[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by ctcarbonari

It is not difficult; however, the ZF procedures are very specific re: the secondary fill process at temperature (i.e. topping off to proper level)

What makes this service a bit of a burden for the average weekend DIYer is the step where you need to have the car Lifted - Level - and Running & then cycling thru all the gears. Software is key for this part (ISTA-D).

I tapped out of doing it myself when I started to envision my car up on 4 Jackstands while I tried to rev the engine up, cycle thru gears, monitor tranny temp, and crawl back/forth under vehicle to fill.
What could possibly go wrong? ha ha. Plus I'm getting too old to be squeezed in that tight under vehicles. A guy really needs a lift.

Attached is a PDF of the ZF procedure for those out there that have never seen it.

@StradaRedlands - you may want to consider having your Mechtronic sleeve replaced next time you service @ ~150k mi. (and have the other solenoid seals inspected) It's relatively inexpensive ($15 part) when compared to the labor costs involved with servicing.

Thanks for the encouragement! I thought long and hard about doing it, but all the negatives you mentioned came into play so I took it to the local indy. If I'm being honest, will probably do that again @ 150k as well. I love working on these cars, but there are a few jobs that have just a few too many moving pieces to be fun!

[ctcarbonari]

There's always the Get'er done method.

Once initial fill complete, drop the car, drive it around until you get to the tranny temp range, then steadily accelerate thru all the gears, bring it back, lift it up & top it off.

But yeah, I don't mind giving my Indy a bit of $$$ to take care of ZF Transmission Servicing. He knows I'm an average DIY'er and has helped me out with input on other tasks.

I'm sure he fully knows that when the "Big BMW Boo Boos" happen, he'll see me in his shop with a sad face and a fist full of $$$....lol

[VTMike]

Just hit 90k on my '14 535xd.
Reached out to the dealer to inquire about a tranny flush and they said not to bother.
Here's the specific quote:
"BMW does not have a transmission service recommendation. It is considered to have life time fluid. And at the mileage you are at I would not recommend it."
When I said, 'you sure', the reply was:
"What I seen with serving the transmission is that at high mileages replacing the fluid changes the pressures in the transmission and could cause damage to it. If at this time it is shifting ok, I would let it be."

Independent BMW-speciality shop quoted me ≈ $800.


Not inexpensive, so I'm looking for $0.02 from this group.

[walmark]

BMW considers transmission fluid a “Lifetime Fill”, same with coolant.
However, ZF - the actual manufacturer of the ZF8 auto transmission, recommends fluid changes every 60k miles/100k km/8 years.
You have to choose who you believe to be correct.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/sea/en/af...on-oil-change/

[VTMike]

That's my leaning, too.
I watched the FCP Euro ZF Service video and I'm leaning in the direction that it's penny-wise, dollar-foolish to delay until I'm having problems.

Does $800 seem like a good price?

[ctcarbonari]

$850 is what my Indy charged (OEM Pan/Filter + LifeGuard8 Oil + Mechtronic Sleeve). They are not the cheapest around, but well qualified & have BMW Certified Techs.

[VTMike]

This sounds similar to the folks I got the quote from...
"SAME TECHS + SAME PARTS + SAME TOOLS
Everyone on our team has direct training from BMW with extensive experience working at BMW service centers. Not all BMW technicians are the same ! We only hire the top techs with the most experience and expertise.
BMW is the ONLY brand we work on, nobody knows these cars better than us!"