review ZF Service

[Salt]

Had the car in for the gearbox service last week. Was at the Germiston branch. Excellent service. Took all of 2 hours. And there is a quiet place to sit and work from. The technician was really exceptional. His people skills and knowledge was fantastic. From drawing pictures to explaining everything to me in detail ensured I understood what he has done, what the results meant and what he was going to do next. He also called me to show me more screws missing from the bottom cover after being at the dealer for service...not the first time either but he sourced some and sorted it out for me. Happy to know my box is healthy too and has brand new oil and filter in. Worth the money. Remember, it's not just the diagnostics and oil you get, but a brand new sump with filter in it. It's not just an oil change.

 

[Holiman]

Good to know the gearbox is good. I'm going through a gearbox rebuild and that is not fun at all. But I know at the end of it all, it will come back bullet proof because of the upgrade clutch packs.

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[Pisancho]

Had the car in for the gearbox service last week. Was at the Germiston branch. Excellent service. Took all of 2 hours. And there is a quiet place to sit and work from. The technician was really exceptional. His people skills and knowledge was fantastic. From drawing pictures to explaining everything to me in detail ensured I understood what he has done, what the results meant and what he was going to do next. He also called me to show me more screws missing from the bottom cover after being at the dealer for service...not the first time either but he sourced some and sorted it out for me. Happy to know my box is healthy too and has brand new oil and filter in. Worth the money. Remember, it's not just the diagnostics and oil you get, but a brand new sump with filter in it. It's not just an oil change.

You took it to ZF? How much was it? Should be the same give or take as I have a ZF8HP45

 

[M3boi]

I have the E90 booked in for the gearbox service at ZF early next month, looking forward to seeing if there's a noticeable difference.

Mate of mine took his F32 in 2 weeks ago and said it was worth doing.

 

[///Herbie]

I have the E90 booked in for the gearbox service at ZF early next month, looking forward to seeing if there's a noticeable difference.

Mate of mine took his F32 in 2 weeks ago and said it was worth doing.

What was the outcome and cost?

 

[maleven-GP]

Good to know the gearbox is good. I'm going through a gearbox rebuild and that is not fun at all. But I know at the end of it all, it will come back bullet proof because of the upgrade clutch packs.

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I'm faced with a possible rebuild on my 125i, can I contact you for advice?

 

[Ruben_Visagie]

Had the car in for the gearbox service last week. Was at the Germiston branch. Excellent service. Took all of 2 hours. And there is a quiet place to sit and work from. The technician was really exceptional. His people skills and knowledge was fantastic. From drawing pictures to explaining everything to me in detail ensured I understood what he has done, what the results meant and what he was going to do next. He also called me to show me more screws missing from the bottom cover after being at the dealer for service...not the first time either but he sourced some and sorted it out for me. Happy to know my box is healthy too and has brand new oil and filter in. Worth the money. Remember, it's not just the diagnostics and oil you get, but a brand new sump with filter in it. It's not just an oil change.

What was the cost of your service?
Thanks

 

[Salt]

What was the cost of your service?
Thanks

Don't recall bud

 

[boost3d]

What was the cost of your service?
Thanks

They currently running a special R5800 ex vat

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

They currently running a special R5500 ex vat

Damn cheap...

 

[ColinvS]

They currently running a special R5800 ex vat

Definitely worth it as it is a fraction of the cost of a rebuilt gearbox. They recommend the oil be changed every 80 000km (if you tow a lot) to 120 000 km - I go with 100 000km as that is safely in the middle. Plus they do a free diagnostic on the gearbox to check filling times and pressures.

If it is too far out of spec (if the gearbox is say on 250k km and still has the original oil or someone has put in the wrong oil) then they won't do the service as the clean fresh oil will make it start to slip sooner.

So best to have it serviced at least every 100k km imo.

 

[PsyCLown]

Definitely worth it as it is a fraction of the cost of a rebuilt gearbox. They recommend the oil be changed every 80 000km (if you tow a lot) to 120 000 km - I go with 100 000km as that is safely in the middle. Plus they do a free diagnostic on the gearbox to check filling times and pressures.

If it is too far out of spec (if the gearbox is say on 250k km and still has the original oil or someone has put in the wrong oil) then they won't do the service as the clean fresh oil will make it start to slip sooner.

So best to have it serviced at least every 100k km imo.

My friend took his 240i to ZF for a gearbox service and for the diff oil to be replaced, he is on 90k km and still under motorplan. However some of his figures were slightly above where they'd like it to be and since his car is over 5 years old with the original battery the technician said it is likely caused by the battery being degrade and not being able to provide the mechatronic solenoids with enough power which can cause wear on the gearbox and also lead to the pressure and fill rates drifting upwards.
The condition of the oil in his gearbox is still great though they said.

After installing a new battery and driving for a bit, the pressure and fill rates could come down. I found this interesting as I would imagine the power required by the solenoids to be minimal and that the alternator would provide sufficient power. I would never have imagined an older battery to potentially cause damage to a gearbox...


With the 6HP boxes, 150k km might be too high mileage for the gearbox service to be carried out. With the 8HP boxes they can be taken to higher mileage and still have the service carried out but 150k km is still pushing it and you're likely exceeding some of the limits. Apparently they have done the service on 8HP boxes with around 180k km on them though. With the 8HP they recommend every 80k km to 100k km and suggest doing it sooner than later (so closer to 80k).

I guess it is very dependent on how the vehicle was driven.

 

[MoeM2]

Found this topic rather interesting. Was driving back from the coast with the Q7 and was so impressed at how telepathic the gearbox feels on the car - did a google search and discovered that these are also fitted with ZF 8 speed.

The Q7 is reaching the 110k mark now and I have extended the Audi freeway plan but am considering taking it in for the gearbox service.

Is ZF based in Germiston? Are they affiliated in anyway to the actual ZF gearbox manufacturer or is this a specialist gearbox shop that has named themselves ZF? Just curious more than anything.


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[///M Individual]

Found this topic rather interesting. Was driving back from the coast with the Q7 and was so impressed at how telepathic the gearbox feels on the car - did a google search and discovered that these are also fitted with ZF 8 speed.

The Q7 is reaching the 110k mark now and I have extended the Audi freeway plan but am considering taking it in for the gearbox service.

Is ZF based in Germiston? Are they affiliated in anyway to the actual ZF gearbox manufacturer or is this a specialist gearbox shop that has named themselves ZF? Just curious more than anything.


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Interesting, thought Audi's would have had the DSG box.

The ZF in Germiston is affiliated to the actual gearbox manufacturer and the official agent for the brand in SA.

 

[M3boi]

Found this topic rather interesting. Was driving back from the coast with the Q7 and was so impressed at how telepathic the gearbox feels on the car - did a google search and discovered that these are also fitted with ZF 8 speed.

The Q7 is reaching the 110k mark now and I have extended the Audi freeway plan but am considering taking it in for the gearbox service.

Is ZF based in Germiston? Are they affiliated in anyway to the actual ZF gearbox manufacturer or is this a specialist gearbox shop that has named themselves ZF? Just curious more than anything.


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I also find the ZF8 in the Q7 VERY good.

 

[MoeM2]

Interesting, thought Audi's would have had the DSG box.

The ZF in Germiston is affiliated to the actual gearbox manufacturer and the official agent for the brand in SA.

Audi has/had three gearboxes that I recall-
Multitronic which is essentially CVT (stay away in my view), traditional auto box and DSG.
The Q7 comes with a ZF 8 speed. Also not all have air suspension - I hunted for one that ticked all my boxes especially no air due to cost later in its life.

That’s for the feedback- will book the Q7 in with them


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[330DF30KJRaman]

Good day all, quick question - I have a '17 F3- 320D A/T , with 211 000kms on the clock. I just booked my vehicle in at ZF for a gearbox service (R7700). They had indicated that they will first have to a check on the gearbox as this service is supposed to be done at 80 000kms intervals. I bought the vehicle at 143 000kms, curious as to whether BMW would have recommended that the previous owner do the gearbox service as he had only serviced the vehicle at BMW, and whether I can check in on the service history if this was done?

 

[zabbo]

My 2013 F30 320iA was serviced by BMW in plan and then by a reputable mechanic thereafter and nobody ever mentioned the gearbox service until I saw it mentioned here.
I took mine to ZF in Cape Town in December with 178xxxkm on the clock, tuned and driven hard regularly. They first ran diagnostics and then performed the service. No issues but reminded me to service the box regularly (80 to 100 000km intervals) going forward.

Service provided was excellent here in Stikland (Cape Town).

 

[330DF30KJRaman]

My 2013 F30 320iA was serviced by BMW in plan and then by a reputable mechanic thereafter and nobody ever mentioned the gearbox service until I saw it mentioned here.
I took mine to ZF in Cape Town in December with 178xxxkm on the clock, tuned and driven hard regularly. They first ran diagnostics and then performed the service. No issues but reminded me to service the box regularly (80 to 100 000km intervals) going forward.

Service provided was excellent here in Stikland (Cape Town).

Hi Zabbo, awesome, thank you for the response. Hoping my advanced KM's don't result in any issues, I will find out next week when the vehicle goes in. ZF here in Gauteng recommended service every 80 000kms, but I see in the US it is recommended at 100 000 Miles (160 000kms),

 

[ColinvS]

Good day all, quick question - I have a '17 F3- 320D A/T , with 211 000kms on the clock. I just booked my vehicle in at ZF for a gearbox service (R7700). They had indicated that they will first have to a check on the gearbox as this service is supposed to be done at 80 000kms intervals. I bought the vehicle at 143 000kms, curious as to whether BMW would have recommended that the previous owner do the gearbox service as he had only serviced the vehicle at BMW, and whether I can check in on the service history if this was done?

It's unlikely the gearbox would have been serviced as there is some misinformation floating around as they are advertised as having lifetime oil. Unfortunately the definition of lifetime in this case is around 100 000km.

Let them do the diagnostics as you can get lucky as I have heard of cars with around 200k km being serviced at ZF with no issues - they will tell you if it is possible or not.

I understand there was a customer with a gearbox that was way out of spec who insisted on it being serviced and by the time he had driven to the ZF gate the gearbox was slipping (as the new clean oil has a cleansing agent).

Let us know how it goes. I usually buy the diff oil and they do that change free of charge while they service the gearbox (some of the newer BMWs don't have diff drain plugs so the old oil needs to be sucked out and then refilled).