BMW autobox...change oil?

HappyAsLarE

Hi all,

I own a BMW 5 series auto with an 8 speed ZF automatic gearbox. Car is a 2012 with 170k kms.

I have heard conflicting stories on whether or not the oil is genuinely for life, or for just an inevitably shortened life due to lack of service!

Should I change the oil now?

And anybody got a recommendation of somewhere in Dublin to do such a service?

Thanks

mikeecho

It's something I've looked into, and it's expensive.

From other forums I've read, they recommend, that if changing tbe oil, ... drive for a few hundred miles, then change it again, this ensures that you get the most amount of metal shavings out.

Gear box oil is very expensive.


If it ain't broke.........

Leonard Hofstadter

Apparently the 8 speed auto really is 'sealed for life', as in there is no need to change the oil in it. It's a very robust gearbox and a big improvement on the older ZF automatics for reliability according to one of the BMW specialists I used in the UK.

It's also a lot more expensive to change the oil in it compared to the older ZF autos as well, so I'd be inclined to leave it be.

gctest50

"Life" = about 160,000 in their special language ( 'til the warranty runs out and it's not their problem any more )

One problem is bits of debris from the clutches will come down on to the labyrinth, mechatronics, speed sensor and the computer ( conveniently located in down in the sump of the gearbox to keep it cool and free from crap - oh wait.... )

Best thing is take it out, rip it to bits and check the clutches ( clutch housing can crack etc etc )

Really you need a powerflusher to wash the crap out of the hoses and the gearbox oil cooler - waste of time otherwise

rabbitinlights

Had this done on my E39 at around 80k miles and it made a big difference - really smoothed the gear changes, especially 1st and 2nd and pulling away. The mechanic flushed the gearbox to get the debris out of the catch bowl.

The same mechanic said not to touch the F10/F11 gearbox on my current car - much harder to do and much more sensitive to being opened - also the cost is way higher due to oil.

Foxhole Norman

I'd check ZF's recommendations. On my E39 BMW said it was sealed for life, yet ZF recommend a change every 60k.

Gravelly

"Sealed for life" gearboxes are exactly what they claim - sealed for life. The problem is that life is almost always much shorter than if the oil is changed. If you see what comes out of the average 100k+ gearbox when it's drained, you'd know why. Any secondhand auto I buy I always change the oil, regardless of the car marques claims - however dear the oil is, it'll still be cheaper than a reconditioned gearbox. Service intervals on many cars (BMW's in particular) are often decided more in the marketing department than the engineering department. I recommend changing it, and doing it in a busy BMW indy, where they will have done plenty of them before.

Guy:Incognito

mikeecho wrote: »

If it ain't broke.........

.......... It will eventually by running on manky old oil.


You could take that view with all preventative maintenance if you want. Nothing is broken till it breaks.

grogi

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

I have heard conflicting stories on whether or not the oil is genuinely for life, or for just an inevitably shortened life due to lack of service!

The oil is for life - if the gearbox fails, it is the end of the life of the car...

Voodoomelon

Fluid doesn't have to be expensive, the ZF lifeguard is silly money, about €250 for 10 litres.

Mannol do a trans fluid that matches the ZF spec, its printed on the side. A 10 litre drum is €60 out of Germany and i'm running on it the last 2 years.

listermint

No such thing as sealed for life, its not a factual term regardless of which manufacturer uses it.

Of course an oil change in the gearbox would refresh it, thats the point of oil changes.

ongarite

Its about €250 for the fluid and new gearbox filter/sump.
Plenty of videos on doing it on Youtube, if you have the correct equipment

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-ZF-GETRIEBE%C3%96LWANNE-BMW-GA8HP70Z-Filter-Dichtung-ZF-GETRIEBE%C3%96L-8L/121305618112

tmcdlk

I got the oil on my E92 330d changed two weeks ago and it has made a massive difference. Far smoother now when changing gears at speed and in traffic. Car has 94k miles and is a 6 speed ZF sealed for life box! Well worth the money on the ZF kit in my opinion especially if you plan on keeping the car.

Leonard Hofstadter

rabbitinlights wrote: »

The same mechanic said not to touch the F10/F11 gearbox on my current car - much harder to do and much more sensitive to being opened - also the cost is way higher due to oil.

This. Was told the same thing for the 8 speed auto. For anything else then it should be changed, although I have heard differing reports, some people claim that if it's gone beyond 100k miles without changing the oil then changing it does more harm than good (don't really understand why that is the case).

sunnysoutheast

It's not so much that the 8HP doesn't need fluid and filter changes it's more that it needs to be done properly and as far as I know it's a bit more involved than earlier boxes.

I couldn't find a ZF car service agent in Ireland. Bit surprising as it's fitted to so many cars nowadays. A BMW main dealer did say they serviced them but usually if there was a fault rather than routine. Cost a few bob too.

I think you can get them serviced at the factory which includes a tour, I'm sure there was a thread on this a while back or did I dream it.

Doltanian

I drove an E36 Autobox and never once changed the oil, the oil in the gearbox is 21 years old but running fine, it is truly sealed for life.

Guy:Incognito

Doltanian wrote: »

I drove an E36 Autobox and never once changed the oil, the oil in the gearbox is 21 years old but running fine, it is truly sealed for life.

Lots of people drive for years and never change their timing belts. Plenty don't break. Those are the chances you take.

Oil isn't magic. It degrades over time. If it didn't they'd have lifetime engine oil. It might be a heavier grade and not subject to as much stress in a gearbox , but it'll just last longer, not forever. I generally change the gear oil in manual cars I have at some stage during my ownership too.

Geartech

I recondition ZF automatic gearboxes in Wexford you do need to service your gearbox it will make a noticed difference to the way it works. Its a easy job just drain the oil remove and replace the sump and refill will lifeguard 8. Make sure you use a OE sump its made by filtran as I have seen aftermarket ones fail by sucking the filter gauze up into the pump. I would not be reconditioning half the ZF gearboxes I build if people would maintain them.