ZF 8sp Automatic - Service?
Discussion
Good afternoon,
I recently bought a BMW 330d with the ZF 8sp auto. I understand that BMW advise the ZF are sealed for life but I am keen to get the gearbox serviced, especially as ZF themselves advise a service interval. I nipped into my local dealership after I bought it but they said they’d not do the gearbox service because BMW say they’re sealed for life. This video shows that it is not a particularly hard job but I don’t have the tools so will need to find somebody to do it.
With the BMW dealerships reluctance to do this, I’d imagine that leaves the job to an independent which is fine but if anybody can share recommendations of independents that you’ve used, preferably in the South Yorkshire/Derbyshire area, that would be much appreciated. Thank you.
I recently bought a BMW 330d with the ZF 8sp auto. I understand that BMW advise the ZF are sealed for life but I am keen to get the gearbox serviced, especially as ZF themselves advise a service interval. I nipped into my local dealership after I bought it but they said they’d not do the gearbox service because BMW say they’re sealed for life. This video shows that it is not a particularly hard job but I don’t have the tools so will need to find somebody to do it.
With the BMW dealerships reluctance to do this, I’d imagine that leaves the job to an independent which is fine but if anybody can share recommendations of independents that you’ve used, preferably in the South Yorkshire/Derbyshire area, that would be much appreciated. Thank you.
I don't have any specific recommendation for garages in your region, but ZF have a list of authorised repair centres on their website.
https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/s...
This says Sheffield Gearboxes, Unit 14, Century Street, Sheffield, S9 5DX is probably the closest one to you.
However, if you want a ZF-owned service centre, then it's in Nottingham (Abbeyfield Road, Nottingham, NG7 2SX)
https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/s...
This says Sheffield Gearboxes, Unit 14, Century Street, Sheffield, S9 5DX is probably the closest one to you.
However, if you want a ZF-owned service centre, then it's in Nottingham (Abbeyfield Road, Nottingham, NG7 2SX)
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 7th March 17:44
mmm-five said:
I don't have any specific recommendation for garages in your region, but ZF have a list of authorised repair centres on their website.
https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/s...
This says Sheffield Gearboxes, Unit 14, Century Street, Sheffield, S9 5DX is probably the closest one to you.
However, if you want a ZF-owned service centre, then it's in Nottingham (Abbeyfield Road, Nottingham, NG7 2SX)
Thank you. I didn’t realise that you could look at ZF’s website for authorised repair centres.https://aftermarket.zf.com/en/aftermarket-portal/s...
This says Sheffield Gearboxes, Unit 14, Century Street, Sheffield, S9 5DX is probably the closest one to you.
However, if you want a ZF-owned service centre, then it's in Nottingham (Abbeyfield Road, Nottingham, NG7 2SX)
Edited by mmm-five on Monday 7th March 17:44
SteBrown91 said:
I believe darkside developments in Barnsley can do ZF services
Ah, good shout. I’ve seen their videos on YouTube before but wonder whether my car would stay stock if I took it there! 
I rang a 'specialist' this week regarding a couple of things, servicing etc, when I mentioned the gearbox service the guy on the phone (while eating his lunch) said 'service the gearbox?, nah mate they don't need servicing, sealed for life them mate'
I said if they are sealed for life why do they have a fill plug a drain plug and a removable sump/filter? Why does the manufacturer, ZF, recommend getting the box serviced?
My car has one general service hand written in the service book where all the rest are stamped by the supplying dealer, this made me suspect that some person along the line has missed a service and just written it in.
The guy I was on the phone to thought I wanted the book stamping which he refused to do. This is not what I was getting at at all, I was bothered that the car had gone too long between services.
The conversation was going nowhere so I will keep looking for somewhere to service it.
I have contacted the supplying dealer for any service records they have.
I said if they are sealed for life why do they have a fill plug a drain plug and a removable sump/filter? Why does the manufacturer, ZF, recommend getting the box serviced?
My car has one general service hand written in the service book where all the rest are stamped by the supplying dealer, this made me suspect that some person along the line has missed a service and just written it in.
The guy I was on the phone to thought I wanted the book stamping which he refused to do. This is not what I was getting at at all, I was bothered that the car had gone too long between services.
The conversation was going nowhere so I will keep looking for somewhere to service it.
I have contacted the supplying dealer for any service records they have.
I can recommend this garage - http://www.newhallsheffield.com/. They serviced / repaired a leak on my ZF box and do all my servicing now mine is out of warranty.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thank you, I had expected that sort of cost for the job to be fair as when I was doing my research prior to buying my car, I found that an independent in Reading itemised it as a specific service that they offer. However, they’re a bit far so I had looked at independent garages which that are closer to me, hence the topic. I appreciate all of the replies thus far. Thank you.
Have you tried googling “ bmw zf8 gearbox service” ?
http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/bmw-zf-8-speed-g...
http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/bmw-zf-8-speed-g...
OP
I have an older BMW with a ZF 6 speed. These are also sealed for life but I had it serviced snd it definitely felt better afterwards. I paid to have this done by a BMW specialist and it cost around 400. This was 5 years ago now. It involved a new plastic sump pan and new fluid. Not sure what else was required.
I also own a Porsche with a PDK flappy paddle type gearbox. I believe it contains ZF bits and pieces bit it's very different to a true auto. Anyway the reason I mention the Porsche is to point out that they are not that difficult to work with. I ended up dropping the fluids - it takes 2 types - and refilling it myself on more than one occasion. Now everything you read on the Internet will tell you not to touch these or if you do you need to get them up to temp and then use a special Porsche computer system to talk to the gearbox and perform some magic to ensure the fluid is filled to the correct level. That might be true in some scenarios but I didn't do any of that and my gearbox is fine and works fine.
So if I had my time again - I may renew the fluid in my ZF 6 speed again at some point - I would keep it simple. I would try to pull the old fluid out via the dip stick or the fill plug or just wherever I can get access. I would use a pump to drawer ot out if there is no drain plug. Then I would just top up with fresh fluid until it starts to dribble out the fill plug just like every other gearbox seems to work in the world. This I could do for the price of some fluid - definitely not 600 to 800 quid.
If you want to be a bit more careful you could measure the amount you suck out and replace a similar amount. Now this DIY method might not be perfect and might not get all the old fluid out but it makes financial sense if you ask me. And a bit of new fluid mixed in with a bit of old is surely better than just using the old fluid. Hopefully some food for thought.
I have an older BMW with a ZF 6 speed. These are also sealed for life but I had it serviced snd it definitely felt better afterwards. I paid to have this done by a BMW specialist and it cost around 400. This was 5 years ago now. It involved a new plastic sump pan and new fluid. Not sure what else was required.
I also own a Porsche with a PDK flappy paddle type gearbox. I believe it contains ZF bits and pieces bit it's very different to a true auto. Anyway the reason I mention the Porsche is to point out that they are not that difficult to work with. I ended up dropping the fluids - it takes 2 types - and refilling it myself on more than one occasion. Now everything you read on the Internet will tell you not to touch these or if you do you need to get them up to temp and then use a special Porsche computer system to talk to the gearbox and perform some magic to ensure the fluid is filled to the correct level. That might be true in some scenarios but I didn't do any of that and my gearbox is fine and works fine.
So if I had my time again - I may renew the fluid in my ZF 6 speed again at some point - I would keep it simple. I would try to pull the old fluid out via the dip stick or the fill plug or just wherever I can get access. I would use a pump to drawer ot out if there is no drain plug. Then I would just top up with fresh fluid until it starts to dribble out the fill plug just like every other gearbox seems to work in the world. This I could do for the price of some fluid - definitely not 600 to 800 quid.
If you want to be a bit more careful you could measure the amount you suck out and replace a similar amount. Now this DIY method might not be perfect and might not get all the old fluid out but it makes financial sense if you ask me. And a bit of new fluid mixed in with a bit of old is surely better than just using the old fluid. Hopefully some food for thought.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
No not interestedI read all the same stories about my PDK box. Getting it up to temp and then using the specific routine in the PWIS Porsche specific diagnostic type software which runs through various routines in the box to activate all gears and make sure fluid is pushed round the whole system. I have no idea if the PDK box is as complicated or not. General fear mongering because the box is sealed from Porsche and unrepairable so replacement is of the whole box and costs 6 grand plus vat. I was a bit more gung ho because my car was crash damaged and I didn't really care about it so just wanted to know if it would work again or if it was toast. Long story short it is all working fine now. Some gearbox shops refused to even look at the car when it spring a leak quoting the same as earlier - the box is sealed from Porsche and unrepairable so replacement is of the whole box and costs 6 grand plus vat. Do you really think there is no way to top up the fluid without all that mumbo jumbo. Do you really think a Gearbox manufacturer would make it so complicated.
We could all take the posts on various internet forums as gospel, or we could just see what the official ZF service information page says...
https://aftermarket.zf.com/remotemedia/si-service-...
https://aftermarket.zf.com/sea/en/aftermarket-port...
https://aftermarket.zf.com/remotemedia/si-service-...
https://aftermarket.zf.com/sea/en/aftermarket-port...
I booked it in weeks ago to have the auto box serviced on my 530d, the day finally came, I used CAL Trans, Denton, Manchester.
Very happy with their work, he showed me the pan/filter and explained how it works, he said it was all good, no debris on the magnets etc.
Noticeably smoother changes now.
I commented on the fact hey had three Audis in, he just raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
Very happy with their work, he showed me the pan/filter and explained how it works, he said it was all good, no debris on the magnets etc.
Noticeably smoother changes now.
I commented on the fact hey had three Audis in, he just raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
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