Anyone had their BMW auto gearbox oil changed?

[matt uk]

As per the title really.

I know it says sealed for life, but that can't be right.

I'm running a 2002 e39 530i auto with 80k on the clock and looking in to getting this done this done.

[Hammerhead]

Yup, me last week, though it was also in for a transmission leak that needed to be fixed. Seems a bit smoother though not by a massive amount.

(01' 540i with 77k)

[dave_s13]

Check this out

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361

Complicated aren't they!!

Decent DIY guide, ig you can be ar$ed

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=65...

[richyb]

A thread not long ago about it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[matt uk]

Thanks for the links guys, I'll have a read this evening.

richyb, did you decide to get the 740 booked in for this in the end?

[richyb]

I spoke to a local transmission specialist and he was going to get back to me with a price. Of course he bloody didn't get back to me so its gone no further (I've not chased him either to be fair). I'm going to chase it up soon. I am very keen to get it done as it makes sense but its price dependent. Above £300 will make me think twice (I know this is nothing compared to the price of a new box but its a bargain barge so chancing it its always key!)

[matt uk]

I'm going to look into prices over the next few weeks. I'll post what I find on here.

[Chester Drawers]

I'm going to be taking a trek to ZF to get my gearbox fluid renewed, the change is getting a wee bit clunky sometimes but then car has done 210,000km now

[eliot]

Had mine changed last week becuase I'm getting a squealing sound on the 1-2 change when cold. I assumed it was low oil or blocked filter causing cavitation in the pump - Didn't fix that particular problem sadly. But the oil needed doing (540, 92k).

[Blue Tuscan]

I rang the ZF place up north they don't offer the gearbox service was told to try their agent in Croydon. They were only going to change the filter & few litres of oil. In the end I took it to ZF in Dortmund in Germany.
In my view the best place to go.

The gear change is so smooth even the steptronic shift is perfect.
After wards I had an good blast on the autobarn, The nurburgring is another 100 miles from there if anyone is feeling adventurous.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361/

[dave_s13]

Blue Tuscan said:

I rang the ZF place up north they don't offer the gearbox service was told to try their agent in Croydon. They were only going to change the filter & few litres of oil. In the end I took it to ZF in Dortmund in Germany.
In my view the best place to go.

The gear change is so smooth even the steptronic shift is perfect.
After wards I had an good blast on the autobarn, The nurburgring is another 100 miles from there if anyone is feeling adventurous.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361/

I already posted your link above.

It's a feck of a long way to go (from Leeds) for a gearbox service. You seem to have got the best possible attention though and 300 odd euro is a steal for the level of attention.

In fact if anyones GB ever goes pop I wonder if it would be cheaper, and better, to get your car transported to germany?

They're a mind boggling bit of engineering aren't they?

Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 18th April 23:32

[richyb]

dave_s13 said:

They're a mind boggling bit of engineering aren't they?

Even glancing at it I feel confused. Its prompted me to get in touch with ZF in Croydon. I am keen to have it done so will see what prices are like.

[Chester Drawers]

Blue Tuscan said:

I rang the ZF place up north they don't offer the gearbox service was told to try their agent in Croydon. They were only going to change the filter & few litres of oil. In the end I took it to ZF in Dortmund in Germany.
In my view the best place to go.

The gear change is so smooth even the steptronic shift is perfect.
After wards I had an good blast on the autobarn, The nurburgring is another 100 miles from there if anyone is feeling adventurous.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361/

Dortmund is where I'll be taking my BMW for an oil change, they really know what they're doing and the price is pretty reasonable too. I've heard very good reports about the much improved shift style post oil change so this job is high on my agenda as the gear change in my steptronic unit is getting a little jerky at times.

[stevesuk]

Its a shame there's nowhere in the UK you can get that kind of proper gearbox service carried out for similar money

I wonder how much of an impact driving condition and style have on the life of the oil and the state of the box? My 320CI auto was first registered in January 2003, but has done 108k miles. The box still seems fautless at the moment, and I suspect that the vast majority of its miles have been with the autobox sat in top gear on the motorway.

My theory is that this might mean the internals of the box are in a similar state to a car with half the milage, but having spent its life driving around town. But it may not be as simple as that I suppose!

[dave_s13]

richyb said:

dave_s13 said:

They're a mind boggling bit of engineering aren't they?

Even glancing at it I feel confused. Its prompted me to get in touch with ZF in Croydon. I am keen to have it done so will see what prices are like.

What have the Croyden lot had to say for themselves then?

[oktapod]

I'm planning to get my auto box on the 330Ci done a week on Friday. I'm planning on booking it in tomorrow, but they quoted roughly £120-£140 for a drain, diagnostics, new filter and new oil, plus the associated measuring and level checking. Car would be in a day.

This is with a FATE-registered specialist in Edinburgh.

I've no real complaints about the auto box in the car, but as it's done 103k I reckon I would rather not take the chance of it failing on me, but equally wouldn't trust anyone but a specialist to look at it... consider it an investment in the lifetime of the car.

[john_p]

It's amazing that that service was €350, I'd pay that like a shot if it was local.

Shame driving to Dortmund is so far! 750 miles round trip..

Hmm maybe that's not TOO bad

[simon768622]

Blue Tuscan said:

I rang the ZF place up north they don't offer the gearbox service was told to try their agent in Croydon. They were only going to change the filter & few litres of oil. In the end I took it to ZF in Dortmund in Germany.
In my view the best place to go.

The gear change is so smooth even the steptronic shift is perfect.
After wards I had an good blast on the autobarn, The nurburgring is another 100 miles from there if anyone is feeling adventurous.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/527361/

I'm thinking of doing this soon, did you just contact the guy mentioned on the bimmerboard forum post to arrange?? Does he speak English? Thanks

Edited by simon768622 on Tuesday 21st April 15:45

[ASR1]

Alternatively you could buy a BMW insured warranty (£30-40 a month?) and have the peace of mind knowing that if the tranny goes it's all covered.

[richyb]

ASR1 said:

Alternatively you could buy a BMW insured warranty (£30-40 a month?) and have the peace of mind knowing that if the tranny goes it's all covered.

Do these warranties cover cars with 100k+ mileage? I didn't think they did and TBH you'd only be changing the transmission oil from that point onwards.