They also changed my diff oil on my request. At just over 50k they said my old fluid wasnt to bad. No sign of metal debris. After the service the box was so smooth and crisp and still is for that matter. No issues from me with those guys and I am a picky bugger when garages are concerned.

[jenshb]

Originally Posted by Revoltos

I used VMPT near Cannock who happen to be an authorised zf service centre. They also changed my diff oil on my request. At just over 50k they said my old fluid wasnt to bad. No sign of metal debris. After the service the box was so smooth and crisp and still is for that matter. No issues from me with those guys and I am a picky bugger when garages are concerned.

May I ask how much you paid for that service/oil and filter change?

[jimboss]

I’m getting my gearbox serviced next week at a local specialist with over 30yrs in the business - they service and rebuild 8zhp boxes and are using OEM zf kit to specific manufacturers guidelines.....that’s good enough for me for c£400+vat. I’ve done 45k miles.... fingers crossed! The issue lies with the term ‘lifetime’......zf says c. 80k Kms....but Bmw do not stipulate and say ‘sealed for life’ but what does that mean? 100k miles? 200k miles? 20yrs etc chances are if you left it that long the gearbox would be on its last knockings.....

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by jimboss

IÂ’m getting my gearbox serviced next week at a local specialist with over 30yrs in the business - they service and rebuild 8zhp boxes and are using OEM zf kit to specific manufacturers guidelines.....thatÂ’s good enough for me for c£400+vat. IÂ’ve done 45k miles.... fingers crossed! The issue lies with the term ‘lifetimeÂ’......zf says c. 80k Kms....but Bmw do not stipulate and say ‘sealed for lifeÂ’ but what does that mean? 100k miles? 200k miles? 20yrs etc chances are if you left it that long the gearbox would be on its last knockings.....

Whereabouts is that?

I had mine done around 60-70k IIRC, but will hit 120k by end of year so will be looking to get done again.
I was thinking ZF specialists may have other work they do as part of maintenance at that mileage, so worth knowing where some are.

[Soul_Glo]

A few off the PH forum recommended Stephens Engineering. I e-mailed and they wanted to speak over the phone to discuss things properly so I will call when I have a minute.

I think it will be cheaper to have it done in the UK but from someone who knows their stuff.

The closest I can think of to Leicester is Coventry. When I lived in Warwick I used Olympia Motors (chap named Jas). I supplied oil. He supplied the pan and filter kit. This was around 5 years ago.

I used Liqui Moly oil. Fantastic oil. Makes things a lot smoother especially when cold. No issues. I believe it may also be used in Mercs.

It is a straight forward process. You get your engine up to temp. The gearbox needs to be a specific temp for the best drain. They tilt the car and let it drip out over a few hours. Then when changed each gear is held for a certain amount of time. Gearbox adaptation are reset and off you go gently. It took around 4 hours.

[jimboss]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Whereabouts is that?

I had mine done around 60-70k IIRC, but will hit 120k by end of year so will be looking to get done again.
I was thinking ZF specialists may have other work they do as part of maintenance at that mileage, so worth knowing where some are.

Its in Hertford - called Trans-Fix

[Revoltos]

Originally Posted by jenshb

May I ask how much you paid for that service/oil and filter change?

It was just over 400 pound. I provided the diff oil and drain plug and they provided genuine ZF oil and the genuine ZF filter/pan.

[Ajs_435d]

Originally Posted by 37psi

A few off the PH forum recommended Stephens Engineering. I e-mailed and they wanted to speak over the phone to discuss things properly so I will call when I have a minute.

I think it will be cheaper to have it done in the UK but from someone who knows their stuff.

The closest I can think of to Leicester is Coventry. When I lived in Warwick I used Olympia Motors (chap named Jas). I supplied oil. He supplied the pan and filter kit. This was around 5 years ago.

I used Liqui Moly oil. Fantastic oil. Makes things a lot smoother especially when cold. No issues. I believe it may also be used in Mercs.

It is a straight forward process. You get your engine up to temp. The gearbox needs to be a specific temp for the best drain. They tilt the car and let it drip out over a few hours. Then when changed each gear is held for a certain amount of time. Gearbox adaptation are reset and off you go gently. It took around 4 hours.

Interesting I work in Warwick is this chap still going?

[jenshb]

Originally Posted by Revoltos

It was just over 400 pound. I provided the diff oil and drain plug and they provided genuine ZF oil and the genuine ZF filter/pan.

Thank you. Still got quite a few miles to go yet, but I like planning ahead